AMA Calls for Improved Coverage for Eating Disorder Treatment

New policy adopted by the American Medical Association (AMA) at its annual meeting in Chicago, IL (June 11-15, 2016) calls for equal health care access and payment for eating disorders.

Despite current federal law that mandates parity in benefit levels for eating disorders, the association said many health insurers fail to offer parity of services. In other words, eating disorders are effectively excluded from mental health parity, the AMA argues.

“Testimony expressed concern that while eating disorders are mental health conditions and should be covered under mental health parity regulations, necessary health care services for eating disorders have been specifically excluded by some health insurers,” stated an AMA reference committee that endorsed the policy.

The association’s House of Delegates adopted the measure as recommended.

“Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, but too often a patient’s care is determined by their insurance company instead of their health needs,” said Barbara L. McAneny, MD, a former AMA board chair. 

“With only 1 in 10 patients with an eating disorder receiving treatment and with psychological intervention widely accepted as a critical component of care, ensuring mental health parity in benefits will save lives.”

The policy is the latest addition to existing AMA policy addressing eating disorders, mental health parity, and body image. The AMA supports payment for physical and behavioral health services on the same day, for Medicaid to cover such services in schools, and expanded research funding on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of patients with eating disorders. It also endorses research on the effectiveness of school-based programs for preadolescent children and their parents to prevent eating disorders.—Jolynn Tumolo