?Support and Resources for Parents

Parent Toolkit

• The National Eating Disorders Association provides a valuable web based “Tool Kit” for parents that offers a wealth of information about eating disorders, treatment options and insurance options.

Support Groups

These support groups are free and are provided by the WNYCCCED.
Location: Helen Wood Hall / School of Nursing, Loretta Ford Educational Wing, 255 Crittenden Boulevard, Rochester, NY 14642

• Eating Disorder Education & Skills Group
  This group aids in the healing process by providing information about treatment and research, community awareness, problem-solving strategies, and challenges that develop during the course of treatment.
  6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Meets every 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Wednesday of the month.

• Rochester Eating Disorders Network Support Group
  The Eating Disorder Network is dedicated to providing support, services and programs for family and friends of loved ones with eating disorders.
  6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Meets every 4th Wednesday of the month.

Suggested Reading

• 13 signs your teenager may have an eating disorder
• Anorexia and Bulimia in the Family
• I'm Like, So Fat!
• Life Without Ed
• Surviving an Eating Disorder

Treatment and Education Resources

• Northeast Comprehensive Care Center for Eating Disorders (NECCCED)
  1-888-747-4727
  www.amc.edu/Patient/services/NECCCED/index.html
• Metropolitan Comprehensive Care Center (Metro)
  1-877-669-2332
  https://www.columbiapsychiatry.org/research-clinics/eating-disorders-clinic
• Western New York Comprehensive Care Center for Eating Disorders
  1-800-700-4573
  www.nyeatingdisorders.org/
• The Healing Connection
  (585) 641-0281
  TheHealingConnectionInc.org
• Alliance for Eating Disorder Awareness
  www.eatingdisorderinfo.org
• Maudsley Parents - Family based treatment for eating disorders - Website
  MaudsleyParents.org
• National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders
  www.anad.org
• National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)
  www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
• National Eating Disorders Information Center (Canada)
  nedic.ca
• F.E.A.S.T. (Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders)
  https://www.feast-ed.org/
• Academy for Eating Disorders
  https://www.aedweb.org/

Insurance

Once a course of treatment has been decided for you or your child, you have to understand insurance. If you are acting on behalf of a minor, and it is your child, you can usually act on their behalf without further permissions. If the individual you are trying to assist is over the age of 18, make sure that you have their signed permission in advance to contact the insurance company and medical providers on their behalf. The office will provide you with a consent form. Without signed consent, medical providers don't have the authority to release information.

Obtain a copy of the policy (either from your employer or directly from the insurance company). Every policy and plan is different. Read the policy, ask questions and take notes. Document the name of the person you talk to, the date and time, and the number that you called, along with detailed notes on the conversation.

After reading the policy once, re-read the sections focusing on behavioral health benefits. These may be couched as mental health benefits, but they refer to the same type of treatment. Also, note if dietician visits are covered, this may also be referred to as medical nutrition therapy or MNT. Look for specifics involving in-patient vs. out-patient vs. residential programs, as well as in-network vs. out of network limitations. Look for any preauthorization requirements for treatment. Some facilities have social workers who can assist you and are knowledgeable about insurance.

Don't be afraid to ask questions.

The National Association of Eating Disorders also provides useful information regarding insurance.