Eating Disorder Treatment and Resources

Eating Disorders are complex physical and mental illness that affect all different ages, races, genders, body shapes, and weights. They often occur alongside depression, anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Eating disorders are serious and can be life threatening. They can have serious effects on a person’s health, relationships, and life. Recovery is possible with proper diagnosis, assessment, and treatment.

There are several types of eating disorders:

• Anorexia Nervosa
• Bulimia Nervosa
• Binge Eating Disorder
• Orthorexia
• Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED)
• Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
• Pica
• Rumination Disorder
• Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder
• Laxative Abuse
• Compulsive Exercise

If you are concerned about yourself or your child, please consult your primary care physician.

Signs and Symptoms

There are many physical, emotional and psychological signs. The following signs are not intended to diagnose, but rather indicate if you should consult with a physician.

• Preoccupation with food, gaining/losing weight, or body image
• Weight fluctuations
• Extreme weight loss
• Feeling cold
• Sleep issues
• Abnormal laboratory findings
• Mood swings
• Extreme concern about body size and shape
• Fainting/syncope
• Dental problems
• Dry skin and dry/brittle hair
• Swelling around salivary glands

Member Benefits

Eligible CenCal Health Members who meet medical necessity have the following covered benefits with CenCal Health:

• Hospitalization
• Partial Hospitalization for the Treatment of an Eating Disorder
• Residential Treatment for the Treatment of an Eating Disorder
• Outpatient mental health services
• Outpatient medication management

CenCal Health and the County Mental Health Plan (CMHP) work together to ensure access to Eating Disorder treatment. Here’s how it works:

• CMHP evaluates the member’s case to determine the appropriate level of care.
• A County clinician will approve and arrange admission to a treatment program, if member is eligible.
• If a member is not eligible for residential treatment center or a partial hospital program, CMHP will continue to provide outpatient treatment at a County clinic.

CMHP arranges and authorizes psychiatric inpatient care and outpatient specialty mental health services. This includes:

• Inpatient psychiatric hospitalization
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
• Outpatient therapy and medication management for eligible members

For members who have been diagnosed with an Eating Disorder, CenCal Health provides comprehensive medical case management services. This may include coordination of care to ensure access to all services the member needs.

Tips for supporting a loved one with an Eating Disorder

• Learn as much as you can about eating disorders. Know the facts.
• Be patient and non-judgmental.
• Be honest about your concerns in a calm and supportive way.
• Don’t make eating, food, clothes, or appearance the focus of conversations.