Financial Assistance For Eating Disorder Treatment

Inpatient treatment services for an eating disorder costs about $30,000 a month in the U.S.

Since many patients need six to eight weeks of inpatient services for an eating disorder, the cost is prohibitive for the uninsured and sometimes even for the insured. Outpatient services are also expensive, putting access to treatment out of reach for many.

Financial Help

There are a few organizations that people needing ED treatment can apply to for financial help.

Project HEAL is a non-profit U.S. and Canadian organization providing scholarship funding for people with eating disorders who cannot afford treatment. Project HEAL also promotes self-esteem, healthy body image and body acceptance.

Inpatient, residential, intensive outpatient and outpatient treatments are funded. The primary criterion for selection is the recipient’s motivation to recover.

Moonshadow’s Sprit is a fund that gives need-based financial help to people who have an eating disorder diagnosis and seek treatment at intensive partial hospitalization programs or residential facilities. The organization also works to increase eating disorder awareness and erase misconceptions about these diagnoses.

The fund honors Jennifer Mathiason, who recovered from an eating disorder after a ten year struggle and went on to support and inspire others.

The Kirsten Haglund Foundation exists to give hope, networking opportunities and financial aid to those “seeking treatment and freedom from eating disorders.” The foundation was started by former Miss America Kirsten Haglund.

Manna Fund is another nonprofit organization that gives monetary assistance to individuals needing eating disorder treatment. It funds residential and inpatient ED services when people lack insurance or have inadequate insurance coverage.

The Manna Fund also supports eating disorder prevention programs, research and education. The current application deadline is April 15, 2015.

Avalon Hills Foundation is associated with Avalon Hills Eating Disorder Programs. The Foundation helps individuals in need of eating disorder treatment by awarding grants and promotes ED awareness through advocacy, research and education.

Sources: Project Heal; Moon Shadow Spirit; Kirsten Haglund; Manna Fund; Avalon Hills Foundation
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