Getting Insurance Payments for Eating Disorder Treatment

Working in the mental health field, I hear stories about what it's like to try to get payment from an insurance company that seems to be well within your policy. Here's my composite "conversation" between claimant and insurance company, carried out over several months:

Claimant: Here's my claim.
Insurance company (after two weeks): You forgot to fill out this part.
Claimant: Okay, here's a fixed copy.
Ins. Co. (after two weeks): We don't cover that.
Claimant: My policy says right here that you do.
Ins. Co. (after two weeks): Oh, you're right. But you don't have the right information in your claim paperwork for that problem.
Claimant: Fine. Here's the updated form. I also have another set of expenses for reimbursement. Does my policy cover this treatment?
Ins. Co. (after two weeks): We can't tell you until you submit a claim. Oh, and by the way, we can't find any revised claim from you for the previous issue. Are you sure you sent it in?
Claimant: You work for Evil, don't you?
Ins. Co. (immediately): Only on weekends. I'm busy working for Chaos during the week.

And if you somehow manage to get payment, it turns out to be a piddling reimbursement. It's no wonder that many people don't bother with insurance, and more importantly, don't bother with pursuing treatment. For eating disorders, it's worse, because insurance companies just aren't sure yet that long-term care is any more helpful than short-term.

Ridiculous, I say. And pursuing insurance payments doesn't have to be a dead-end process. Others have gone before you, and it pays to learn from their wisdom.

• Being resourceful, relentless, and smart in getting insurance reimbursement
• Treatment options for which you might need eating disorder insurance coverage
• Groups are often a less expensive option
• Why eating disorders seem to relieve stress while adding stress
• A different guide to healthy eating