There’s Help. There’s Hope! The Emily Program is a warm and welcoming place where individuals and their families can find comprehensive treatment for eating disorders and related issues. This blog is a place for us to share the latest happenings at The Emily Program, as well as helpful tidbits from the broader eating disorder community. Subscribe via RSS to receive automatic updates. We want to hear your story. Email us (blog@emilyprogram.com) and ask how you can become a contributor!
Seeking help for an eating disorder is a powerful step toward recovery. Many say it’s the hardest one. But if the treatment that’s right for you is not available right away, you may find yourself facing another challenge: a waiting period before care begins.
We know how hard this can be. We’re here to support you with the resources you need to navigate this time.
The pandemic’s impact on eating disorders is profound and ongoing. Over the past few years, we have witnessed a dramatic increase not only in eating disorders but also in the severity of symptoms. Consider the following statistics, excerpted from the Eating Disorders Coalition’s letter to Admiral Rachel L. Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
In short, the demand for eating disorder care has never been higher. Organizations like The Emily Program and our sibling brand Veritas Collaborative are actively working to expand access to treatment with additional services and programs—but still, the need is great. Consistent with national trends, some of our programs are seeing waitlists due to the dramatic increase in demand.
Wait times vary by treatment program and location. You will know there is an opening in the program you’re waiting for through communication with your Admissions Coordinator. They will contact you after your eating disorder assessment and keep you informed at regular intervals until you are admitted into the program.
We encourage you to stay connected with your community-based providers while you wait for treatment to begin. Continue to see your community medical provider and any mental health, nutrition, or psychiatry professionals in the meantime.
Please consider giving your community providers written consent for them to share information with The Emily Program by completing this Release of Information form. The exchange of information between providers can be especially useful in guiding care decisions.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have questions about the waitlist, have found care elsewhere, or decided against seeking care with us at this time. We want to hear from you.
While you wait, you might question whether it is worth it to proceed with treatment or feel disheartened with waiting. This is understandable. We want you to know that you are not alone in these feelings, and there are resources available to you during this time.
The National Alliance for Eating Disorders offers free virtual support groups led by licensed eating disorder clinicians. Among them are weekly Pro-Recovery Support Groups for adults affected by an eating disorder and Friends & Family Support Groups for loved ones.
Learn more and register on The Alliance’s website.
Hear speakers share their personal stories of dedication and perseverance on the road to recovery from eating disorders. Speakers include Emily Program staff, former clients, and community members. These community-based discussions around recovery are led by Emily Program clinicians.
Recovery Night is free and open to the public; anyone is invited to attend, including clients, support people, and the community. We know healing is not an easy journey but you can find hope here. Find the Recovery Night schedule below.
2265 Como Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55108
Upcoming dates: None currently scheduled
2230 Como Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55108
Upcoming dates: None currently scheduled
1700 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 700
Seattle, WA 98109
Please note that on nights a Recovery Night speaker cannot be secured, an Emily Program Expert Series Q&A will be hosted.
Upcoming dates:
April 19th: Join us via Zoom
Your experience on the path to recovery can inspire others and affirm that there is hope. If you are willing to share your recovery story in a genuine and honest way, please contact us. We’d love to hear from you!
Kristen Myers
1-888-364-5977 ext. 1806
We know how overwhelming an eating disorder diagnosis can be for families and friends. The terminology. The process. The uncertainties. Share an evening with us to learn about eating disorders, our personalized treatment programs, and the path to recovery. Our knowledgeable staff at The Emily Program answer common concerns of families and friends facing eating disorder issues for the first time. You’ll leave with valuable resources and a better understanding of this serious mental health issue. We recommend family and friends who are new to eating disorders attend this session at least once before joining a Friends and Family Session for a better experience in the group.
Virtual Event: Eating Disorders 101, Hosted by Madeleine Manders, Therapist at our Seattle outpatient location: 2nd Thursday of the month, 6–7pm PT, 8-9pm CT, 9-10pm ET.
Upcoming dates: Feb 9, Mar 9, Apr 13, May 11, Jun 8, Jul 13, Aug 10, Sep 14, Oct 12, Nov 9, Dec 14. Join us via Zoom.
The Emily Program offers free evening Friends and Family Sessions open to the public. No need to register; just drop in. (Please note: This group is intended for family and friends providing support to loved ones with an eating disorder. If you are a client or potential client, please attend our ED 101 or Recovery Night events if you would like to learn more.)
Virtual Event: Friends and Family Session, Hosted by Kylie Kirkwood, MSW, LSWAIC, Program Therapist at our Seattle outpatient location: 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month, 6–7pm PT, 8-9pm CT, 9-10pm ET.
Upcoming dates: Feb 2, Mar 2, Apr 6, May 4, Jun 1, Jul 6, Aug 3, Sep 7, Oct 5, Nov 2, Dec 7.Join us via Zoom
And: Feb 16, Mar 16, Apr 20, May 18, Jun 15, Jul 20, Aug 17, Sep 21, Oct 19, Nov 16, Dec 21. Join us via Zoom
Join us on social media for “Ask an Expert” live. Dr. Jillian Lampert answers common questions about eating disorders, treatment, and recovery from our social media followers.
Ask an Expert Instagram live: Friday, March 24th, 10:00am PT, 12:00pm CT, 1:00pm ET.
There’s Help. There’s Hope! The Emily Program is a warm and welcoming place where individuals and their families can find comprehensive treatment for eating disorders and related issues. We want to hear your story. Email us (blog@emilyprogram.com) and ask how you can become a contributor to our blog or podcast.
Please access the nearest Emergency Department or call 911 in case of a life-threatening medical or mental health emergency.
Find inspiration, education, and encouragement wherever you go with the With Me When app.
With Me When was designed by eating disorder clinicians as a companion to treatment and recovery. The following features are at your fingertips:
With the ability to customize logs and more, you can tailor the With Me When experience so that it’s uniquely yours. If you’re an Emily Program client, you can also complete your client paperwork and receive appointment alerts through the app.
Access the web version of With Me When here.
If a service is ‘covered’ by your insurance that means it is included in your benefits. Those benefits also determine the portion of out-of-pocket cost associated with the service.
If a service is excluded, it is not included in your benefits. You may choose to pursue that service and pay for it yourself.
The total cost of treatment is determined by your benefits at the time services were provided. This includes network status, out-of-pocket payments made year-to-date, insurance pricing for these services, and The Emily Program’s contract with each insurance company. These factors (among many others) affect how a claim is processed and paid by insurance – and with this many variables, it isn’t possible to provide estimated total out-of-pocket costs with accuracy.
Insurance may require additional permissions (authorizations) be obtained by The Emily Program before services can be provided. Authorizations for service generally are obtained by The Emily Program prior to the service being rendered.
“Coordination of Benefits” is an annual requirement for all insurance companies to determine if additional insurance coverage exists. If dual insurance coverage does exist, Coordination of Benefits will determine which plan is primary, and which plan is secondary. If Coordination of Benefits is needed on your plan, all services billed will be denied and you will be responsible for 100% of the amount owed.
When dual-insurance coverage exists, one of the plans identifies as primary, i.e., the ‘first in line’ to pay for your healthcare services. The other will identify as secondary. Services are billed to both insurance plans prior to deductible or co-insurance costs being billed to the client. Call your insurance provider to have Coordination of Benefits set up with both plans prior to claims being processed through insurance (see above).
The Emily Program submits claims to insurance based on the service rendered, the amount of time for each service, the medical information required (i.e. diagnosis code), and the contract we have with the insurance company. Claims cannot be adjusted to accommodate your benefits.
For additional questions and information regarding your benefits, please contact the Customer Service Line on the back of your insurance card.
Please call The Emily Program Client Accounts Team with questions regarding the services you have received, clarification on your statement, and payment plan options: 1-888-364-5977, ext. 1357.
You and your loved ones are the best advocates for your own benefits. The Emily Program will contact your insurance company for a general quote of benefits after scheduling your intake appointment, but to determine how much of the cost of your care you are responsible for, you must contact your insurance provider personally.
Our insurance verification tool will help guide you through this conversation. This tool includes everything you will need to have ready for the phone call to your insurance company to get an estimate of your insurance benefits while you are at The Emily Program.
If you continue to have trouble receiving adequate coverage from your insurance company or if you’re unclear on the terminology, please read our:
If you are unable to get the information you need, another option is to call your insurance company’s ‘Health Advocate’ or ‘Case Manager’ department. These insurance representatives are dedicated to helping you understand and navigate your benefits. (Look for a phone number or other contact information on the back of your insurance card.)
Note: This list is subject to change. Please use our insurance verification tool and contact your insurance company for coverage details. The Emily Program works with the following insurers so you receive the highest level of benefits.
Remember to bring your insurance card with you to your appointments.
*In-network coverage in King County
If The Emily Program is not “in-network” under your insurance policy, you may be able to utilize out-of-network benefits. Not all insurance companies cover all services, so be sure to check with your specific insurance policy about coverage.
If your insurance company is not on the list, there may be other options. Coverage may still be available out-of-network or on a case-by-case basis. Call us at 1-888-364-5977, ext. 1612 to start the process.
When you begin the admissions process, you can expect to speak with a compassionate staff member who truly understands the complexities of eating disorders. We honor your trust in us and we keep everything that you share with us confidential.
Reach out to our admissions team at 1-888-364-5977, or complete our online contact form. We’re here when you need us—7 days a week. We’ll answer any questions, talk about what you’re experiencing, collect basic information (name, contact info, and insurance details), and schedule your eating disorder assessment.
During your assessment, you’ll be asked a series of questions related to your relationship with food and your body. We’ll evaluate your symptoms and unique needs to develop a treatment plan that’s right for you, answering any questions along the way.
After your assessment, you’ll be contacted by an Admissions Coordinator, who will guide you through the medical, financial, and logistical aspects of admission. They will keep you informed and involved to make your transition to care as smooth as possible.
As we rise to meet the unprecedented demand for eating disorder services, you or your loved one may need to wait to begin treatment. Wait times vary by program, and you will know when there is an opening through regular communication with your Admissions Coordinator.
Note: Please see our COVID-19 policies for information on what to expect.
That first phone call or email to The Emily Program feels huge. We know. Many of us have been there, too. That’s why our team walks with you through the eating disorder assessment and eating disorder treatment process, explaining the details and answering questions every step of the way. You can do this.
Our simple admissions process begins with an eating disorder assessment. (We accept self-referrals and provider referrals from across the country and around the globe.) If you have questions about insurance coverage, refer to our Insurance resources.
To begin the eating disorder assessment process, take a moment now to complete our online form or call our admissions team 7 days a week at 1-888-364-5977.
Call 888-364-5977 for help now.
The Emily Program is a University of Minnesota Medical School Affiliate
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