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:

• 62% of people in the U.S. with anorexia experienced a worsening of symptoms as the pandemic hit, and nearly one-third of Americans with bulimia and binge eating disorder reported an increase in binge eating episodes and urges, according to an ongoing study from the National Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders (NCEED)
• NEDA saw a 40% increase in helpline call volume during the first year of the pandemic
• The National Alliance for Eating Disorders saw a 108% increase in referrals and an 82% increase in support group attendance in 2020 and surpassed those figures in 2021
• Eating disorder treatment providers have seen a 30–100% increase in demand for care, with call volumes and inquiries for care doubling, increasing acuity of illness, and wait times expanding from 1 week to 6–8 months in some areas of the country

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.

Stay connected

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.

Find support

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.

NEDA Helpline (National Eating Disorders Association)

• Call 1-800-937-2237 or text 800-931-2237 to connect with a helpline volunteer trained to provide the eating disorder support and information you need
• If you are in a crisis and need help immediately, text “NEDA” to 741741 to connect with a trained volunteer at the Crisis Text Line. Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 support via text messages to individuals who are struggling with mental health, including eating disorders, and are experiencing crisis situations.
• Visit the NEDA website for more information or to access online chat support.

ANAD Helpline (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders)

• Call 1-888-375-7767 for support, encouragement, and more.
• Visit the ANAD website for more information.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

• If you are in crisis, there are options available to help you cope. For confidential support available 24/7 for everyone in the United States, call or text 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Chat services are also available.
• Visit the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline website for more information or to access chat support.

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:

• Logs to track meals, behaviors, feelings, and goals
• Tools to develop coping skills
• Exercises to support mindfulness and relaxation
• Insights to better understand eating disorders and the recovery process

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.

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.

• What will your Insurance Pay?
• Insurance Terms and Definitions
• Health Insurance FAQs

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:

• Insurance Terms & Definitions
• Frequently Asked Questions

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.)

• What will your Insurance Pay?
• Insurance Terms and Definitions
• Health Insurance FAQs

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.

• America’s PPO
• BlueCross BlueShield
• Group Health Cooperative (GHC)
• HealthPartners
• Humana/LifeSynch
• Medica/United Behavioral Health/Optum
• Medical Assistance
• Medicare
• MMSI/Mayo Health Solutions
• PreferredOne
• SelectCare
• South Country Health Alliance
• UCare

• Aetna
• Anthem BlueCross BlueShield
• Apex Health Solutions
• AultCare
• Beacon Health Options
• CareSource
• Cigna
• Humana/LifeSynch
• HealthSmart
• Molina Healthcare
• Medical Mutual of Ohio
• Mutual Health Services
• Ohio Health/Optima Health
• OSU Health Plan
• SummaCare
• UnitedHealthcare/Optum

• Highmark
• UPMC

• Aetna 
• Amerigroup
• Asuris Northwest Health
• Cigna
• Community Health Plan of Washington
• Coordinated Care*
• First Choice Health Network
• GAIP
• Kaiser Permanente
• Molina Healthcare
• Premera BlueCross
• Regence BlueShield
• United Behavioral Health/United Healthcare/Optum
• UHC Community Plan*

*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.

• What will your Insurance Pay?
• Insurance Terms and Definitions
• Health Insurance FAQs

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.

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.