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AMA calls for equal health care access for eating disorders

Delegates at the AMA annual meeting adopted new policy on equal health care access and payment for eating disorders, according to a press release from the organization.

The AMA noted that many payers exclude eating disorders from mental health parity because of a lack of service parity, despite federal laws.

"Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, but too often a patient's care is determined by their insurance company instead of their health needs," Barbara L. McAneny, MD, former AMA Board Chair. "With only one in 10 patients with an eating disorder receiving treatment and with psychological intervention widely accepted as a critical component of care, ensuring mental health parity in benefits will save lives."

According to the AMA, this new policy builds on previous AMA eating disorder policies, including encouraging same day payment for health care services, Medicaid coverage in school settings and increased funding for eating disorder research. – by Chelsea Frajerman Pardes