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Sending Hope Issue #16

Finding affordable treatment, because you deserve recovery. 

Hello ,

Affording ongoing treatment for an eating disorder is tough at any time, and even more so if you’ve been financially impacted by COVID-19. In this issue of Sending Hope, we’re taking you through some options for cost-effective eating disorder treatment in Victoria. If you’re looking for more guidance or help navigating the service system, please get in touch with our Hub. A reminder that all information provided in the newsletter is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice.

Before we get into it....

A reminder that you are worthy of treatment. You deserve to recover and live a life free from the shackles of an eating disorder. Just like your super is invested for your retirement, try to think of treatment as an investment in your health. You are doing this so that in the future you can live your life with freedom.

Stefan also struggled to afford treatment for his eating disorder. He has now recovered and works as a Peer Mentor at EDV. Watch Stefan's story below. 

Public health options

Many people jump to the private system as a first port of call for treatment, however our public health system in Victoria has a number of well-established eating disorder treatment options for both children and adults that have no out of pocket expense. This can involve treatment in the community through a multidisciplinary team of clinicians (such as psychologists, dietitians, social workers, occupational therapists etc.), as well as more intensive treatment through public hospital inpatient, outpatient and day programs. Referral into the public health system usually comes via your GP, however you can also self-refer to your local mental health service. Services are divided based on geographical area. To find contact details of mental health services based on your area, see here. Once you have made contact with your local triage line, you will be advised on the next steps and what you may be eligible for.

As with many public health services there can be wait lists and for some services eligibility criteria requirements. However, we still encourage you to speak to your doctor or your local triage line about your options.

Eating Disorder Plan through Medicare

In November 2019 the federal government introduced new Medicare funding for eating disorder treatment. This has allowed doctors to create Eating Disorder Plans (EDP) for people who meet the eligibility criteria. The EDP is designed to make ongoing treatment with private clinicians more affordable. The EDP gives you access to up to 40 Medicare subsidised sessions with a mental health clinician, and 20 with a dietitian.

If you are able to find clinicians that offer bulk billing, you will have no out of pocket expenses for treatment sessions. However, the vast majority of clinicians who specialise in treating people with eating disorders will charge an additional gap payment. This is because eating disorders are a specialized field that clinicians can spend many years training in. For example, a 50-minute session with a psychologist may cost $200. Medicare will cover $124.50 and you will pay the remaining $75.50. You have access to this rebate 40 times per year. In this scenario, if you used all 40 sessions with your psychologist over the course of a year, you would save $4980! Learn more about Eating Disorder Plans through Medicare on our website here.
 

Subsidized options through work or uni

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are on offer at some workplaces and support employees to confidentially access mental health support services. Speak to your employer or HR manager to see if your workplace has an EAP that you can tap into.

If you are enrolled at a university, you will have access mental health support services. These services are often free or low cost, and can be a good starting point if you are needing help finding other low-cost services that you are eligible for. 

Complimentary low-cost support options

Sometimes the cost of clinical services can feel so overwhelming that you may want to disengage from treatment all together. Instead of giving up all treatment, you might consider spacing appointments with professionals and using lower cost options between sessions. We encourage you to speak to your treatment team about potential options to support you between appointments. These could include:

- Guided self-help through books (particularly if you are experiencing BED or bulimia, EDV recommend this one)
- EDV’s Peer Mentoring Program
- Support groups through EDV or the Butterfly Foundation
- Stories of Recovery events through EDV
 

Know what you are eligible for

With many people facing changed financial circumstances due to COVID-19, it’s important to know if you are eligible for government assistance, such as Concession Cards and Health Care Card. These can give you access to concession rates with some clinicians, as well as bulk billed options.
 

Finally, talk to your clinicians about your circumstance

If you’re struggling to afford treatment, we encourage you to have honest conversations with your clinicians. Some clinicians may be able to offer alternative options for treatment, such as shorter sessions, complimentary supports or even a lower fee. If you don’t have the conversation with them you will never know!

For urgent support please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14

Eating Disorders Victoria respect and welcome diversity of culture, religion, gender and sexuality.