Access to Intensive Eating Disorder Services Among Medicaid Beneficiaries

A recent study published in Psychiatric Services assesses the availability of intensive eating disorder treatment services for Medicaid beneficiaries across the U.S. The study’s authors included several Westat staff.

Using Medicaid claims, treatment center data, and census information, researchers identified 384 centers providing intensive eating disorder treatment services across 45 states and the District of Columbia—5 states had no such centers. Only around 25% of the identified treatment centers accepted Medicaid, and more than 90% accepted commercial insurance. States with fewer Medicaid-accepting centers tended to have larger populations, higher levels of urbanization, and more treatment centers operated by large chains. Medicaid reimbursement rates were not significantly associated with access, though data were unavailable for many states.

The study found that Medicaid beneficiaries with intensive care needs often had to travel long distances or cross state lines to obtain care. The authors conclude that further research is needed to better understand the unmet needs and challenges in accessing treatment services for this population.

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State-Level Analysis of Access to Intensive Eating Disorder Care for Medicaid Beneficiaries

Rikki Welch, MA; Tanvi Rao, PhD; Mustafa Karakus, PhD; Emma Scott; Amanda Doreson, MPA; and Sushmita Shoma Ghose, PhD