Eating Recovery Center is an eating disorder treatment facility that offers a virtual intensive outpatient program (IOP) called Eating Recovery At Home. This virtual IOP can treat various eating disorders through group, individual, and family therapy, and nutrition counseling. Eating Recovery Center accepts most major insurance plans and self-pay rates are available.
Eating Recovery Center At a Glance
Cost: Varies depending on provider
Insurance Accepted? Yes
Pros & Cons of Eating Recovery Center
Pros - At-home virtual intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Ability to treat co-occurring mood and anxiety disorders
- Support for families and caregivers
- Covered by most commercial insurance plans
- Program includes three group sessions: individual, family, and nutrition therapy session
Cons - Virtual care only available in 12 states
- Hard to clarify out-of-pocket costs
- Families and caregivers of children and teens need to be prepared to invest their own time alongside the patient receiving treatment
Preview Eating Recovery Center
Eating Recovery Center is an eating disorder treatment facility that offers a virtual intensive outpatient program (IOP) called Eating Recovery At Home. Eating Recovery At Home can treat anyone 12+, with specialized programming for children, teens, and adults. Co-occurring mood and anxiety disorders can also be treated. Eating Recovery Center works to ensure its virtual IOP reflects its in-person programming, therefore groups are structured for greater engagement and connection. Family and caregiver involvement is an important and vital part of programming through Eating Recovery Center.
Eating Recovery Center’s Recovery at Home costs vary based on each individual’s insurance coverage. You must reach out to them directly in order to begin exploring what your individual costs will look like. Eating Recovery Center accepts most major insurance plans and self-pay rates are available. Eating Recovery Center can provide superbills to patients who need them.
Eating Recovery Center’s Eating Recovery At Home could be an especially great option for college students or busy young professionals needing more support than their outpatient team can provide. Eating Recovery Center’s Eating Recovery At Home meets the needs of some but many not for everyone. Those needing a higher level of care, and those with substance use or trauma as the primary presenting issue will need to seek out an alternative.
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Eating Recovery Center – Key Takeaways
- Eating Recovery Center works to ensure their virtual IOP reflects their in-person programming, therefore groups are structured for greater engagement and connection.
- Family and caregiver involvement is an important and vital part of programming through Eating Recovery Center.
- Eating Recovery Center provides alumni support, including a free support group among other resources, such as Community Outreach Liaisons for check-ins, webinars and online events, and local community events..
- Programming is evidence-based and specialized, including specialized programming for addressing binge eating, mood and anxiety disorder treatment, and treatment specific for children, adolescents, and adults.
- Strong clinical provider qualifications and access to continuing education for clinicians, ensuring providers know how to work effectively with eating disorders.
Best In-Patient Treatment for Eating Disorders
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What is Eating Recovery Center?
Eating Recovery Center’s virtual intensive outpatient treatment program treats eating disorders in 12 states. Eating Recovery At Home can treat anyone 12+, with specialized programming for children, teens, and adults. Co-occurring mood and anxiety disorders can also be treated. Eating Recovery Center is covered by most commercial insurance plans.
Eating Recovery Center’s virtual IOP, Eating Recovery At Home, can help treat eating disorders such as anorexia, atypical anorexia, ARFID, binge eating disorder, bulimia, compulsive overeating, diabulimia, and OSFED. The virtual IOP includes group, individual, and family therapy alongside nutrition counseling. In individual and group sessions, modalities used by clinicians focus on skills for emotion regulation and coping.
These modalities include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Radically Open DBT, Exposure Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Emotion-focused family therapy (EFFT) deepens caregivers’ understanding and helps them process. Nutrition counseling focuses on nutritional rehabilitation and helping individuals make peace with food.
Getting admitted starts with a free assessment call with a master’s-level clinician. From there, it is determined if virtual IOP is the right level of care, as Eating Recovery Center also offers in-person care in the form of IOP, partial hospitalization program (PHP), residential, and inpatient treatment. If virtual IOP is the right fit, then the patient is matched with their treatment team based on the needed programming and the state where they are located.
Patients attend both individual and group treatments. Some groups focus on skills while others focus on processing. Treatment also includes mealtime support, cooking classes, and group meals for structure and accountability. In the Eating Recovery At Home, you can expect to use Recovery Record to track meals and mood. I use Recovery Record in the outpatient setting as well and find it to be a helpful way to involve your providers in your challenges and successes in real-time. Families and caregivers can be expected to be involved in the treatment of minors and must be available while the minor is in both individual and group sessions as well as meals.
How Much Does Eating Recovery Center Cost?
Eating Recovery Center’s Recovery at Home costs vary based on each individual’s insurance coverage. You must reach out to them directly in order to begin exploring what your individual costs will look like.
Does the Eating Recovery Center Accept Insurance?
Yes, Eating Recovery Center accepts insurance. The website for Eating Recovery Center Recovery at Home lists insurances including:
- United Healthcare
- Aetna
- BlueCross BlueShield
- Cigna
- Humana
- Kaiser Permanente
- Cofinity
- ComPsych
- Magellan Health
- Moda Health
- MultiPlan
- PHCS
- Rocky Mountain Health Plans
- Ascension Seton
- Value Options
Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare are not listed as insurance Eating Recovery Center works with directly.
Eating Recovery Center mentions specific Telehealth coverage for many states, including:
- Colorado
- California
- Ohio
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Washington.
Eating Recovery Center says they can help navigate using insurance for treatment, in addition to helping explore self-pay options.
Out-of-Network Benefits
Eating Recovery Center can provide a superbill to patients who need them.
How Are You Admitted To Eating Recovery Center Programs?
The process of being admitted to Eating Recovery Center starts with assessment and leads to enrollment in the program that’s right for each individual patient.
- Getting admitted to Eating Recovery Center starts with a free assessment call with a master’s-level clinician to identify an appropriate level of care for you. Call 1-866-295-5455 to start the assessment process.
- From the assessment, it is determined if virtual IOP is the right level of care.
- Eating Recovery Center can help with financial planning as early as your first phone call, collecting your insurance information, and helping identify your potential coverage.
- If virtual IOP is the right level of care, then the patient is matched with their treatment team based on the needed program and the state they are located in.
- You’ll be connected with the platform for desktop or mobile use where you’ll be able to fill out paperwork, complete orientation, communicate with your treatment team, and attend sessions and groups.
- Attend your first scheduled session.
Eating Recovery Center Treatment At Home: Detailed Review
Eating Recovery Center Eating Recovery At Home program offers a virtual IOP that includes individual and group therapy, nutrition therapy, family therapy and education, and alumni support. The program includes a blind-weight scale for weight monitoring and use of the Recovery Record App while in programming. Cost varies based on each individual’s insurance coverage.
What is Treatment Like With Eating Recovery Center?
Treatment with Eating Recovery Center’s at home program includes three, 3-hour group sessions each week, either one individual or one family therapy session and one session with a registered dietitian each week. You can expect consistency in meeting with the same providers and peers throughout programming. The length of someone’s time in the program varies person to person, and so does how long it takes to be admitted into the program. On average, treatment lasts 8-10 weeks but varies based on the individualized treatment plan. Evening sessions are available, though weekend sessions are not.
While in the program, patients will receive mealtime support and participate in cooking classes and group meals. Patients can expect to use the Recovery Record mobile app to give their treatment team access to food intake, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Patients are monitored remotely through the use of a numberless scale, which Eating Recovery Center provides in addition to a blood pressure cuff for taking vitals.
Eating Recovery Center provides support to families and caregivers, with an emphasis on Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT). For kids and teens, caregivers are present for all meals and use Recovery Record to log meals. Families and caregivers have access to groups, including support groups, skills groups, educational groups, and nutrition groups. Family members and caregivers may attend some sessions with the patient while also attending some classes independent of the patient.
Having worked for this company, I know the treatment program Eating Recovery Center uses, and I know the success rates they have. With the virtual program being the same as their in-person IOP, I feel confident this is a good choice for individuals needing help with disordered eating who could benefit from at-home treatment and do not need the support provided by a higher level of care.
Who Is Eating Recovery Center Right For?
Eating Recovery Center’s virtual IOP would likely be the right fit for busy individuals 12+ who have completed a higher level of care or who need more support than outpatient therapy provides and specifically for binge eating disorders.
Individuals Who Have Completed In-Person Treatment
Those ready for a lower-level of care following completion of a higher level of care such as a residential or a partial hospitalization program. These individuals may be ready to return to aspects of daily living, such as work or school, while still receiving intensive support.
Busy Individuals Experiencing Eating Disorder Symptoms
Busy individuals that are needing more support than outpatient therapy may benefit from the Eating Recovery Center virtual program. This group may include college students, professionals, or new parents needing the ability to receive support while not leaving home for hours each day.
Individuals Struggling with Binge Eating Disorders
There is a specialized program addressing binge eating disorder and those struggling with binge eating may benefit more from Eating Recovery Center’s virtual IOP as opposed to other programs with less emphasis on binge eating specifically.
Who Might Want an Alternative to Eating Recovery Center?
Eating Recovery Center’s Eating Recovery At Home meets the needs of some but many not for everyone. Those needing a higher level of care, and those with substance use or trauma as the primary presenting issue will need to seek out an alternative.
Individuals Seeking a Higher Level of Care
Individuals needing a higher level of care for stabilization would not be a good fit for this virtual IOP. These individuals may benefit from in-person IOP or PHP programs form in-person centers like Eating Recovery Center, Center for Discovery, Renfrew Center, or Walden Behavioral.
To learn more about the Renfrew Center, read our full review of the Renfrew Center’s at-home treatment program.
Substance Use is Primary Issue
When substance use is a primary presenting issue, Eating Recovery Center will likely refer individuals elsewhere. Eating Recovery Center asks patients to refrain from substance use while in their care. Discovery Behavioral Health of which Center for Discovery is a part of might be a better fit for individuals with both substance use and eating disorder symptoms presenting. For more information about their virtual program, you can read our comprehensive review of Center for Discovery.
Trauma is Primary Issue
Like substance use, when trauma is a primary presenting issue, Eating Recovery Center may refer elsewhere. Eating Recovery Center can work with some trauma, but primary symptoms relating to trauma may not be a good fit for this program. The Meadows may be a better fit for individuals needing trauma treatment. Or if you are seeking an online medication management program, we suggest reading our detailed guide about the Best Online MAT Programs.
Eating Recovery Center User Reviews
Finding user reviews specific to the Eating Recovery At Home virtual IOP was difficult. Most of the reviews I found were about the in-person programs. These reviews ranged from the program was lifesaving to the staff gave patients a positive experience. However some users felt they had their autonomy taken away while in treatment. The virtual IOP will not have the same issues or in-person support as the physical treatment facilities.
We will continue to look for user reviews of the virtual IOP offered by the Eating Recovery Center.
Eating Recovery Center Vs Competitors
Eating Recovery Center has some similarities as well as some differences compared to some of their competitors, including Center for Discovery and Equip Health.
Eating Recovery Center Vs Center for Discovery
Center for Discovery also offers virtual online eating disorder treatment. Through Center for Discovery, virtual treatment is available in fewer states, though some states where Eating Recovery Center’s virtual IOP is not available. Additionally, Center for Discovery does offer two partial hospitalization programs (PHP) virtually in Florida and Georgia.
Modalities used by Eating Recovery Center and Center for Discovery are similar, including CBT, DBT, and exposure therapy. Both centers accept most major commercial insurances, excluding Medicare or Medicaid. You can learn all about what their IOP program offers by reading our in-depth review of the Center for Discovery.
Eating Recovery Center Vs Equip Health
Equip provides all virtual treatment. While Equip does require patients to be medically stable, they report admitting patients who do otherwise meet criteria for higher levels of care. Equip could be right for individuals needing treatment at a higher level of care but unable or unwilling to attend in-person treatment.
Treatment through Equip uses similar modalities to those used by both the Eating Recovery Center and Center for Discovery. Equip also accepts most major commercial insurances along with a private pay option. Equip was established in 2019 and is therefore the newest option discussed in this review. The clinical aspects of some newer online therapy companies such as Equip may be under development in comparison to centers such as Eating Recovery Center and Center for Discover that have many more years of experience.
You can read more about their virtual program by reading our comprehensive review of Equip Health.
History of Eating Recovery Center
The Eating Recovery Center was founded in 2008, and the virtual IOP in 2016. Eating Recovery Center was founded by Drs Ken Weiner and Emmet Bishop with a focus on individualized and evidence-based treatment.1 Eating Recovery Center has and continues to expand in an effort to meet the need for eating disorder treatment.
The clinical model and teams at Eating Recovery Center have been in place for almost 15 years. The virtual IOP clinical curriculum is modeled after onsite programs that have been proven clinically effective. Further, with over 7,000 patients that have been through the At Home virtual IOP program, there are patient results and outcomes that show significant clinical improvement from baseline to post-treatment. Eating Recovery Center continuously researches outcomes and patient satisfaction and publishes findings in peer-reviewed journals.
Final Verdict on Eating Recovery Center
Eating disorders have some of the highest mortality rates among mental illnesses and can be resistant to treatment. Finding effective treatment is so important. I would ultimately recommend Eating Recovery Center’s virtual IOP. Eating Recovery Center models their virtual IOP after their in-person IOP, and I think they’re successful in maintaining many of the same things that make their in-person programming effective.
Having worked in all levels of care at Eating Recovery Center in the past, I feel confident in the training that’s given to clinicians to treat eating disorders effectively. Even now that I work in the outpatient setting and in my own private practice, I still refer my own clients to both the Eating Recovery Center and to their mood and anxiety programming through Pathlight. I think Eating Recovery Center’s Eating Recovery At Home could be an especially great option for college students or busy young professionals needing more support than their outpatient team can provide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eating Recovery Center
Frequently Asked Questions
What Credentials do Eating Recovery Center Providers Hold?
Therapists and counselors at Eating Recovery Center are at least master’s level and hold licenses including LPCs, LMFTs, and LCSWs. Having worked at the Eating Recovery Center myself, I am familiar with the special training available to clinicians. Clinicians do receive training specific to working with eating disorders. There are many introduction videos available throughout the Eating Recovery Center website, including of the virtual clinical team.
How Am I Connected With a Provider at Eating Recovery Center?
Individuals are matched with their treatment team based on the needed virtual IOP program and the state they are located in.
Can I Change Providers?
A potential change in provider, when possible, is discussed on an individual basis to determine what would be most therapeutic.
Can I use my FSA or HSA Funds?
Yes, Eating Recovery Center accepts FSA/HSA cards. Learn more about the use of HSA for mental health.
How Do I End l My Stay with Eating Recovery Center?
Eating Recovery Center is not a subscription or account-based service. Termination will happen upon completion of the length of stay, typically about 8-10 weeks, and will be discussed with your treatment team. Some individuals do discharge for other reasons than successful completion, including discharging against medical advice (AMA).
Does Eating Recovery Center Offer Refunds?
It is not likely that you would receive a refund for treatment received through Eating Recovery Center. You can reach Eating Recovery Center at 1-866-955-2716 or [email protected] for more information.
Is Eating Recovery Center HIPAA Compliant?
Eating Recovery Center and their virtual IOP platform are HIPAA compliant. You can visit their privacy policy and terms and conditions for more information.
Summary Table of What Eating Recovery Center Offers
| Cost of Online Eating Disorder Treatment | Cost varies based on each individual’s insurance coverage |
| Age Limitations | 12+ |
| Eating Disorders Treated | Anorexia, atypical anorexia, ARFID, binge eating disorder, bulimia, compulsive overeating, diabulimia, and OSFED |
| Geographic Coverage | Virtual IOP available in 12 states: Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, Texas, Illinois, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, South Carolina, and Florida |
| Insurance Plans Accepted | In-network with all major commercial insurance providers, including Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, United, Cigna, and many others |
| Provider Choices | Matched |
| Can You Change People on Your Treatment Team? | Case by Case Basis |
| Speed to First Appointments | Depends on space availability, medical status, acuity of the illness, and past treatment history of the patient |
| Frequency of Appointments | Weekly:
|
| Messaging With Providers Between Appointments | Yes |
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Eating recovery center: Leading the way to recovery. The Silicon Review. (n.d.). https://thesiliconreview.com/magazine/profile/eating-recovery-center-leading-the-way-to-recovery
We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred. We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. Read more about our editorial policies here.
Author: Amanda Stretcher, MA (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Scored Eating Recovery Center on objective scoring criteria, added star rating breakdown, and added “Why You Can Trust My Review” section. Reviewed and revised the article for factual accuracy and readability.
Author: Amanda Stretcher, MA (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Added review summary block, new editorial rating and breakdown, and all related page features.
Author: Amanda Stretcher, MA
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD
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