FAQ's/Resources
1. I have finally decided to get help. How do I get more information and an appointment right away?
To reach us, you can e-mail us through the Contact Us page. Our policy is to reply within 24 hours, and to schedule the first appointment within 72 hours.
2. Where are your offices?
We have 2 locations, Beachwood and Rocky River. We are also able to make home visits when necessary, though insurance usually won’t pay for such services.
3. What happens at the first appointment?
In the first sessions, the therapist will conduct a thorough evaluation, asking many questions of you, and if you are a minor, your family. It is important to get a good picture of what has been going on and what help you are looking for and need. You will leave the first session with recommendations for how to proceed and some immediate steps you can take to begin to feel better.
4. What if I am receiving counseling somewhere else and need only a dietitian?
We recognize that finding a well-trained eating disorders dietitian in N.E. Ohio is very difficult. The dietitians at The Hull Institute are experts in this field. You can see them while continuing with your current therapist. The same is true for participating in our groups.
5. I have eating issues and wonder if I can just return to the therapist I used to see for other issues?
Our years of experience confirm that people with eating disorders need to see therapists and dietitians specially trained to deal with these problems. Most therapists and dietitians agree that, without special training, they are ill-equipped to help people with eating disorders and obesity. Going to a therapist or dietitian who does not have extensive experience with eating disorders and obesity will most likely delay your recovery. This is true with addictions as well.
6. I have so many insurance questions. How can I find out of The Hull Institute is covered by my plan?
Insurance coverage and payment issues are complicated. At The Hull Institute, they will never deter us from helping you. Here’s what you need to know:
a. If you have commercial insurance through your job, parents, or spouse, call the Member Customer Service number on the back of your card. Ask if The Hull Institute, LLC and Ann Hull are in network.
- If they say yes, The Hull Institute is In Network. Ask how much your co-pay is and how many sessions you get annually.
- If they say no, we are NOT in network, ask what Out Of Network benefits you have. Once you know this, call us and we’ll help you figure out what it means and how much it will cost you. If you use your Out Of Network benefits, you must pay us up front, as you go, and the insurance company will reimburse you some portion of the fee. This amount varies from plan to plan. Call Call us, even if you think you cannot afford treatment. We’ll do our best to work with you.
- In Ohio, and as of January 1, 2010 nationally, we have Mental Health Parity. This means that insurance companies must provide the same coverage for mental health diagnoses as they provide for physical health. The co-pay are the same, they can no longer limit the number of sessions per year or the amount they will cover. This is good news for people needing long term counseling.
- There is also a new law in Ohio, effective October 1, 2009, that requires insurance companies to offer continuous coverage for one year for college students who must take medical leave from school. More good news for students with eating disorders who need intensive treatment.
b. We are in the following major networks (and some smaller ones as well)
Medical Mutual of Ohio
SummaCare
Aetna
Cigna
Cleveland Clinic Employee Health Plan
When in a network, we agree to accept what that network will pay. You are responsible for your co-pay and/or co-insurance.
c. We accept Caresource, Wellcare and Buckeye Medicaid HMO’s. Straight Ohio Medicaid will not pay for you to see us.
d. We accept Medicare. Medicare pays for 50% of each visit, or about $30.00.
7. What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept checks, cash, credit cards and Health savings Account cards. We require payment at each session.
8. Are dietitian services covered by insurance?
Dietitian services are rarely covered by insurance. There are some exceptions, so give us a call.
9. What if I have no insurance?
We will work with you to determine if we can work out a payment arrangement. We do offer sliding scale fees. In addition, we can refer you to community mental health agencies and free support groups to aid on your recovery.
10. I am not sure what type of treatment I need. Can you help?
Yes, we can help. We will conduct a thorough assessment to help you determine the proper level of care for you. It might be right at The Hull Institute. Or it might be a treatment facility that offers more intensive services. The Hull Institute offers only outpatient services. If you need a higher level of care, we are very well connected to treatment facilities in and outside Cleveland and we can help you get to the best facility for your particular needs.
Still have a question? Contact us
Resources:
- The Eating Disorder Sourcebook
Carolyn Costin,
Lowell House, 1996.
- Overcoming Binge Eating
Christopher Fairburn, MD.
1995.
- Shame and Body Image
Barbara McFarlan, Ed. D.
and Tyeis Baker-Baumann
1990.
- When You Eat at the Refrigerator, Pull Up a Chair
by Geneen Roth Hyperion,
New York, 1998.
- The Angry Heart
Joseph Santoro, Ph.D. 1997.
- Surviving an Eating Disorder: Strategies for Families and Friends.
Michele Siegel, PhD., et al
Harper Perennial, 1997.
Online:
www.something-fishy.com - A website for people struggling with anorexia or bulimia
www.eatright.org - The American Dietetic Association.
www.eatrightohio.org - The Ohio Dietetic Association
www.edreferral.com - A listing of eating disorder treatment centers by state
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org - The National Eating Disorders Association.
www.anorexicsandbulimicsanonymousaba.com- Their resources are excellent
www.overeatersanonymous.org - Find a local meeting
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org - Find a local meeting