Children's National Eating Disorders Program — Washington, D.C.
Outpatient · Ages 10 to 21
Washington, D.C.
Eating disorder treatment in Washington, D.C.
An estimated 61,835 District of Columbia residents will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime, and the District is served by only a small number of specialty programs that treat children, adolescents, and adults. Treatment in D.C. ranges from outpatient through partial hospitalization, with virtual outpatient and intensive outpatient available District-wide, and no residential or inpatient programs.(source)
- Statewide
- Licensed eating disorder treatment centers
- Multiple
- PHP, IOP, and outpatient care
- 24/7
- Free, confidential admissions line
Tap a leaf to see treatment centers in that area
Licensed treatment programs
Browse by city
Browse by level of care
Medical stabilizationMedical management of malnutrition, refeeding, comorbidities.Inpatient hospitalizationAcute hospital care for medical instability and psychiatric crisis.Residential treatmentLive-in care with 24/7 clinical and nursing support, in a non-hospital setting.Partial hospitalization (PHP)Day treatment, structured clinical hours.Intensive outpatient (IOP)Several days per week, returning to work or family.OutpatientWeekly therapy and medical visits.Virtual / telehealth treatmentRemote care, from outpatient therapy to full virtual IOP and PHP.
All licensed Washington, D.C. centers
Washington
The Body Image Therapy Center — Washington, D.C.
Partial (PHP), IOP, Outpatient · Adults 18 and up
About eating disorder treatment in Washington, D.C.
Both programs are in upper Northwest DC. Children's National Hospital runs the Donald Delaney Eating Disorders Clinic in Friendship Heights, providing outpatient care for ages 10 to 21; a child in acute medical crisis can be stabilized through the general hospital, though there are no ED-specialty inpatient or residential beds in the District. The Body Image Therapy Center in Woodley Park offers partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient care for adults ages 18 and up, the highest level of eating disorder care available in the District. Because no District program runs an ED-specialty unit above partial hospitalization, residential, inpatient, and 24-hour stabilization means traveling out of state.
Paying for treatment in Washington, D.C.
Most commercial health plans in the District cover eating disorder treatment as a mental health benefit, subject to your plan's usual deductible, copays, and prior authorization for higher levels of care. Whether a particular program is in network depends on your plan.(source)
DC Medicaid, administered by the DC Department of Health Care Finance, covers eating disorder treatment as a mental health benefit, with prior authorization and medical-necessity review for higher levels of care. DC Medicaid acceptance for eating disorder services varies by program, so a program can confirm whether they work with DC Medicaid when you call. Children may also qualify for Medicaid coverage through DC Healthy Families.(source)
DC's Behavioral Health Parity Act requires every health plan in the District, including DC Medicaid, to comply with federal mental health parity. DC is one of a small number of jurisdictions that statutorily extends parity to its Medicaid program. Self-funded employer plans follow federal law.(source)
To start a benefits verification, call to be connected with a licensed eating disorder program.
See also: our insurance guides, how to verify your benefits, and how virtual eating disorder treatment works.
Common questions about eating disorder treatment in Washington, D.C.
Where can I get residential eating disorder treatment in the District of Columbia?
DC has no residential eating disorder program and no specialty inpatient unit for adults. The most intensive adult option in DC is partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient care at The Body Image Therapy Center in Woodley Park (ages 18 and up). For children and adolescents, Children's National Hospital's Donald Delaney Eating Disorders Clinic offers outpatient care for ages 10 to 21. Residential or specialty inpatient care is reached out of state; a program can help arrange that placement and verify your coverage.
Does DC Medicaid cover eating disorder treatment?
Yes. DC Medicaid covers eating disorder treatment as a mental health benefit, with prior authorization for higher levels of care. Acceptance varies by program, so a program can confirm whether it works with DC Medicaid when you call; children may also qualify through DC Healthy Families.
What are the eating disorder treatment options in the District of Columbia beyond the two local specialty programs?
For residents whose needs do not fit Children's National (ages 10 to 21) or The Body Image Therapy Center (ages 18 and up), the main options are a virtual outpatient or intensive outpatient program licensed for DC residents, a general behavioral health provider, or traveling out of state for residential or specialty inpatient care. The DC Department of Behavioral Health Access HelpLine (1-888-7WE-HELP) is a 24-hour public referral line for general behavioral health needs.
Talk to admissions at a treatment center
Free and confidential. Direct connection, 24/7.
Call (602) 834-4077In crisis right now? Washington, D.C. crisis resources →
Eating disorders we cover
Compiled by the EDrehab editorial team. Last reviewed: see each cited source for the underlying publication date.