Eating Disorder Treatment in New York City

What levels of eating disorder care are available in New York City?

Eating disorder care in New York City is listed at several levels, from outpatient therapy through intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization and residential programs to inpatient units, and each listing shows which levels a provider offers. Outpatient care means scheduled therapy and nutrition sessions while a person lives at home.

Intensive outpatient programs add several sessions a week. Partial hospitalization provides structured treatment for most of the day, with nights at home. Residential programs provide round-the-clock support in a live-in setting, and inpatient units add hospital-level medical care. A medical evaluation should come before choosing among them.

Treatment listings across Manhattan and the Bronx cluster in Harlem, East Harlem, Gramercy Park and Mott Haven. All of them sit within 25 miles of a river, and the Harlem River is the closest more often than any other, at a median distance of 2.9 miles.

Telehealth can support follow-up care for someone who is medically stable, but it is not a substitute for in-person or hospital care when a clinician says monitoring is needed. Fainting, chest pain, an irregular heartbeat, confusion or severe weakness call for emergency care.

When does someone with an eating disorder need a hospital?

Someone with an eating disorder needs emergency care for fainting, chest pain, an irregular heartbeat, confusion, severe weakness or thoughts of suicide. In any of these situations, call 911 or go to a hospital emergency department. Eating disorders can affect the heart and body chemistry. For that reason, a medical evaluation should come before any decision about outpatient, residential or virtual care. For emotional crisis support, call or text 988. New Yorkers who are also dealing with alcohol or drug use can reach the NYS HOPEline at 1-877-846-7369 or text HOPENY (467369), any time of day.

Eating disorders and substance use can be treated together, and some city listings report care for both. Programs listed for dual diagnosis may also address depression, anxiety or trauma. Ask admissions staff how both conditions are handled in one treatment plan.

How do New York City families pay for and check a program?

Paying for care

New York City families pay for eating disorder care through private insurance, New York State Medicaid, Medicare, TRICARE or self-pay, and each listing shows which of these it accepts. The New York State Department of Health runs Medicaid, and most city members receive coverage through managed care plans such as Healthfirst, MetroPlus Health Plan or Fidelis Care. Ask your plan which levels of care need prior approval, or see the Medicaid listings. Federal mental health parity law generally requires health plans to cover mental health care on terms no stricter than they apply to medical care.

Checking a listing

New York City listings note Joint Commission or CARF accreditation where a provider reports it. Ask each program which New York State license it holds. The Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) certifies addiction treatment programs, so a program that offers substance use care should be able to name its OASAS operating certificate. Listings also show whether a program serves adolescents or adults, offers LGBTQ+ or gender-specific groups, provides family sessions or speaks languages other than English. For programs elsewhere in the state, see eating disorder treatment across New York, or browse every New York City treatment listing.