One out of 100 women will be diagnosed with an eating disorder every year, but experts said most insurance companies balk at covering the costs for treatment. The two most commonly diagnosed eating disorders are bulimia nervosa, characterized by cycles of binging and purging, and anorexia nervosa, characterized by self-starvation.

Dr. Alexander Sackeyfio treats eating disorders at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich. and said that insurance companies often see eating disorders as a disease determined by the person who suffers.

"The insurance companies have got one big problem," Sackeyfio said. "They sometimes see it as an illness that doesn't get treated very easily. And if it is something that they can't treat very easily, they feel that they should figure out a way of not treating it at all."

Lawsuits by families of patients with eating disorder have gained attention in recent years. Illinois lawmakers recently passed a bill that would require insurance companies to pay for the treatment of eating disorders. It is awaiting the signature of Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Experts said if insurance companies covered eating disorders completely, they could actually save money. Those who treat eating disorders said if insurance covered treatment for the mental and physical aspects of the disorders, the required time of therapy would decrease, and some patients could avoid continual relapses and off-and-on therapy. Patients said insurance coverage would alleviate worry about the expense, and allow them to focus on getting better.

Julie Stulberg of Waterford, Mich., suffered with an eating disorder for years, and her insurance company denied her coverage for treatment.

"The insurance companies shy away from this kind of disorder," Stulberg said. "You're coming forward and admitting something that you feel shameful about. And then when you go to a professional and your insurance company slams you, it's kind of like, well, maybe I shouldn't be doing this. Maybe I shouldn't be trying to get better."

People who suffer from an eating disorder are often ashamed and afraid to ask for help. Recognizing the signs of an eating disorder and getting treatment early on is important because 8 percent of people diagnosed with an eating disorder will die.

"It's a severe illness," Sackeyfio said. "It takes a lot of time to get treatment. It's not something that you can treat in a few short months."

For helpful resources and books on recovery from eating disorders click here.

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