At Fueling for Recovery, we work every day with athletes navigating eating disorders and disordered eating patterns. Many of them come to us after struggling to find effective in-network care, and they’ve made the choice to invest in out-of-network support, often the first step in truly sustainable recovery.
If you’re searching for eating disorder treatment for athletes in New York, and you’re wondering whether paying out-of-pocket for out-of-network services is worth it, this blog post is for you.
The Overlap Between Athletes and Eating Disorders
Before we dive into the benefits of out-of-network care, it’s important to understand just how common, and complex, eating disorders in athletes can be.
From runners and dancers to wrestlers and gymnasts, athletes across all sports are at increased risk for disordered eating. Why?
- Body and weight pressures: Many sports emphasize leanness or specific body types.
- Performance demands: Fueling needs are high, and underfueling is common.
- Sport culture: Overtraining, strict diets, and the “no pain, no gain” mentality can disguise harmful behaviors.
- Mental toughness expectations: Athletes may ignore warning signs, pushing through symptoms that would otherwise demand care.
Unfortunately, traditional healthcare systems and insurance networks aren’t always set up to recognize or address these issues, especially when they manifest subtly. That’s where out-of-network providers come in.
What Is Out-of-Network Care?
Out-of-network care refers to working with healthcare professionals who are not contracted with your insurance plan. This means you may pay more upfront, but you also gain access to a broader range of specialists, many of whom offer advanced expertise and more personalized treatment approaches.
For athletes with eating disorders in New York, out-of-network nutrition services often provide the most effective path forward. Here’s why.
1. Access to Specialized Expertise
Many athletes in New York are seeking care that addresses both their athletic identity and their eating disorder recovery : a combination that requires a very specific set of skills.
Most in-network providers are generalists. But out-of-network specialists like our dietitians at Fueling for Recovery offer:
- Deep experience with sports nutrition and eating disorders
- Knowledge of RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport), amenorrhea, bone density concerns, and performance setbacks
- Experience working with athletic teams, coaches, and multidisciplinary medical providers
When your needs go beyond “eat more carbs” or “gain weight,” you need a provider who understands your training load, recovery phases, fueling strategies, and psychological struggles. That level of care often isn’t available in-network.
2. Personalized Care and Attention
Eating disorder treatment for athletes requires more than a one-size-fits-all plan.
Out-of-network providers typically offer:
- Longer sessions (often 45-60 minutes)
- More frequent appointments, tailored to your season and stress levels
- Individualized meal planning, not just food logs or generic recommendations
- Ongoing support between sessions via email or check-ins
This personalized approach is especially helpful for athletes navigating both mental health challenges and performance goals. Whether you’re in preseason training or off-season recovery, your needs will shift. Your care should shift with you.
3. Freedom from Insurance Restrictions
In-network providers often face limitations like:
- Capped number of sessions
- Pre-authorizations
- Restrictions on service types or duration
- Delays caused by red tape
When working out-of-network, you avoid these hurdles. This means:
- Faster access to care
- No “approval” needed for continued support
- More say in your treatment plan
For athletes with time-sensitive concerns, like an upcoming season or performance goal, quick access to the right support can make all the difference.
4. Integrated, Holistic Recovery
At Fueling for Recovery, we believe that treating eating disorders in athletes requires looking at the full picture. That includes:
- Mental health
- Physical performance
- Nutrition
- Identity as an athlete
- Relationship with food, exercise, and rest
Out-of-network care often includes access to a collaborative treatment team, including: dietitians, therapists, sports psychologists, and medical professionals who work together. This integrative approach is rarely available through in-network care.
5. More Privacy and Autonomy
Dealing with an eating disorder can be incredibly personal ; athletes often worry about their diagnosis affecting their status, scholarship, or reputation.
With out-of-network services:
- You have greater privacy, as fewer third parties (like insurers or employers) are involved
- You maintain autonomy over your treatment plan, without needing approvals or diagnostic labels
- You can choose providers based on fit and trust, not insurance compatibility
At Fueling for Recovery, we place huge emphasis on finding the right fit. Recovery is deeply vulnerable, and your connection to your care team can shape your experience. We offer discovery calls to ensure we’re the right match and we encourage you to find a sports dietitian who truly understands your world as an athlete.
6. Support for Complex or High-Performance Needs
Some athletes need support beyond the basics.
Maybe you’re:
- Training for a collegiate or professional career
- Dealing with past trauma or chronic health conditions
- Experiencing multiple symptoms of RED-S or burnout
- Struggling with co-occurring issues like OCD, anxiety, or overtraining
These challenges require a provider who can think outside the box, and often outside the limitations of in-network service models.
Out-of-network dietitians are better equipped to offer creative, flexible solutions, whether that’s:
- Coordinating with a strength coach or physical therapist
- Adjusting your fueling plan during injury recovery
- Using trauma-informed or HAES-aligned counseling strategies
7. Reduced Administrative Hassles
Let’s be real: insurance is a pain.
With out-of-network care, you skip:
- Pre-approvals
- Long waitlists
- Clunky portals and paperwork
Instead, you get:
- Direct access to your provider
- Transparent pricing
- Simpler, more focused care
Many of our clients in New York say this is one of the biggest reasons they choose to go out-of-network. Their time and energy are better spent on healing rather than being on hold with insurance companies.
8. Flexible Scheduling for Busy Athletes
As an athlete, your schedule is packed with practices, meets, games, school, and recovery time. You need a provider who gets it.
Out-of-network clinics like ours offer:
- More flexible scheduling
- Virtual sessions
- The ability to schedule around competitions or travel
Whether you’re on campus in Albany or training upstate near Lake Placid, your care should fit your lifestyle, not the other way around.
9. Higher Satisfaction and Better Outcomes
Ultimately, athletes choose out-of-network care because it works.
They feel:
- Seen, heard, and understood
- Treated as whole people, not insurance codes
- Empowered in their recovery, not stuck in survival mode
Numerous studies, and our own client feedback, show that when care is personalized, flexible, and specialized, outcomes improve. Recovery becomes more sustainable. Performance returns. Life becomes more vibrant.
Final Thoughts: Investing in Your Recovery Is an Investment in Your Future
If you’re an athlete in New York living with an eating disorder, you don’t need to settle for care that only scratches the surface. Choosing to pay for out-of-network nutrition services is an investment in real, lasting recovery, and in your ability to thrive both on and off the field.
At Fueling for Recovery, we specialize in helping athletes overcome disordered eating while rebuilding their strength, confidence, and relationship with their bodies. Whether you’re a D1 runner, a college-level swimmer, or a weekend warrior, your story matters. We’re here to help you write the next chapter.
Ready to take the next step?
📧 Contact us by email at info@fuelingforrecovery.com or by phone at 202-738-4726 to learn more about how our out-of-network services work and how we can support you or your athlete in New York.
You can also book an appointment with one of our team members directly through this link.
