Since its founding in 2019, Equip, a pioneering virtual care provider, has been at the forefront of efforts to tackle the growing crisis of eating disorders in the United States. Now, following the demonstration of its outcomes-driven treatment model to insurer Aetna, the two organizations are teaming up to provide online eating disorder therapy services to Aetna’s plan beneficiaries. This collaboration is initially launching in California, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington, representing a critical step toward broadening access to effective, evidence-based eating disorder care.
Family-Based Treatment: The Gold Standard Delivered Through Online Eating Disorder Therapy
Equip’s approach centers on Family-Based Treatment (FBT)—a therapeutic model that actively involves the patient’s family as an essential part of the recovery process. Unlike more traditional inpatient hospitalizations, Equip offers FBT through intensive outpatient services delivered as online eating disorder therapy, enabling patients to receive comprehensive care while remaining in their home environments. This approach promotes greater continuity and comfort for patients and their families.
FBT has gained widespread recognition as the gold standard for treating eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, with research supporting its superior outcomes compared to many other treatment modalities.
Addressing a Growing Need for Online Eating Disorder Therapy
Eating disorders affect approximately 9% of the U.S. population, and tragically, they rank as the second leading cause of death among mental illnesses, second only to opioid use disorder. Given this significant public health burden, the partnership between Equip and Aetna could not be more timely.
“Our mental well-being doesn’t only affect us, it affects those around us who love us,” said Cara McNulty, Aetna’s president of behavioral health and employee assistance programs. “What’s really important about this model is that it’s not only the individual, it’s their support.”
A Multidisciplinary Team Delivering Holistic Online Eating Disorder Therapy
Equip’s treatment delivery involves a five-person care team including therapists, physicians, peer and family mentors, and dietitians, who work collaboratively to address all facets of the patient’s condition. This holistic approach ensures that medical, psychological, nutritional, and social components of recovery are all managed cohesively.
The partnership with Aetna arrives at a high point for Equip, which recently raised $58 million in a Series B funding round—bringing its total fundraising to nearly $75 million. This financial backing reflects investor confidence in Equip’s innovative model and its potential to transform eating disorder care at scale.
Proven Outcomes from Online Eating Disorder Therapy
Equip’s data indicates that its program results in a 71% reduction in eating disorder symptoms after eight weeks of treatment delivered through online eating disorder therapy. Moreover, around two-thirds of participants report meaningful improvements in mood and emotional well-being.
Kristina Saffran, Equip’s Co-Founder and CEO, who has personal experience recovering from an eating disorder, stated, “We need to have outcomes. Insurance companies deserve to see the outcomes of what they’re paying for. And more importantly, our providers need to be continually looking at outcomes to make sure that what they’re delivering works.”
When compared to residential treatment programs, Equip’s virtual outpatient care has demonstrated faster weight gain rates—approximately two pounds per week in the first eight weeks, compared to the residential average of about one pound per week. This finding suggests that online eating disorder therapy can be not only more convenient but also potentially more effective.
Looking Forward: Expansion and Value-Based Care in Online Eating Disorder Therapy
Initially cautious but impressed, Aetna’s McNulty described Equip’s founders as having a “fierce tenacity” toward proving their outcomes-based care. This dedication, paired with strong patient testimonials and data, led Aetna to launch the partnership.
Aetna plans to expand the program to additional states later this year, evaluating outcomes to identify unmet needs and further expand access to online eating disorder therapy.
“This is about democratizing access for all people to quality care,” McNulty said.
Equip is also exploring value-based reimbursement models with Aetna and other payors, aiming to align payment with patient outcomes. Saffran explained, “We are all about getting paid for getting patients better. It’s early in our relationship. We’re collecting the data, and we’re figuring out as a new program how to do that in the most responsible way.”
The partnership between Equip and Aetna represents a promising advance in expanding access to family-centered, outcomes-based online eating disorder therapy. As demand continues to rise amid ongoing mental health challenges, especially in young adults, this model offers a scalable and effective alternative to costly and often less accessible residential treatment programs. With continued investment and data-driven refinement, Equip and Aetna’s collaboration could serve as a blueprint for the future of eating disorder care nationwide.
