Equip, a San Diego-based digital eating disorder treatment provider, has announced its expansion to offer services across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. This means that individuals and families affected by eating disorders can now access expert care through virtual eating disorder treatment nationwide regardless of their location.
From Startup to Nationwide Provider: Rapid Growth Fueled by Partnerships
Founded in 2019, Equip began seeing patients in October 2020. Within a year, the company secured its first major payer partnership with UnitedHealthcare, paving the way for other national payers including Aetna, Anthem, and Cigna. CEO Kristina Saffran highlighted the importance of accessibility, stating, “My work every day is just to continue building in-network partnerships so that it’s accessible to every family and no family has to pay out of pocket.”
The push for expansion accelerated when UnitedHealthcare approached Equip to become its national provider. This demand led Equip to broaden its footprint, making virtual eating disorder treatment nationwide available to many more patients.
What Sets Equip Apart: Comprehensive Virtual Family-Based Treatment
Equip’s treatment model is based on family-based treatment (FBT), a widely recognized approach for addressing eating disorders. Their team approach involves a therapist, physician, peer mentor, family mentor, and dietitian working closely with patients and their families. This holistic method is delivered entirely through virtual platforms, which allows Equip to offer coordinated, personalized care regardless of geographic barriers.
By delivering care virtually, Equip reduces common obstacles such as transportation challenges and local shortages of specialized providers. This enables patients from rural or underserved areas to receive high-quality, evidence-based support.
Investor Support and Growth Enable Expanded Reach
Equip has raised 75 million dollars to date, including a 58 million dollar Series B round in March, to support its expansion efforts. These funds help the company grow its clinical team, develop its technology platform, and strengthen payer partnerships, all with the goal of scaling virtual eating disorder treatment nationwide.
Expanding Medicaid Access and Breaking Stereotypes
A key focus for Equip is expanding access to Medicaid populations, who often face significant barriers to care. Saffran emphasized that eating disorders affect people across all demographics, noting, “Far too many people still think eating disorders are affluent vanity issues affecting thin, white girls. That’s not true. Forty percent of sufferers are men, and many are not underweight.”
She also pointed to the link between food insecurity and rising eating disorder rates, especially within Medicaid populations. Research supports this, showing higher rates of unhealthy weight control behaviors in lower socioeconomic groups. To address these disparities, Equip is actively contracting with Medicaid managed care organizations and educating payers to broaden coverage for virtual eating disorder treatment nationwide.
Virtual Care as an Effective and Preferred Model
Equip’s fully virtual delivery model not only offers convenience but also improves engagement and treatment outcomes. Virtual sessions allow families to participate more easily and reduce stigma or logistical challenges often associated with in-person care.
Saffran remarked, “We’ve really seen that virtual care is not only just as good but actually even better for this population.” Through virtual eating disorder treatment nationwide, Equip integrates patients’ social support systems directly into the treatment process, fostering stronger recovery outcomes.
Coordinated Care and Partnerships with Inpatient Providers
While Equip offers comprehensive virtual treatment for all but inpatient care, it works closely with inpatient hospitals and local providers to coordinate care transitions. This ensures patients receive appropriate levels of support and continuity throughout their recovery journey.
Looking Ahead: Continuing to Broaden Access
Equip’s ongoing mission is to ensure that all individuals who need care can access it without geographic or financial barriers. The company plans to deepen its Medicaid partnerships, continue building payer networks, and further innovate its virtual platform to enhance treatment delivery.
By expanding virtual eating disorder treatment nationwide, Equip is reshaping how care is delivered and breaking down long-standing barriers in eating disorder treatment.
Equip’s expansion signals a major step forward in making effective, family-centered eating disorder treatment accessible to people across the United States. Through a team-based, virtual model supported by strong payer partnerships and a commitment to equity, Equip is helping to transform the landscape of eating disorder care.
