HMO Rehab and Compulsive Gambling Treatment
Compulsive gambling is a behavioral addiction characterized by an uncontrollable need to gamble, even when gambling jeopardizes an individual’s job and financial security. With a gambling addiction, individuals are unable to stop gambling despite the toll this behavior is taking on their lives. Just like alcohol and drugs, gambling also stimulates the brain’s reward system, which can lead to addiction. Individuals who are compulsive gamblers are unable to stop making bets even as this behavior depletes their savings and accumulates debt. If you or a loved one cannot stop gambling, HMO compulsive gambling treatment may be able to help.
How HMO Compulsive Gambling Treatment Works
An HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) is a type of insurance plan that requires members to choose a primary care physician (PCP) from a network of local healthcare providers. The primary care physician you choose will then be responsible for referring you to specialists and hospitals should additional care be necessary. If you or a loved one is struggling with a behavioral addiction like compulsive gambling, the HMO may require that the primary care physician make a medical referral to an inpatient or outpatient treatment program. This referral may be necessary for the HMO to cover the cost of treatment; without the referral in place prior to entering treatment, you or your loved one could be stuck paying a higher treatment cost.
HMOs require members to use a local network of healthcare providers. When evaluating different compulsive gambling treatment programs, it is important to keep in mind whether these programs are included in the HMO’s coverage network. Out-of-network programs may not be covered and you may be responsible for any costs occurred with enrolling in these programs. Additionally, geographic restrictions may be in place governing coverage options. It is important to keep these restrictions in mind when selecting an HMO compulsive gambling treatment program.
Like any addiction, compulsive gambling cannot be “cured” overnight. Addiction is a chronic disease that requires ongoing treatment in order to manage the disease, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The right inpatient treatment program can help you or a loved one take an important first step to addressing compulsive gambling. Treatment typically includes psychotherapy, certain medications like antidepressants and mood stabilizers, and self-help groups. Contact a benefits specialist to learn more about these treatment options and how HMO compulsive gambling treatment benefits work.