Sex addiction is a serious, sometimes debilitating disorder that comes with psychological problems that accompany the sexual compulsions. While people are sometimes erroneously labeled as sex addicts simply because they have high sex drives and keen interest in sex, sex addiction is characterized by compulsively and obsessively seeking sexual activity in ways that are likely to have negative consequences. A sex addict may compulsively self-stimulate many times a day, often using pornography or interaction with others over the Internet or telephone, to the point that it interferes with relationships, family activities, work and other ordinary human interaction. They may also obsessively seek physical sexual experiences with many partners. Some may seek sexual gratification through illegal means, from exhibition to sexual assault and abuse.
The affordable care act mandates that insurance companies provide coverage for sex addiction, so if you are covered by an HMO, or health maintenance organization, you have HMO sex addiction coverage. In seeking sex addiction treatment, HMO members must determine what their coverage will pay for.
An HMO provides managed care through contracts with a network of facilities and medical professionals. Your care is led by your primary doctor, who will provide most of your medical treatment, with in-network specialists caring for you when such treatment is necessary. HMO sex addiction coverage starts with your primary care physician, who will make recommendations to the HMO upon determination that you have a sex addiction.
Your HMO likely contracts with a facility that offers treatment for sex addiction, but the level of treatment depends on the organization and your specific plan. HMO sex addiction coverage may extent to inpatient or outpatient treatment, or a combination of both. An inpatient treatment plan may be called for initially to clear the slate in terms of external stimuli that tend to tap into sexual compulsions. This provides a safe atmosphere in which the sex addiction can be addressed as well as the underlying psychological problems that likely go hand in hand with the propensity for obsessive thoughts and compulsive habits.
You may be unlikely to receive HMO sex addiction coverage to pay for an out-of-network facility, but your HMO may elect to provide coverage and pass on the extra costs to you. If you are set on a particular facility, the treatment center may offer a payment plan or other incentives to help make treatment affordable.