On the surface, the idea of video game addiction may seem like an excuse for those who don’t want to stop playing their video games. However, video game addiction is all too real for those who suffer from the disease.
The National Institute of Media and Family states that approximately three million people between the ages of 8 and 18 are addicted to video games. The symptoms of these individuals include spending increasingly large amounts of time playing video games, skipping homework, and stealing money to feed the addiction. What’s more dangerous is the fact that most video games are marketed towards adults, who have a lot more to lose in terms of money and employment.
Video game addiction acts in a similar fashion to addictions to other substances, such as drugs and alcohol. At some point, the addiction takes over, and everything else is secondary to video games. Common tells of video game disorder include lying about the time spent playing video games, signs of withdrawal when not playing, and excessive risk taking in the name of playing video games.
Mental Health Network is an insurance company that deals exclusively with mental and behavioral health claims. Owned by Coventry Health, Mental Health Network (or MHNet for short) is a nationwide insurance carrier that covers more than two million Americans. As a result, Mental Health Network video game addiction coverage can take place at many mental health providers throughout the country.
However, there are some restrictions on Mental Health Network video game addiction coverage. First and foremost, the provider of care must be in the MHNet provider network. Additionally, insurance policies differ from person to person. What’s covered for a different policyholder might not be covered for you. Lastly, those who pursue Mental Health Network video game addiction coverage are subject to standard out-of-pocket expenses such as copays, deductibles and coinsurance payments.
MHNet’s status as a behavioral health administrator is tremendously beneficial for those who wish to seek treatment. Since the company deals with people in need of mental health assistance each day, it’s much easier to find someone who’s sympathetic to your situation. This is a far cry from larger insurance companies that aren’t familiar with video game addiction.
While it’s not an officially recognized disorder yet, the American Psychiatric Association considers video game addiction a disease that warrants further study. As the numbers surrounding video game addiction continue to rise, it will be very important to have insurance that covers this affliction. Those who have insurance through Mental Health Network are already one step ahead of the game.