Find an Aetna Therapist
Medically reviewed by Gabriela Asturias, MD on June 24, 2024Aetna®—now part of CVS Health—covers a wide range of services, from talk therapy to inpatient treatment and digital self-help apps. What’s confusing is how to unlock that coverage without surprise bills, denials, or week-long phone marathons. This article walks you through every step, in plain English, so you can focus on feeling better instead of fighting paperwork.
Does Aetna Cover Therapy?
Short answer: yes. When a licensed clinician decides that counseling or psychiatry is medically necessary, Aetna treats it like any other covered medical service. Most HMO, EPO, and employer PPO plans list a $0–$40 copay for in-network, 45-minute individual sessions, while high-deductible plans apply 20 %–30 % coinsurance after you meet the deductible.
Key takeaways:
No preset visit cap: session frequency is driven by clinical need, not a number in your handbook.
No referral required: you can self-refer directly to a mental-health provider on almost every commercial plan.
Prior authorization is rare: only higher-intensity programs (IOP, residential, ketamine, TMS) normally require extra paperwork.
Medicare Advantage (MA): most Aetna MA plans quote a $40 copay per individual outpatient visit.
Pro tip: Open the Aetna Health app → Find Coverage Details and plug in the exact therapist you’re considering. The estimator tool tells you your copay or coinsurance before you ever pick up the phone.
Types of mental health providers in Aetna’s Network
| Provider type | What they do |
|---|---|
| Therapist (LCSW, LMFT, LPC) | Weekly talk therapy for anxiety, depression, life transitions |
| Psychologist (PhD, PsyD) | Psychological testing; advanced modalities like EMDR & DBT |
| Psychiatrist (MD/DO) | Diagnosis, medication management, complex co-morbidities |
Many members mix and match: weekly sessions with a therapist that accepts Aetna plus quarterly med check-ins with an in-network psychiatrist.
Real-Life Example: Jordan’s Two-Week Timeline
Day 1, 9 AM — Online check-in. Jordan, a 29-year-old product manager, opens the Aetna portal, completes the five-minute mental-health screener, and picks a triage-call slot for noon.
Day 1, 12 PM — Care Options Call. The case manager explains that CVS Health Virtual Care can do video therapy tomorrow, while local therapists that take Aetna have openings in about 12 days.
Day 1, 3 PM — Directory Deep Dive. Using filters (evening hours, CBT, LGBTQ+ friendly), Jordan picks Marina Ortiz, LCSW—an Aetna therapist three miles away.
Day 12 — First in-person session, $25 copay on a mid-tier PPO.
Jordan’s path shows how quickly you can connect with a therapist that accepts Aetna once you know where to click and what to ask.
Find care for Aetna
Remember, recovery is possible. With early intervention, a supportive network, and the right professional care, you can overcome the challenges of Aetna and build a fulfilling life. We are here to help you find care.
