Quick answer
Yes, most Aetna medical plans include outpatient mental health coverage, which typically covers therapy with a licensed counselor, social worker, or psychologist. What you pay depends on your specific plan’s copay, coinsurance, and deductible. If you are looking for an Aetna therapist, Peace Of Mind Therapy accepts Aetna at our Berkley and Oak Park offices and for virtual sessions anywhere in Michigan. To confirm your exact benefits, call the member services or behavioral health number on the back of your Aetna card.
If you have Aetna and you have been searching for a therapist in Oakland County, you may have noticed that many local practices only mention Blue Cross. That leaves Aetna members wondering whether they can use their benefits at all, or whether they will end up paying the full rate out of pocket.
Peace Of Mind Therapy accepts Aetna. This guide covers what your coverage usually includes, how to verify your benefits in a single phone call, and what to ask so there are no surprises on your first bill.
Key takeaways
- Most Aetna plans cover outpatient therapy as part of their behavioral health benefit.
- Your cost depends on your plan’s copay, coinsurance, and deductible, not on Aetna as a company.
- The number on the back of your Aetna card is the fastest way to confirm what you will pay.
- Ask whether a referral or prior authorization is required before your first session.
- Peace Of Mind Therapy accepts Aetna in Berkley, in Oak Park, and for virtual therapy statewide.
Does Aetna cover therapy?
In most cases, yes. Aetna medical plans generally include behavioral health coverage for outpatient services such as individual therapy, couples or family therapy when it is medically necessary, and telehealth sessions. Federal mental health parity rules also require most plans to cover mental health care on terms comparable to medical care, so therapy is not treated as an extra you have to buy separately.
That said, “Aetna” is not one plan. Employers choose different plan designs, and individual marketplace plans vary as well. Two people with Aetna cards can have very different copays, deductibles, and rules about which providers are in network. That is why verifying your own benefits matters more than any general answer.
What therapy costs with Aetna
Your out of pocket cost usually falls into one of these patterns:
- Copay: a flat amount per session, regardless of the full session rate.
- Coinsurance: a percentage of the contracted rate, such as 20 percent, after your deductible is met.
- Deductible first: you pay the full contracted rate until your annual deductible is met, then your copay or coinsurance applies.
Deductibles reset each plan year, which is often January 1. Many people are surprised when the same session that cost them a small copay in December costs more in January. Nothing changed with the therapist. The deductible simply started over. Our post on how much therapy costs in Metro Detroit explains this in more detail.
How to check your Aetna therapy benefits
Call the member services or behavioral health number on the back of your Aetna card, or log in to your Aetna member account. Have your member ID ready and ask these questions:
- Does my plan cover outpatient mental health therapy?
- Is Peace Of Mind Therapy, and the specific therapist I want to see, in network?
- What is my copay or coinsurance for an outpatient therapy visit?
- Do I have a deductible, and how much of it is left this year?
- Do I need a referral or prior authorization before I start?
- Are telehealth therapy sessions covered at the same rate as in office visits?
- Is there a limit on the number of sessions per year?
Write down the date, the name of the person you spoke with, and a reference number for the call. If a claim is ever processed differently than you were told, that record makes it much easier to sort out.
Aetna EAP vs. your health insurance benefit
Many employers that offer Aetna health insurance also offer an Employee Assistance Program, or EAP. An EAP is separate from your medical plan. It usually covers a small number of free, short term counseling sessions through the EAP’s own network. Your health insurance benefit is what covers ongoing therapy over a longer period.
If you are not sure which one you are using, ask your HR department or the number on your card. Some people start with EAP sessions and then continue therapy under their health insurance benefit once the EAP sessions run out.
Using Aetna for virtual therapy in Michigan
Most Aetna plans cover telehealth mental health visits, though some plans treat them differently from in office visits. If you prefer to meet from home, ask specifically whether video therapy sessions are covered and at what cost. Peace Of Mind Therapy offers virtual therapy to clients anywhere in Michigan, so you can use your Aetna benefits even if you are not close to Berkley or Oak Park.
What to do if you are out of network or not using insurance
If your plan does not include our therapists in network, or you prefer not to use insurance, you still have options:
- Private pay: we accept cash, check, and credit or debit card, with payment due at the time of service.
- HSA or FSA: many health savings and flexible spending accounts can be used for counseling. Check with your plan administrator.
- Out of network reimbursement: some plans reimburse part of the cost when you submit a receipt. Ask your plan whether you have out of network mental health benefits.
If you are paying privately, you also have the right to a Good Faith Estimate of your expected costs. Our Resources page explains how that works.
Where we see Aetna clients
We see clients with Aetna at both of our Oakland County offices:
- Berkley: 2301 12 Mile Rd, Berkley, MI 48072
- Oak Park: 8750 W Nine Mile Rd, Oak Park, MI 48237
Both offices are a short drive from Royal Oak, Ferndale, Birmingham, Huntington Woods, Southfield, Troy, Clawson, and Detroit. See our in person therapy page for more about each location. If you have a different plan, we also have guides for Blue Cross Blue Shield and BCN and Priority Health.
Frequently asked questions
Does Peace Of Mind Therapy accept Aetna?
Yes. Peace Of Mind Therapy & Stress Reduction Services accepts Aetna for therapy and counseling at our Berkley and Oak Park offices and for virtual sessions across Michigan. Please confirm your specific plan and provider network before your first appointment.
How much does therapy cost with Aetna?
It depends on your plan. You may pay a flat copay, a coinsurance percentage, or the full contracted rate until your deductible is met. Call the number on the back of your Aetna card and ask about your outpatient mental health benefit for an exact figure.
Do I need a referral to see a therapist with Aetna?
Many Aetna plans do not require a referral for routine outpatient therapy, but some plans, especially HMO style plans, do. Confirm with Aetna before your first session so a claim is not denied afterward.
Does Aetna cover online therapy?
Most Aetna plans cover telehealth mental health visits. Ask whether video therapy is covered and whether the cost is the same as an in office session.
Is an Aetna EAP the same as my health insurance?
No. An Employee Assistance Program usually provides a few free short term counseling sessions through its own network. Ongoing therapy is typically covered by your health insurance benefit instead.
Do you see children or teens?
Peace Of Mind Therapy works with adults, couples, and families. We do not currently provide therapy for children or adolescents, and we are glad to point families toward providers who specialize in that care.
Ready to talk to someone?
Call (248) 397-4705 or request an appointment online. Let us know you have Aetna and whether you prefer in office or virtual sessions. We see adults, couples, and families at our Berkley and Oak Park offices and virtually anywhere in Michigan. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Care Network, Aetna, and Priority Health, plus private pay. You can also review our Insurances Accepted page or our FAQ.
If you are in immediate danger or need urgent support, call 911 or contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. This article is general information and not clinical, legal, or insurance advice for your specific situation.