Alcohol And Drug Rehabs That Accept Aetna Insurance

Medically reviewed by

Isaac Alexis, M.D., AAMA, AMP-BC

April 5, 2019

Aetna is an incredibly well-known insurance provider and covers around 20 million people across the world. Aetna’s primary focus is on behavioral health and mental health benefits. Drug and alcohol treatment fall into this category.

Using Aetna to cover some or all of your addiction treatment can help relieve the stress associated with paying for treatment. How much Aetna will cover will depend on the plan you have, which is important to understand prior to entering treatment.

Is Addiction Treatment Covered By Aetna?

Aetna offers drug and alcohol treatment coverage for a variety of types of treatment. The rehab facilities they work with are screened to ensure the quality of care as well as sufficient follow-up care. Facilities are also ensured to be up-to-date on the latest technology and practices for addiction treatment.

What types of treatment Aetna will cover, as well as how much coverage is offered, is dependent on a person’s plan with the insurance company. However, thanks to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, insurance companies are required to provide some level of coverage for addiction treatment.

Your coverage will also depend on which state you live in. Additionally, individual and family plans can vary greatly in the level of coverage they offer for addiction services.

Drug And Alcohol Addiction Services That Are Covered By Aetna

Aetna insurance covers a variety of different drug and alcohol addiction services. What exactly your plan covers and what you will be required to pay out-of-pocket will be based on the type of plan you have.

Some plans may require individuals to undergo a medical assessment before providing coverage for treatment. This is more common with intensive treatment services such as inpatient programs.

Types of addiction treatment that are typically covered partially or fully by Aetna include:

• detox programs
• family counseling
• individual and group therapy
• drug testing
• dual diagnosis and mental health programs

Aetna additionally may provide coverage for more intensive addiction treatment such as inpatient and outpatient programs. Medication-assisted therapy is another common type of treatment covered by many Aetna plans.

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient programs are the most intensive form of drug and alcohol addiction treatment. This type of treatment requires patients to live at a treatment facility for an extended period of time.

Inpatient programs consist of 24-hour supervision as well as the management of medication and mental health conditions. Patients work simultaneously on an individualized plan of recovery that is catered to their specific condition and needs.

Inpatient treatment services may consist of:

• medication-assisted therapy
• individual and group counseling
• 12-step meetings
• psychiatric care
• various forms of therapy
• relapse prevention
• family counseling

The inpatient programs that are covered by Aetna have been carefully screened for quality care. Not every inpatient program accepts Aetna, so it’s important to call ahead before attending treatment to prevent unwanted costs.

Outpatient Programs

Outpatient programs are a step down from inpatient treatment and provide more freedom for patients. These types of programs are often recommended to individuals who are seeking treatment for the first time.

Outpatient programs allow individuals to incorporate treatment into their everyday lives without forfeiting work, school, or family responsibilities. Many of the same services offered in inpatient programs are offered in outpatient treatment on a less intensive basis.

Types of outpatient treatment include:

Standard Outpatient Programs — This is the least intensive form of outpatient treatment. Patients meet one to two times a week for a few hours to receive therapy.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) — This type of program meets several times a week, typically in the evening. Each session will last a few hours and may consist of group and individual counseling.

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) — PHPs require patients to attend treatment for four to eight hours each day of the week. This type of treatment is the most intensive form of outpatient addiction treatment.

Many Aetna plans offer coverage for a variety of outpatient programs and services. The exact amount of coverage will vary from plan to plan.

Using Your Aetna Plan To Cover Drug And Alcohol Treatment

There are several factors to consider before using your Aetna plan for drug and alcohol addiction treatment. One of these factors is finding out if the treatment facility you plan on attending is covered by your plan.

Determining which treatment programs and services you will need is also an important step in using your Aetna plan. This will allow you to make educated decisions on the treatment you pursue and ensure maximum insurance coverage.

Speaking with an Aetna representative can give you more insight into what you can expect when using your plan to cover addiction treatment.

Questions To Ask Before Entering Treatment

Knowing which questions to ask your Aetna representative can help further your understanding of your treatment options and coverage.

Common questions to consider include:

• whether or not your plan covers a medically supervised detox program
• if your plan covers inpatient treatment
• what level of coverage is provided for outpatient services
• the length of time that Aetna will cover for treatment
• if a medical assessment is necessary before receiving coverage for treatment
• what your out-of-pocket costs and copays will be

The more questions you ask, the more comfortable you will feel making decisions regarding addiction treatment.

Finding Addiction Services That Are Covered By Aetna

Using your Aetna insurance to cover some or all of addiction treatment can significantly reduce any financial stress associated with seeking help. Many Aetna insurance plans can reduce or eliminate the cost of alcohol and drug rehabs and services.

Speaking with an Aetna representative as well as a treatment specialist can help you better understand the treatment you need and the level of coverage you will receive. Contact a treatment specialist today to explore your options.