Overview on the importance of mental health benefits
People’s mental health is just as important as their physical health. An individual’s physical health is tangible, so it is fairly easy to observe. On the other hand, mental health is much more difficult to effectively monitor, because individuals may not always recognize the symptoms of a developing cognitive or affective condition.
When a person has a mental condition that goes untreated, it can turn into a recursive cycle of self deprecating thoughts and behaviors that inhibit their ability to carry out routine tasks and lead normal day to day lives. Furthermore, deteriorating mental health can contribute to unexplained and persistent physical health problems such as chronic headaches, nausea, fatigue, tension, changes in weight or appetite, and a myriad of other issues.
This information helps to conceptualize the importance of mental health and mental health benefits. Mental and behavioral health care can just as expensive as other forms of physical health care. Fortunately, the majority of insurance providers provide mental health benefits, and treat them the same as physical health benefits. When seeking coverage, you should speak with your agent about the mental health benefits that particular plans have to offer because it can potentially save you a lot of money in the future.
How does Aetna cover therapy sessions?
Aetna is one of the oldest and largest health insurance providers in the United States. They service more than 21 million Americans, and have an extensive network of health providers throughout the country, and specifically in Illinois. If you have Aetna, and you remain in their network you will be able to save a tremendous amount of money on covered health care services. Aetna offers individual and family health insurance plans that provide both physical and mental health coverage.
The majority of Aetna’s insurance plans require individuals and families to pay a 20% coinsurance rate once they’ve met their deductibles. This means that Aetna will cover 80% of the cost of covered services after an individual has met their deductible.
So, if you’ve met your deductible, and you are seeking assistance from a psychiatrist within Aetna’s network, you may only have to pay $15 for therapy session, which is the same amount that you would have to pay for a regular doctor visit. There is a difference in pricing between in-network and out-of-network healthcare providers. Individuals greatly benefit from selecting in-network healthcare providers because it is more than five times cheaper for covered services because they have to pay a substantially larger portion of the total cost.
Aetna also provides coverage for psychotic or mental breakdowns that result in hospitalization. Hospitalization is typically far more expensive than routine doctor visits because they require significantly more attention, care, and assistance. Aetna usually provides individuals with a maximum out-of-pocket limit of $4,000, so individuals would not pay more than that, but they may be responsible for payments up to that amount.
Hospitalization is often very expensive. However, if an individual stays within Aetna’s network, the cost can be significantly marginalized. In the state of Illinois, Aetna has one of the largest networks of healthcare providers. So selecting a hospital that is within their network should be manageable. But in the case of an emergency, Aetna has specific protocols and coverage plans. For further information on emergency coverage, contact your insurance provider.
Lastly, Aetna provides coverage for substance-use disorders and chemical dependency rehab. Chemical dependency rehab can be costly, and is similar to inpatient care in many ways. But, if you or a loved one are experiencing substance-use problems and are in need of rehabilitation services, it should certainly be sought out. Chemical and substance dependency can be debilitating if it is not properly addressed and treated. It may inhibit their ability to carry out routine tasks, lead normal daily lives, and increases their likelihood for unemployment.
Chemical dependency care may be expensive, but it is also life-changing and worth every cent. Substance-use disorders are difficult, but they can be beaten. The reason that Aetna provides coverage for these conditions is because they can seriously diminish people’s physical and mental health.
If you have any questions about Aetna's Mental Health Benefits, please contact your insurance provider or Aetna directly.