If you are living with depression, a mental health disorder marked by a persistent low mood and loss of joy or pleasure, you are not alone. Roughly 3.8% of the global population suffers from this condition. You don’t have to suffer forever. Depression treatments like therapy and medication can help with your symptoms; however, these highly effective approaches can be costly, and that’s where insurance providers like Aetna can help. Aetna’s behavioral health benefits may help cover the cost of depression treatment, depending on your plan.
Aetna Depression Treatment Coverage
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates that all Marketplace insurance policies cover the ten essential health benefits. One of these crucial benefits is for mental health and substance use, collectively known as behavioral health. As a Marketplace health insurance provider, Aetna must adhere to this requirement, and that’s why Aetna coverage includes mental health benefits for the cost of treating disorders like anxiety and depression.
Your Aetna policy may have specific requirements before it will cover depression services. For example, you may need to visit an in-network provider. In-network providers are health care facilities that contract with Aetna to provide mental health care to its members. Or you may have to receive a referral from your primary care physician. If you had to choose a primary care physician when you enrolled in your Aetna plan, this most likely applies to you.
How Much Aetna Depression Treatment Costs
The amount Aetna will cover for depression treatment services depends on the plan type. Aetna offers four health care plans:
- HMOs
- PPOs
- POSs
- EPOs
These plans differ in the amounts they cover, each having its own monthly premium, deductible, copay or coinsurance rate, and out-of-pocket maximum.
Premiums
A premium is the monthly amount you pay for health insurance. The lower the premium, the higher your costs at the point of care will be. Aetna HMOs have the lowest premiums, and PPOs and EPOs have the highest premiums.
Deductibles
A deductible is the amount you must pay out of pocket before your plan will chip in. High deductibles can be an aspect of any Aetna plan; however, they are more common with plans featuring low monthly premiums, like HMOs.
Copays and Coinsurance
The copay or coinsurance is the fee you pay when you need a healthcare service. It is different from the price you pay for the service itself. Plans with low monthly premiums tend to cover less for copay or coinsurance.
Out-of-Pocket Maximum
The out-of-pocket maximum is the highest dollar amount you must pay for healthcare services before your plan will cover 100% of the cost for covered services. It is not the same as the deductible.
Covered Depression Therapies
As mentioned, medication and therapy are two effective treatments for depression. Some people may only need counseling to relieve their symptoms, while others benefit from medication. Aetna covers medication and therapy for the treatment of depression. Your policy may also cover additional services. Still, starting with these approaches before trying alternatives is always best.
If your depression symptoms do not respond to these treatments, you may have something known as treatment-resistant depression. Other treatments, like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), are an option Aetna may cover.
Medication
Prescription drugs are another essential health benefit defined by the ACA. Aetna complies with this requirement by offering benefits for mental health and substance use disorder medications.
The most common types of depression medications your plan will cover may include:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Lexapro, Prozac, and Zoloft
- Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like Cymbalta and Effexor
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) like Nardil and Marplan
- Tricyclic antidepressants like Tofranil, Pamelor, and Surmontil
- Atypical antidepressants like Wellbutrin and Trintellix
Some of these drugs have the potential for abuse, which is why it’s crucial to take them under a doctor’s supervision.
Therapy
Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy, behavioral therapy, or simply therapy) is another effective approach to treating depression. Therapy sessions may take place on an individual or group basis.
Many types of therapy can be effective for depression. The most well-researched approaches include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Depression therapy is available in an inpatient (i.e., residential) or outpatient setting so that you can find the treatment option best for your needs.
Comprehensive Wellness Centers Are In-Network With Aetna
The Comprehensive Wellness Centers in Florida offer inpatient and outpatient depression treatment programs. We are also in-network with Aetna to help you lower the cost of these services. Our depression experts use a cutting-edge approach to diagnosis and finding the right medication—access these services, plus individual and group psychotherapy, in both of our programs.
Inpatient Mental Health Treatment
Inpatient programs for depression require participants to live at our Lantana, Florida facility. Choose from a range of program lengths and immerse yourself in full-time recovery. These programs are ideal for people with more severe symptoms who can take time off from their daily lives to focus solely on treatment.
Outpatient Mental Health Treatment
Outpatient programs for depression give participants the flexibility to live at home while receiving care. We offer partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs for varying levels of depression severity. The best candidates for these programs are people with significant home or work obligations and mild to moderate symptoms.
Get Help for Depression in South Florida
Aetna’s depression treatment coverage can help you get the affordable help you need. Your policy will provide benefits for depression therapy, medication, and other services. The amount covered depends on your exact plan.
Comprehensive Wellness Centers use a holistic approach to mental health, including support after completing your treatment program to help you throughout your journey. Verify your insurance with us today to learn exactly how much your Aetna behavioral health plan will cover.
