Whenever mental health issues or substance abuse challenges arise, seeking professional treatment is vital — and even more so during the crucial years of adolescence. However, sometimes knowing you have a problem and knowing the solution isn’t enough. Parents or guardians can easily become overwhelmed and hopeless while navigating the complexities of insurance coverage for adolescent treatment. If you have an Aetna plan, there are a few things you need to know in order to make informed decisions for your child and to move forward as a family into a brighter future.

Understanding Aetna Insurance Coverage for Adolescents

Founded in 1853, Aetna is a well-known insurance company that offers a wide range of health insurance plans for individuals and families nationwide, covering medical, mental health, and substance abuse services. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010, Aetna — like other insurance providers — is required to offer the same level of coverage for all of those services, including adolescent treatment. However, the specific details of your coverage will vary depending on the nature of your plan.

Using Aetna for Residential Adolescent Inpatient or VIOP

In most cases, Aetna will provide at least some coverage for residential adolescent treatment and the outpatient programs that may follow. The amount of their contribution will vary depending on the program, so the best way to understand your options is to verify your benefits.

Verify Your Insurance Benefits

Verifying your benefits clarifies your coverage and will help you understand your own financial contribution. Aetna customer service should be able to provide some details. However, it may be easier to verify your benefits online with Stonewater directly. Our experts will speak with the insurance company and let you know of any restrictions, deductibles, or copays in effect with your plan. From there, we can help you develop a payment plan.

Coverage Limitations

Although Aetna does offer coverage for adolescent treatment, there may be some restrictions. These could include licensure requirements, length of stay restrictions, and more. Any of these will come up during your verification of benefits, and our team can discuss them with you so there are no surprises.

Financial Assistance for Adolescent Insurance

Even with insurance coverage, some families may still struggle to cover their contribution to adolescent treatment. However, insurance is not the only way to reduce the cost of your child’s care. You might also consider:

Family & Friends

Is there a family member who may be able to contribute? 

Home Equity Loans

Taking out money from your home could be a quick way to free up cash.

Scholarships & Grants

Community groups like churches or sports teams may offer scholarships or grants to children who struggle.

Adolescent Treatment Financing

Adolescent treatment financing can help you split up the cost of treatment over several years.

 Using Aetna for Adolescent Treatment

Using your Aetna plan to pay for adolescent treatment can be easy. First, verify your insurance benefits. From there, you’ll know if there are any restrictions or pre-authorizations necessary. You’ll also have a clear outline of any copays, deductibles, or out-of-pocket payments that will be your responsibility. Finally, our team of experts can work with you to develop solutions for covering the cost of treatment. Contact us to get started building a better future for your family.