How Aetna® supports mental health

Mental health is an important part of your well-being.

At Aetna, we support your mental health journey as a critical aspect of your overall health.

The big picture: Mental health in America

More than one in five adults in the U.S. are living with a mental health condition.*

Over the past few years, people have become more willing to talk about their mental health. There is a growing understanding of how mental and physical health are connected.

Policy changes* have also helped to make sure that mental health benefits are as easy to use as physical health benefits. These laws also help reduce mental health stigma and reduce barriers to care.

Technology is making mental health care better and more personal. Expanded virtual care has also made it easier to access. And employers now see mental health as key to business success.

Demand for mental health support is high and continues to grow. However, many people still have trouble accessing care. Over half of U.S. adults with a mental health condition don't get treatment.* With nationwide provider shortages, long wait times and rising costs, people are struggling to find help.

We are taking a smarter approach to mental health care.

Addressing mental health at Aetna

Making access to care faster and easier

If you need mental health support, you shouldn’t have to wait weeks or months to get it. Aetna offers a robust network of national and local behavioral health providers. In fact, we’ve increased our network of mental health professionals by 130,000 since April 2024. Given the depth of our network, for less serious issues you can get an initial consult appointment in five days or less or within 10 days for more serious issues.

Telehealth offers flexibility and convenience, making it a great option for mental health care, especially in locations with limited in-person care. Supplementing our growing network of community providers, we work with MinuteClinic* and other telehealth providers like Alma and Headway. For members who appreciate the flexibility of in-person or virtual care, many practices provide both.

We also partner with a range of specialists to match members to the appropriate care. This includes counselors, psychiatrists and those who focus on specific mental health conditions. Many of these organizations have early intervention programs and those that help address youth and family mental health. Such as:

• MinuteClinic for in-person and virtual therapy, including mental health support for members 13 and older
• Array for virtual psychiatry and therapy
• Cortica for children with autism
• Equip for eating disorders treatment
• Vita for suicide prevention

We promote mental health support in the workplace, too. Resources for Living (RFL) takes a comprehensive approach to improving members’ mental, social and emotional health, going beyond a traditional employee assistance program (EAP). In 2024, RFL launched Access Plus. This service connects members to accessible and affordable counseling services.

Additional RFL programs include:

• Confidential, in-the-moment counseling and other therapy services
• Resources to reduce stress and build resilience
• Peer support
• Well-being coaching
• Work-life services that support social determinants of health
• Crisis support during difficult experiences, such as natural disasters or traumatic community events

Prioritizing quality care

We hold mental health care to the same quality standards as physical care. We have strong oversight measures to make sure you receive effective treatment.

We introduced new criteria to help check that the mental health providers within the Aetna network are providing the best treatment. This includes pre- and post-diagnostic assessments. These assessments screen patients for anxiety, depression and suicide risks, respectively, and help track progress.

Through our provider partnerships, we conduct quarterly reviews. These reviews make sure you see best-in-class doctors for your mental health needs.

Using technology to improve access to care

Our digital solutions also help you understand and connect your EAP, like RFL, with your behavioral health benefits, so you can get the most out of the coverage available to you.

We’re advancing how we understand and anticipate our members’ needs. If a member is experiencing a new mental health condition or the worsening of an existing one, we’re upgrading our approach to reach out to them sooner. This allows us to offer support and recommend preventive options.

We use technology to help you schedule appointments and reduce wait times. By expanding our digital methods, we’re able to better connect you with support from your care plans.

Making a difference in mental health care

At Aetna, we’re committed to your physical and mental health. We believe getting mental health support should be easy and seamless. Our goal is to help facilitate easier access to quality care for everyone, so you can get the most out of your health plan and put your mind at ease.