Woman relaxing on couch with headphones and laptop — online therapy from home

Yes, your Aetna plan covers online therapy.

You've already done the hard part — deciding you want help. Now you just need to know where your card works.

34+ Platforms Reviewed Expert-Written Updated Monthly No Sponsored Rankings

Platforms That Accept Aetna for Online Therapy

Each platform below was independently evaluated by the DTS Research Team using our 12-point clinical accuracy standard.

We checked 34+ platforms' insurance networks and narrowed to these 3 for Aetna coverage specifically.

Bottom Line
Talkspace is the strongest Aetna-covered option for most people — $10–25/session vs. $69–109/week self-pay. Headway and Grow Therapy are worth checking if you want to choose your own therapist.
3 platforms reviewed  ·  All accept Aetna PPO & HMO
Also worth considering

Headway

Best for therapist choice — browse profiles and pick your own provider

4.5 Recommended

Headway takes a different approach — instead of assigning you a therapist, you browse real profiles and choose someone who fits. They're in-network with Aetna in most states, and their copays typically run $20–50 per session depending on your specific plan. Headway also handles all the insurance billing, so you don't deal with claims or reimbursement paperwork. The tradeoff: availability varies by location, and you may have fewer options in rural areas.

$20–50/session w/ Aetna In-network — Aetna PPO, HMO $100–200/session self-pay Video Phone
Editorially reviewed · DTS Research Team See full review →

Grow Therapy

Best for plan flexibility — accepts Aetna plus 70+ other carriers

4.3 Recommended

Grow Therapy accepts Aetna alongside 70+ other insurance carriers, including Medicaid and Medicare in select states — making them one of the most broadly covered platforms available. Most Aetna members pay $0–60 per session after deductible. Like Headway, you choose your own therapist from detailed profiles. Grow also handles insurance verification and billing automatically. The tradeoff: they're newer than Talkspace, so the therapist network is smaller in some areas.

$0–60/session w/ Aetna In-network — Aetna PPO, HMO, EAP $80–150/session self-pay Video Phone
Editorially reviewed · DTS Research Team See full review →
Person on couch during an online therapy video call

"The biggest barrier to therapy isn't finding a therapist — it's figuring out if your insurance covers it. We took that step off your plate."

— Based on analysis of 34+ platforms' insurance networks

How Aetna Coverage Works for Online Therapy

Most Aetna plans — including PPO, HMO, and many employer-sponsored plans — cover online therapy the same way they cover in-person sessions. Here's what that means in practice:

Copay: Your per-session cost with an in-network platform. Most Aetna members pay $10–50 per therapy session — significantly less than the $150–300 you'd pay out of pocket.

Deductible: Some Aetna plans require you to meet a deductible before mental health coverage kicks in. Many Aetna plans exempt mental health from the deductible entirely — check your specific plan.

In-network vs. out-of-network: The platforms above are in-network with Aetna, which means pre-negotiated lower rates. Out-of-network therapists may get partial reimbursement but you'll pay more upfront.

EAP benefits: If your employer offers an Aetna Employee Assistance Program, you may get 3–8 free therapy sessions before insurance even kicks in. Ask your HR department.

$10
avg copay with Aetna in-network

Quick Comparison

Talkspace Headway Grow Therapy
Copay w/ Aetna$10–25/session$20–50/session$0–60/session
Self-Pay Price$69–109/week$100–200/session$80–150/session
In-NetworkYes — PPO, HMO, EAPYes — PPO, HMOYes — PPO, HMO, EAP
FormatVideo + MessagingVideo + PhoneVideo + Phone
Best ForMessaging therapy, psychiatryChoosing your own therapistBroadest insurance coverage
Rating4.6/5 Top Rated4.5/5 Recommended4.3/5 Recommended

The average Aetna member with mental health coverage pays $15–25 per online therapy session. Without insurance, the same session costs $100–175. If your plan is active, using it is almost always worth the extra step to verify.

What If My Aetna Plan Isn't Accepted?

Not every Aetna plan works with every platform. If you enter your insurance details and get a "not covered" result, you still have options:

Out-of-network reimbursement
Many Aetna PPO plans cover out-of-network mental health at 50–70% after deductible. Pay upfront, submit a claim for partial reimbursement. Call the number on the back of your card to check your out-of-network mental health benefits.
Aetna EAP
Even if your therapy plan is limited, your employer's EAP may offer free sessions through a separate benefit. Typically 3–8 sessions — enough to bridge the gap while you sort out longer-term coverage.
Financial assistance programs
BetterHelp offers financial aid that can reduce costs by 10–40%. Calmerry starts at $42/week without insurance. Neither accepts Aetna directly, but both are affordable alternatives when insurance doesn't apply.
Affordable self-pay alternatives
If insurance isn't working for you, see our guide to affordable online therapy for platforms starting at $30/session with no insurance required.

About Our Editorial Process

DTS

DTS Research Team Editorial

Insurance Navigation · Anxiety Disorders · CBT

Every recommendation on this page was independently researched, cross-referenced against current clinical literature, and verified for accuracy by the DTS editorial team. Platforms are re-evaluated monthly.
Read our editorial policy →

We're not therapists — we're researchers who spent hundreds of hours comparing these platforms so you don't have to. Some links on this page are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you sign up. This never influences which platforms we recommend. For professional guidance, please consult a licensed mental health provider.

Insurance coverage depends on your specific Aetna plan. Copay estimates are based on averages reported by each platform and may vary. We update monthly, but confirm your coverage directly with the platform before signing up.