Does Aetna Medicare Cover Telehealth?
- Aetna Medicare Advantage plans may cover more telehealth benefits than Original Medicare (Parts A and B). Find out how these plans cover telehealth and how to find a plan that may cover expanded telehealth benefits.
Telehealth coverage has received a big boost from Medicare in recent years, largely in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
But what telemedicine benefits does Aetna offer through some Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans?
Like all Medicare Advantage plans, Aetna Medicare Advantage plans provide as much telehealth coverage as Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B) does. All Medicare Advantage plans are required by law to provide coverage for everything covered by Original Medicare.
Medicare Advantage plans may offer additional benefits not covered by Original Medicare, which may include coverage for expanded telehealth services.
What Telehealth Services Are Covered by Aetna Medicare?
Telemedicine, or virtual care, refers to “medical or mental health advice or treatment provided by phone, mobile app or online video.”1
Aetna Medicare Advantage plans cover a lengthy list of telehealth services including:
- Routine care
- Sick visits
- Urgent care
- Prescription refills
- Individual and group behavioral health services
- Annual wellness visits
- Depression screenings
- Alcohol misuse screenings
- Smoking and tobacco cessation treatment
- Opioid treatment
- Management of End Stage Renal Disease
- Advanced care planning
- Medical nutrition therapy
Aetna provides an online list of telehealth services that may be covered by Aetna Medicare Advantage plans.
Aetna Medicare Advantage plan members may also access CVS MinuteClinic facilities virtually.
How Do You Use Telehealth With an Aetna Medicare Plan?
Start by asking your doctor or other health care provider about the telehealth services they offer. Then log into your Aetna account or call the phone number on your plan ID card to check which telehealth services are covered by your Aetna plan.
You may also review your evidence of coverage to see which telehealth services may be covered.
Certain telehealth services may require a referral or prior authorization in order to be covered.
Depending on the type of Aetna Medicare Advantage plan you have, you may need to receive your telehealth services from an in-network provider in order to remain eligible for coverage.
For instance, Aetna HMO plans typically restrict coverage only to care administered by Aetna in-network doctors. But Aetna PPO members can often get at least partial coverage even when receiving care from an out-of-network provider.
Aetna Medicare partners with Teladoc to provide telehealth services. Aetna Medicare plan members may connect with board-certified doctors and other health care providers by phone, video or mobile app 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
You may download the Aetna mobile app for Android devices and for Apple devices. While the app is not necessary for utilizing Aetna-covered telehealth, it can provide a faster and more streamlined portal to your benefits.
Does Aetna Medicare Supplement Insurance Cover Telehealth?
Medicare Supplement Insurance, or Medigap, provides coverage for Original Medicare out-of-pocket costs. While an Aetna Medigap plan won’t cover telehealth directly, it can cover the out-of-pocket expenses you would otherwise incur when receiving telehealth care with Original Medicare.
For example, Medicare Part B charges a 20% coinsurance payment for telehealth services. An Aetna Medigap plan can cover the cost of that coinsurance requirement in full.
How Do I Enroll in an Aetna Medicare Plan That Covers Telehealth?
Contact a licensed insurance agent or request an online plan comparison to see a list of Aetna Medicare Advantage plans available in your area and to get started shopping, comparing and enrolling if you’re eligible.
Joseph, Christina. Telemedicine: How to take advantage of this health care perk. Aetna. https://www.aetna.com/health-guide/what-is-telemedicine.html.
