06/06/2026
🌅 Good Evening. I’m just here on a RANT, but it does provide some good information. These are just my own opinions.
🌱 Many of you are probably familiar with some of the on-line therapy brands like Headspace, Grow, Better Help, Alma…
along with some of the largest insurance companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield, United, Aetna…
🧐 Here is the issue: Aetna and Alma collaborated and they’ve announced some changes. Effective June 2026, Aetna will launch a new program called Aetna Mental Health On Demand to their customers. Sounds good. A free therapy session!
Aetna will offer their customers ONE therapy session with a clinician either virtually or via phone or text. This is a clinician that works FOR your insurance company. 🤔 Probably nothing to worry about there. Additionally, the clinician will provide “resources” to the client. The “resources” will likely be referral to an online therapist through Alma.
The other factor is how this will financially impact therapists and clients.
🧠 Aetna, in conjunction with Alma, has announced that they will no longer accept or reimburse therapists for the CPT Code 90837. That code is YOUR INDIVIDUAL 55-60 MINUTE THERAPY SESSION. Read that again.
🤯 Aetna has recommended therapists use a different billing code instead. They are pushing for us to use CPT code 90832, which is a 45 minute session. This change reduces the amount Aetna/Alma will reimburse your therapist.
🤷🏻♀️What does that mean? Well, two things really. It significantly reduces a therapists average hourly income.
💰 This greatly impacts clients too. If your insurance company reduces the amount they reimburse your therapist, then the remaining cost of the session is your responsibility. This cost will likely be in addition to the co-pay amount you already pay, along with the increased insurance premiums you now pay and the larger deductibles you have to meet.
🎀 So, basically big insurance companies have re-branded “therapy” and reduced it to “Case Management” and wrapped it up with a cute little bow to make clients feel good about getting ONE free on-demand therapy session! (And some “resources”).
⁉️ REAL QUESTION ⁉️
How many of you have went to one therapy session and accomplished what you went in to accomplish??
🖥️ There are other issues that come with this change. We don’t know the qualifications of the “clinician”. They state that “clinicians have been trained on a clinically proven single-session intervention model”. You may be talking with an AI chatbot. So many issues regarding that. All the information you’re talking about during a session is now in the hands of your insurance company.
🤦 Aetna claims they will be assisting clients by scheduling follow up appointments and will coordinate ongoing care. So, the insurance company is in charge of your mental health. It is further stated Aetna’s “clinician-led care management program utilizes advanced predictive tools that identify members at risk of future inpatient admissions.” Client care will now be summarized based on how your medical history reads to AI.
💫 And this is just the beginning. Other companies and platforms are already merging and re-branding to make it sound like it’s an improved benefit for you.
🤖 Another resource in our area, an Employee Assistance Program, is now offering a supplement to human-led counseling in the form of 24/7 Virtual Behavioral Health Therapy or AI generated wellness chat bots for immediate emotional support.
💭 What are some of your thoughts and concerns about these changes? What about risks and benefits of these programs? I’m truly interested in everyone’s perspective. Post away!
Disclaimer: I’m investigating these statements and numbers a bit further because I want to be accurate and will update accordingly.
