Aetna Telehealth: Everything You Need to Know

Members can make Teladoc Health and CVS Health Virtual Care visits at no cost or copay, depending on their plan, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Most commercial Aetna plans will cover virtual urgent care, primary care, mental health therapy and dermatology visits. Most Aetna members should consider the lowest cost option for care: Teladoc visits, available in many employer-sponsored plans and HMO plans with a $0 copay. It's minutes by phone, video or Aetna Health app.

What Is Aetna Telehealth?

Aetna telehealth is the umbrella term for the virtual care services included with most Aetna medical insurance plans. Because Aetna is a part of the CVS Health family of companies, Aetna members have access to virtual care in two ways: through Aetna's primary telehealth partner, Teladoc Health, and through CVS Health Virtual Care, which is connected to MinuteClinic providers.

Aetna members can manage most medical issues and needs without leaving home using these telehealth services. Urgent care for colds, flu, sinus, UTI, allergies, scheduled virtual primary care, mental health therapy, psychiatry, and dermatology consults with upload photos and respond in the next 24 hours.

This is determined by the plan you're given. Telehealth is offered through copays in all employer-sponsored plans, as well as in individual marketplace plans, Aetna Medicare Advantage and Aetna Student Health. Please verify what your plan provides in your plan documents or in the Aetna Health app.

How Aetna Teladoc Works

Aetna Teladoc is the most popular component of Aetna's virtual care suite. It takes approximately 5 minutes to get started. App or visit Teladoc.com/Aetna, register with your Aetna member ID and request a visit. To get urgent care, you can reach a board-certified doctor 24 hours a day via phone or video, typically in minutes. You can also call 1-855-835-2362 directly.

Aetna's Teladoc service providers can diagnose and treat hundreds of common conditions and provide prescriptions directly to your pharmacy. These covered visit types are usually 24/7 general medical (urgent care) and virtual primary care with a dedicated provider, mental health therapy, psychiatry by appointment, and dermatology reviews.

There is one exception for those who provide Teladoc services: They are not allowed to prescribe controlled substances during virtual visits. This includes most drugs used to treat ADHD, opioids and benzodiazepines. Those prescriptions will require an in-person provider.

What Does Aetna Telehealth Cost?

The aetna telehealth cost depends entirely on your plan type, and recent plan changes have made virtual care cheaper than ever for most members.

Many Aetna plans now charge a $0 copay for Teladoc visits. For example, Delaware's state employee Aetna HMO plan lists Teladoc at $0 versus $15 for in-person urgent care and $200 for the ER. Several large employers moved to $0 copay Teladoc virtual primary care in 2026. High-deductible (HDHP) members historically paid the full negotiated rate until meeting their deductible, but many employers have switched to flat $10 copays for Teladoc even on HDHP plans.

Typical 2026 cost ranges for Aetna members:

• Teladoc urgent care visit: $0 to $50 depending on plan

• Virtual primary care: $0 on many plans

• Virtual mental health therapy: $0 to $90 per session

• In-person urgent care (for comparison): $15 to $75 copay

• ER visit (for comparison): $150 to $500 copay

Teladoc shows your exact cost before you confirm any visit, so there are no surprise bills. If you're uninsured or your visit isn't covered, services like August's online urgent care offer $39 flat-rate visits with no insurance requirement at all.

Aetna Virtual Care Options Beyond Teladoc

Aetna virtual care extends past Teladoc in a few directions worth knowing about.

CVS Health Virtual Care connects members to MinuteClinic providers for on-demand visits and virtual primary care. Because Aetna and CVS are the same company, this option integrates with CVS pharmacies for same-day prescription pickup.

Your own PCP's virtual visits. Many in-network Aetna providers offer telehealth appointments directly. If your primary care doctor offers virtual visits, these bill at your normal office visit copay and keep your care with someone who knows your history.

Aetna virtual doctor visits for Medicare members. Aetna Medicare Advantage plans cover telehealth with in-network PCPs, specialists, urgent care clinics, and mental health providers. Most Aetna MA members can access both primary and urgent care virtually in 2026.

Talkspace and Telemynd provide additional virtual mental health options for some plans, including Aetna Student Health, covering therapy and psychiatric medication management for adults.

The Aetna Health App: Your Telehealth Hub

The Aetna Health app (App Store and Google Play) is the most convenient way for members to access the telehealth. You can initiate a Teladoc visit, locate in-network virtual providers, review claims following a Teladoc visit, check your plan's telehealth copays before scheduling a visit, and access your member ID card from the app.

For aetna health care members with chronic conditions, the app also logs a member's progress toward the deductible, as it may be a requirement for a member to meet the deductible first before their visits through telehealth are covered. The Aetna Medicare app has the same capabilities for Medicare members.

Of course, all of these services can be accessed via phone, too, if you don't want to use apps. Call Teladoc at 1-855-835-2362 or use the member services number found on the back of your Aetna card for information on the specific kinds of telehealth services that your plan offers.

When to Use Aetna Telehealth vs In-Person Care

Aetna telehealth handles most everyday medical needs, but knowing its limits saves you time and a second visit.

Telehealth works well for: colds, flu, sinus infections, allergies, UTIs, pink eye, rashes and skin issues, prescription refills, mental health therapy, and follow-up visits for stable chronic conditions like hypertension or hypothyroidism.

Go in person when you need: X-rays or imaging (sprains, possible fractures), stitches or wound care, physical exams that require hands-on evaluation, vaccinations, or lab draws. Aetna urgent care coverage applies at thousands of in-network urgent care centers nationwide, typically at a $15 to $75 copay.

Go to the ER for: chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, signs of stroke, head injuries with loss of consciousness, or any life-threatening symptom. Telehealth is never appropriate for emergencies.