Aetna Maximum Savings Guide
Instructions on finding Maximum Savings providers
As an employee enrolled in a Stanford-sponsored Aetna health plan, your medical plans cover X-rays, imaging, diagnostic blood work, physical therapy, and tests like colonoscopies.
While you will always have a choice on where to receive these services, considering quality and convenience, there are ways you can reduce your costs when choosing among in-network providers for certain services, such as labs, imaging, and physical therapy. Refer to the Comparison Chart for details and see the example below for how lab services are tiered for the Stanford Select Co-Pay Health Plan:
Example Lab Service for Stanford Select Co-Pay Health Plan | Maximum Savings Provider cost | Standard/Tier 2 Provider cost | Average Provider Costs |
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel | 100%, no deductible, no copay | 100%, no deductible after $50 copay | Maximum Savings $8; Standard Savings $171 |
Lipid Panel | 100%, no deductible, no copay | 100%, no deductible after $50 copay | Maximum Savings $9; Standard Savings $110 |
The following information below outlines the steps to take to ensure you are using the most cost-effective option.
Finding Maximum Savings providers
Utilize the Aetna Portal: When searching for providers or facilities, look for the "Maximum Savings/Tier 1" designation on the Aetna portal. Note, at this time, Stanford Health Care is not a Maximum Savings provider for labs, imaging, and physical therapy.
Steps:
- Visit Aetna.com and log in to your account.
Please note: To get the most accurate information, make sure you log in to your account rather than searching as a guest. Your account is linked to your plan’s network and will display the most accurate results. Search results through a guest login are more general and not specific to your plan.
- Navigate to the "Find Care & Pricing" section
- Click on “Find a Provider”
- Enter your desired service or specialty in the search bar
- You can change the “for” and “near” options from your name and home address if needed
- Search results should list Maximum Savings providers first
Still have questions? Contact Aetna Member Services at 833-971-4583.
Saving on lab work
If you wish to choose maximum savings on your labs:
- If your labs have not been drawn yet, you can choose a preferred provider lab, such as LabCorp, Quest Diagnostics, or BioReference. You can search your specific plan’s DocFind directory or by calling the number on your ID card.
- If your provider suggests onsite lab draws at a Standard lab provider, you can request your provider to send the lab order to a Maximum Savings lab instead.
- If labs were drawn onsite at a Standard lab provider and not at a Maximum Savings provider lab, you can ask your provider to send the sample to the Maximum Savings lab for processing. Note, not all providers accommodate this request. However, you can use the opportunity to discuss with your provider that you would like future lab services to be done at a Maximum Savings provider.
Saving on imaging
If you wish to choose maximum savings on imaging:
- If you have not had imaging done yet, you can choose a Maximum Savings facility, such as SimonMed, RAYUS Radiology, or Silicon Valley MRI & CT. You can search your specific plan’s DocFind directory or by calling the number on your ID card.
- Ask your provider to obtain prior authorization for complex imaging (e.g., MRI/CT scan) at the Maximum Savings facility you selected.
Saving on physical therapy
If you wish to choose maximum savings on physical therapy:
- Choose a Maximum Savings provider facility by searching the DocFind directory or by calling the number on your ID card.
Standard Savings/Tier 2 facility/provider
When you are choosing the best providers for you, you may notice that some providers are listed as Standard Savings, which falls into the Tier 2 category, and other providers are listed as Maximum Savings Maximum Savings providers are those who have decided to contract with Aetna at a lower cost of services. You may choose either Standard Savings providers or Maximum Savings providers, it is up to you. If you choose to use Standard Savings providers, please be aware that you will generally pay more to use them. To see the difference between Maximum Savings and Standard Savings for labs, imaging, and physical therapy, you can view our Comparison Tool.
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding these steps to ensure you’re saving the most for these specific services: lab work, imaging, and physical therapy, contact Aetna’s Member Services at 833-971-4583.