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First Health Network (EHN) Mental Health Insurance Coverage

Emma Loker
Published: 01/21/2026 | Updated: 01/21/2026
Authored by: Emma Loker, BSc, PgDip
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Just like physical health care, mental health coverage should support you and your family when care is needed. It’s therefore important to ensure you have the right coverage before a mental health concern becomes urgent. Whether you’re facing a depressive episode, anxiety symptoms, or the effects of a traumatic experience such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), having clear mental health benefits can make it easier to get help when it matters most.

However, until you know what an insurance plan includes, it can be difficult to know whether it’s the right fit for you and your family. Mental health insurance can be complicated, so this guide has been created to help you understand First Health behavioral health insurance and how it works. Below, we will cover important information like: 

  • First Health insurance basics
  • First Health insurance eligibility and billing
  • Insurance application and costs
  • First Health mental health benefits
  • Information on First Health providers
  • First Health mental health coverage options
Teen boy laying with arms crossed and head resting on arms looking worried about seeking support with First Health Network Mental Health Insurance

What Is First Health Network Insurance?

First Health Network is a nationwide network of medical professionals that are grouped together to provide accessible, cost-effective healthcare to members. As a preferred provider organization (PPO), Forest Health has built a network of approximately 1 million providers, giving members broad access to care. First Health focuses on health care access solutions that help reduce the overall costs associated with medical care. 

Aetna Inc., which is part of CVS Health, is the parent company of First Health Network. First Health shares the values and core standards of CVS Health and Aetna but operates independently. This structure allows First Health to maintain its focus on offering a large provider network at a lower cost, while benefiting from the resources and research of CVS Health.1

Who Qualifies for First Health Insurance?

First Health Network covers most areas of the United States with some specific exclusions and is one of the largest PPO networks nationwide. As a result, if you have an employer-sponsored PPO, Medicaid, or another participating plan, you may be able to access First Health’s network of hospitals and physicians. To help avoid any unexpected or out-of-network charges, members are encouraged to confirm coverage details directly with providers before receiving care.2,3

How Does the Billing Work?

A major component of First Health is its focus on helping to make health care more affordable. The First Health PPO Network is able to do this through partnerships with medical facilities and professionals, which allow providers to offer services at negotiated, lower rates for members.

The billing process typically follows these steps:

  • The patient chooses an in-network provider
  • The patient receives the necessary medical care
  • The provider submits a claim for services rendered
  • First Health receives and reviews the claim
  • First Health pays the provider according to network agreements
  • The patient receives an Explanation of Benefits (EOB)

After receiving your treatment and EOB, it’s important to review the information carefully to ensure the services listed match the care you received. Overall, the billing process is designed to be straightforward, and patients can generally expect quality care at a discounted, in-network rate.2

Who Are First Health Behavioral Health Providers?

First Health has partnered with hospitals and health care providers all across the United States to offer one of the largest networks available to its members. This network includes behavioral health hospitals, mental health rehab programs, residential treatment programs, inpatient facilities, and outpatient providers. Through these partnerships, mental health professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists, and licensed therapists can provide care at negotiated, in-network rates, helping to make treatment more affordable and accessible.

Does First Health Have Therapy Coverage?

As with other aspects of your healthcare, First Health includes access to psychotherapists and talk therapy sessions within its network. Talk Therapy is part of most mental health treatment plans and is also referred to as psychotherapy. These treatments typically involve multiple sessions, but can continue for as long as they are needed, with many people finding ongoing regular therapy beneficial.  First Health’s therapy coverage includes individual, group, and family therapy sessions, allowing you to choose the best format for your needs. 

During therapy sessions, individuals can benefit from the latest evidence-based therapy approaches to help heal old wounds, set new goals, and work through emotional challenges. Many mental health facilities offer several options, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), somatic therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), which have been shown to help reduce distress associated with trauma and harmful memories.4 

Does First Health Cover Other Mental Health Services?

If you have a longer-term mental health condition or are managing an ongoing emotional disorder, you may need more focused therapy, medication, or addiction treatment to support your wellbeing. First Health behavioral health providers offer access to a range of mental health services within the network, helping members receive high-quality treatment at negotiated rates. To avoid any unexpected costs, it’s important to confirm that your doctor, counselor, or treatment is in-network before beginning care. Below are examples of common mental health conditions and treatment options that may be accessed through First Health coverage.  

First Health Depression Treatment 

Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions, and its symptoms can be persistent and difficult to manage without support. Whether symptoms are mild, moderate, or severe, speaking with a mental health professional is an important step, especially if you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm. Trained therapists can help treat depression through CBT and other evidence-based psychotherapies designed to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning. These one-to-one sessions typically last between 45 minutes and one hour and may sometimes be complemented by visits with a psychiatrist who can evaluate the need for medication.5

First Health Anxiety Counseling

Anxiety is another widely experienced mental health condition, often marked by feelings of impending danger, racing thoughts, and physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat or sweaty palms. While most people experience anxiety at times, for some people, symptoms can be constant and overwhelming, as is often seen with generalized anxiety. In cases where anxiety is so profound that it interferes with your daily life or things you used to enjoy, seeking counseling can provide much-needed relief.  Anxiety is highly treatable, and working with a mental health professional can be an important step toward relief. As with depression, anxiety is often treated with psychotherapy such as CBT to help build coping skills and confidence. It may also be paired with anti-anxiety medications, sedatives, or beta-blockers when recommended by a physician.6

First Health PTSD Therapy

A diagnosis of PTSD often involves both a physical examination and a mental health evaluation. Receiving a diagnosis indicates that you have experienced or been exposed to serious injury, violence, or a life-threatening event, whether directly, by witnessing it, or through learning about trauma experienced by someone close to you. PTSD can last for months, years, or even a lifetime if untreated, but there are effective options for recovery. Talk therapy is often used to help individuals better understand themselves, learn coping strategies, and manage related conditions such as depression and anxiety. EMDR is commonly used in PTSD therapy to reduce the distress that often results from traumatic memories. This and other forms of therapy can make a life-changing difference in helping you manage flashbacks and trauma-related symptoms.7,8

First Health Residential Treatment

When it becomes too difficult to manage your mental health at home, if you are feeling unable to do your daily activities or if you are having thoughts of harming yourself or others, it may be time to consider an inpatient program. Residential treatment often involves talk therapy and coping and life skill development, with a structured daily routine to support stability and self-efficacy. This can be particularly important for individuals with a dual diagnosis involving a mental health condition alongside substance use. In these cases, residential treatment removes access to substances that may worsen symptoms.9

What Is the Value of Mental Health Help?

Therapy and other mental health treatments can help with many aspects of life, and the benefits are widely recognised within psychology and mental health care. Through therapy, you can move through the healing process and learn to cope more effectively with the stresses of daily life. Being able to manage feelings such as fear, anger, sadness, or other difficult emotions is a valuable skill, but one that many people need support with.4
Teen girl walking to school with friends across park smiling after support with First Health Network Mental Health Insurance

Mission Prep: First Health Insurance Accepted Mental Health Rehab

If you are interested in learning more about how the First Health Network mental health benefits can support you and your family, contact Mission Prep today. Our team is available to answer your questions and help you better understand the details of your coverage. Mission Prep offers a range of treatment options, including CBT therapy and inpatient programs, depending on individual needs.

We can work closely with First Health Network in order to ensure you are able to make the best decision for you. You can find a location near you today and speak with one of our admissions counselors to learn more about the process of accessing care and what support is available to you.

References

  1. Insubuy. (2025, October 29). First Health Network PPO: Options, Reviews & How it Works. Insubuy. https://www.insubuy.com/first-health-ppo-network-faq/ 
  2. VisitorsCoverage Inc. (2024, July 29). How to use First Health PPO Network. https://www.visitorscoverage.com/how-first-health-ppo-works/ 
  3. Oliver, J. (2025, October 13). First Health Network Payer ID: complete guide for healthcare providers. MedCare MSO. https://medcaremso.com/blog/first-health-network-payer-id/ 
  4. Mental Health America. (2025, March 26). Therapy | Mental Health America. https://mhanational.org/resources/therapy/ 
  5. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). (2024, April 15). Depression: Learn More – How is depression treated? InformedHealth.org – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279282/ 
  6. Anxiety disorders – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350967 
  7. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355973 
  8. EMDR Institute. (2024, December 3). What is EMDR? – EMDR Institute – Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy. https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/ 
  9. Cepni, A. B., Kirschmann, J. M., Rodriguez, A., & Johnston, C. A. (2025). When Routines Break: The Health Implications of Disrupted Daily Life. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 15598276251381626. https://doi.org/10.1177/15598276251381626 
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