Psychiatrist That Takes Aetna, Cigna, Anthem, Optum, UnitedHealthcare or Medicare Near Burbank and Toluca Lake
Updated: 4 days ago
Written by the Prescribed Wellness Psychiatry team · Medically reviewed by Veronica Sanchez, MD · Verified September 29, 2026
Yes. Prescribed Wellness Psychiatry is in network with Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross of California, Carelon Behavioral Health, Cigna, Optum, UnitedHealthcare and Medicare for adult psychiatric evaluations, medication management and follow-up visits. Dr. Veronica Sanchez, MD, sees patients in person at 3800 Barham Blvd, Suite 416, off the 101 between Universal City and Toluca Lake, or by secure video anywhere in California.
Finding a psychiatrist who actually takes your insurance, near where you live or work, is one of the hardest parts of getting care. This page lists exactly which plans we accept, what you can expect to pay, whether you need a referral, and how to book a first visit near Burbank or Toluca Lake.
Key takeaways✓ We are in network with seven plans: Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Carelon Behavioral Health, Cigna, Optum, UnitedHealthcare and Medicare (Original and Medicare Advantage). ✓ Your plan sets your copay, deductible and coinsurance, not the practice. We verify your benefits and tell you the expected amount before your first visit. ✓ Most PPO plans do not require a referral to see a psychiatrist. Some HMO and Medicare Advantage plans do, and we check that for you. ✓ Video visits are covered by the plans we work with in the same way as office visits for most members; we confirm this when we verify your benefits. ✓ If your plan is not on the list, we provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement and self-pay pricing with a Good Faith Estimate. |
Which insurance plans does Prescribed Wellness Psychiatry accept?
We are in network with the following plans for outpatient adult psychiatry:
Aetna (commercial and employer plans)
Anthem Blue Cross of California
Carelon Behavioral Health (formerly Beacon; Carelon manages the mental health benefit for several employer and health plans, so it may appear on your card even if your medical plan has a different name)
Cigna (behavioral health benefits are often administered by Evernorth)
Optum Behavioral Health
UnitedHealthcare (behavioral health benefits are often administered by Optum)
Medicare, both Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans. Our Medicare psychiatry guide covers what Part B pays for and what you can expect to pay.
We do not currently accept Medi-Cal, L.A. Care or Kaiser Permanente. Networks change, and two plans from the same company can have different rules, so the most reliable step is to call us at (626) 681-3729 with your card in hand. We will tell you exactly where things stand for your plan that day.
What will I pay with in-network insurance?
Your plan sets the number, not the practice. With most in-network plans you pay a specialist copay per visit, or a share of the visit cost (coinsurance) until your deductible is met, and nothing more. Psychiatry visits are usually billed as specialist visits, so look for the specialist copay on your card rather than the primary care copay.
Before your first appointment we check your benefits and tell you the expected amount, so there are no surprises at the door. If your deductible has not been met for the year, we will tell you that too, and what the visit will cost until it is.
Medicare works a little differently: after the annual Part B deductible, Original Medicare pays 80% of the approved amount and you pay 20%, which a Medigap policy usually covers. The details are in our Medicare guide.
Do I need a referral or prior authorization to see a psychiatrist?
Usually not. Most PPO plans from Aetna, Anthem, Blue Shield, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare let you see an in-network psychiatrist without a referral from your primary care doctor. HMO plans often do require a referral, and some Medicare Advantage HMO plans require a referral or prior authorization for specialist visits.
If your plan requires a referral, we will tell you when we verify your benefits, and we can coordinate with your primary care doctor with your permission. Certain medications and treatments can also require prior authorization from your plan; when that comes up, we handle the paperwork and talk through alternatives if the first choice is not covered.
Does my insurance cover video visits?
For most members of the plans we accept, yes. Video visits with Dr. Sanchez are billed the same way as office visits, and we confirm telehealth coverage for your specific plan when we verify your benefits. You must be physically in California during a video visit, because that is where Dr. Sanchez is licensed.
Many of our patients near the studios and the Burbank lots do the first evaluation in person at the Barham Blvd office and then alternate video and in-person follow-ups depending on their schedule that month.
What if my plan is not on the list?
You can still be seen. After each visit we provide a superbill, an itemized receipt with the codes your insurer needs, which you submit for out-of-network reimbursement. Many PPO plans pay a meaningful share of an out-of-network psychiatry visit once your out-of-network deductible is met. Call us and we will tell you what plans like yours typically cover before you decide.
If you would rather not use insurance, self-pay pricing is available, and you receive a Good Faith Estimate of the cost before your first visit, as required by the federal No Surprises Act.
What does an in-network visit look like at Prescribed Wellness?
Your first visit with Dr. Sanchez is a 50-minute evaluation, not a fifteen-minute intake. Follow-up visits are 25 minutes. Care is medication management with attention to sleep, nutrition, movement and stress, and Dr. Sanchez coordinates with your other physicians with your permission when it helps. Visits are held in English or Spanish. If you are new to psychiatry, our guide to what to expect at your first psychiatric evaluation walks through the visit step by step.
The office is at 3800 Barham Blvd, Suite 416, Los Angeles, CA 90068, just off the 101 at the Barham exit, about a mile from the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank and close to Toluca Lake, with parking in the building. If you work in entertainment, our guide for people who work in the industry covers how we handle privacy and scheduling around production.
How do I book a first visit near Burbank or Toluca Lake?
Call or text (626) 681-3729, or request an appointment online. Tell us the name of your plan as it appears on your card.
Have your insurance card ready, or send a photo of the front and back through the patient portal.
We verify your coverage and tell you the expected cost, and whether your plan needs a referral, before your first visit.
Bring a list of your current medications and any recent lab results to the evaluation. First visits are usually available within the week, in person or by video.
Coming from Burbank? Our page on finding a psychiatrist serving Burbank covers directions, insurance and booking.
For the practice as a whole, including evaluations, medication management and visits in Spanish, see our psychiatrists in Los Angeles page.
Coming from Toluca Lake? Our page for psychiatrists serving Toluca Lake covers directions, insurance and booking.
Ready to get started? Book a first visit, meet Dr. Sanchez, or read what Medicare covers.
Coverage varies by plan, and benefits change. This page is general information, not a guarantee of coverage. Always confirm your specific benefits with your plan before your visit. Network status verified September 29, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Does Prescribed Wellness Psychiatry take Aetna?
Yes. Prescribed Wellness Psychiatry is in network with Aetna for adult psychiatric evaluations, medication management and follow-up visits, in person at 3800 Barham Blvd in Los Angeles or by secure video anywhere in California. Bring your Aetna card to your first visit; we verify your benefits and tell you the expected cost beforehand.
Does Prescribed Wellness Psychiatry take Cigna?
Yes. We are in network with Cigna. Cigna behavioral health benefits are sometimes administered under the Evernorth name; if that is what your card says, it is still Cigna and we can verify it in a few minutes. Visits are available in English or Spanish, in person or by video.
Do you take Anthem Blue Cross or Blue Shield of California?
We are in network with Anthem Blue Cross of California. Enrollment with Blue Shield of California is in progress; until it is complete, we provide a superbill you can submit for out-of-network reimbursement. Tell us which card you have when you call and we will check your specific plan.
Do you take UnitedHealthcare?
Yes. We are in network with UnitedHealthcare for adult psychiatry. UnitedHealthcare mental health benefits are often managed by Optum; if your card lists Optum Behavioral Health, that is the same benefit. We confirm your coverage before your first visit so there are no surprises.
What if my insurance is not on your list?
You can still be seen. We provide a superbill after each visit, an itemized receipt you submit to your insurer for out-of-network reimbursement, and many PPO plans pay a meaningful share. Self-pay pricing comes with a Good Faith Estimate before your first visit. We do not accept Medi-Cal or Kaiser at this time.
Sources
Medicare.gov. Mental health care (outpatient).
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. No Surprises Act and Good Faith Estimates.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, nor a guarantee of insurance coverage. Coverage rules and costs change and vary by plan; always verify your benefits. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911.
Comments