Head Neck and Spine
Center of San Diego
5151 Shoreham Pl.
Suite 175
San Diego, CA 92122
Tel: 858-558-3111
Chiropractor Accepting Aetna Insurance in San Diego
If you have Aetna insurance and you're looking for a chiropractor in San Diego, Dr. Jordan Loewenstein is in-network with many Aetna PPO plans and currently accepting new patients. The office is located in UTC at 5151 Shoreham Place — close to UCSD, La Jolla, and Sorrento Valley.
Not sure if your specific plan is covered? Call (858) 558-3111 and we'll verify your Aetna benefits before your first visit. No homework required on your end.
Is Chiropractic Care Covered by Aetna?
Yes — Aetna covers chiropractic care for musculoskeletal conditions when treatment is medically necessary. In practice, that means you have a documented spine or soft tissue condition (neck pain, back pain, sciatica, sports injury, etc.) and care is showing measurable progress.
Most Aetna PPO plans do not require a referral to see a chiropractor. Some Aetna HMO plans may require one from your primary care physician — it depends on your specific plan. If you're not sure, call us and we'll sort it out before your appointment.
Coverage in California varies by employer and plan type. Benefits verification before your first visit is always the safest move.
Aetna PPO vs. HMO — What's the Difference for Chiropractic?
Aetna PPO plans offer the most flexibility for chiropractic care. You can typically see an in-network chiropractor directly — no referral, no gatekeeper. Copays and visit limits vary by plan, but most PPO plans cover a set number of chiropractic visits per year or continue coverage as long as care is medically necessary.
Aetna HMO plans may require a referral from your primary care provider before chiropractic visits are covered. Once approved, in-network coverage generally applies.
If you have an Aetna Open Choice PPO, Aetna Choice POS II, or another employer-sponsored plan, there's a good chance we're in-network. Call the office and we'll confirm it directly.
What Conditions Does Aetna Cover for Chiropractic Care?
Aetna commonly covers chiropractic care for the following musculoskeletal conditions:
Neck pain and cervical stiffness — joint restriction, muscle tension, and limited range of motion. See our neck pain page for more on how we treat it.
Low back pain — mechanical pain, lumbar restriction, and disc-related symptoms. Learn more about our approach to back pain.
Sciatica-related pain — radiating pain into the hip, glute, or leg from lumbar involvement. More on sciatica-related pain.
Headaches — tension-type and cervicogenic headaches originating from the neck. See our headache treatment page.
Sports and activity-related injuries — joint restriction, soft tissue strain, and overuse injuries. More on sports injury care.
Posture-related pain — forward head posture, thoracic stiffness, and pelvic imbalance. See our posture-related pain page.
Coverage applies when care is deemed medically necessary and documented improvement is tracked over time. Dr. Loewenstein's notes are written to meet Aetna's medical necessity criteria — so your care stays covered as long as you're responding to treatment.
What to Expect at Your Visit
The UTC office is a single-provider practice, which means every visit is with Dr. Loewenstein — not a rotating staff of assistants. Appointments run longer than most chiropractic offices because the work actually gets done in the room.
A typical visit includes:
-
Full assessment on your first visit: movement patterns, joint restrictions, orthopedic testing, and a conversation about your history and goals
-
Hands-on chiropractic adjustments — full-spine approach including cervical, thoracic, and lumbar
-
Soft tissue therapy — Active Release Technique (ART) when appropriate
-
Spinal traction using the Hill Labs Auto Flexion Table for disc and lumbar cases
-
Movement-based recommendations tailored to your specific condition
You won't be handed off to a tech for electrical stim and sent home in 10 minutes. If that's been your experience with chiropractic before, this is different.
Aetna Insurance FAQs
Does Dr. Loewenstein accept Aetna insurance?
Yes. Dr. Jordan Loewenstein is in-network with many Aetna PPO plans at his San Diego office at 5151 Shoreham Place, Suite 175, UTC/University City, San Diego, CA 92122.
Does the office accept Aetna PPO?
Yes. Most Aetna PPO plans are accepted. PPO plans typically do not require a referral and allow direct booking with an in-network chiropractor.
Does the office accept Aetna HMO?
Some Aetna HMO plans are accepted. HMO plans may require a referral from your primary care physician before chiropractic visits are covered. Call (858) 558-3111 to confirm your specific plan.
Is chiropractic care covered by Aetna in California?
Yes. Aetna covers chiropractic care in California when treatment is medically necessary. Coverage applies to conditions including neck pain, back pain, sciatica, headaches, and sports injuries. The number of covered visits and copay amounts depend on your specific plan.
What is Aetna's medical necessity criteria for chiropractic care?
Aetna considers chiropractic care medically necessary when: (1) you have a documented neuromusculoskeletal disorder, (2) the need for treatment is clearly documented, and (3) measurable improvement is shown within the first two weeks of care. If improvement isn't demonstrated, Aetna may require a modified treatment plan.
How many chiropractic visits does Aetna cover per year?
It depends on your plan. Some Aetna plans cap visits at 20 per year; others cover visits on a medically necessary basis without a fixed limit. We verify your specific visit allowance before your first appointment.
Do I need a referral for chiropractic care with Aetna?
Most Aetna PPO plans do not require a referral. Some Aetna HMO plans do. Call our office and we'll confirm whether your plan requires one before you come in.
What is the copay for a chiropractic visit with Aetna?
Copays vary by plan, typically ranging from $20–$50 per visit for in-network chiropractic care. We'll give you a clear picture of your cost before your first appointment.
Can I use my HSA or FSA for chiropractic care with Aetna?
Yes. Chiropractic care is an eligible expense under both HSA and FSA accounts. This applies whether you're paying a copay, meeting a deductible, or paying out of pocket.
Does Aetna cover maintenance chiropractic care?
Generally, no. Aetna covers chiropractic care when it is medically necessary and progress is being documented. Routine maintenance visits after a condition has resolved are typically not covered under standard Aetna plans.
Is this office close to UTC, UCSD, or La Jolla?
Yes. The office is located at 5151 Shoreham Place in the UTC/University City neighborhood — about 5 minutes from UCSD, 10 minutes from La Jolla, and a short drive from Sorrento Valley and Mira Mesa. Street and garage parking available.
Can I book an appointment online?
Yes. New patients can book online or call/text (858) 558-3111. We'll verify your Aetna benefits before your visit.
Serving UTC, La Jolla, Sorrento Valley & UCSD
Our office is centrally located in UTC — one of the easiest spots in San Diego to reach from La Jolla, Sorrento Valley, Mira Mesa, and the UCSD area. If you work near Torrey Pines, the Sorrento Valley biotech corridor, or on campus, we're a realistic lunchtime or after-work stop.
Dr. Loewenstein is currently accepting new Aetna patients. Benefits verification is free and handled by the office before your first visit.
Schedule an Appointment
Have Aetna insurance? We'll verify your coverage.
Call or text: (858) 558-3111
Book online
5151 Shoreham Place, Suite 175 | San Diego, CA 92122 | UTC/University City