Aetna does not cover more than one initial PT evaluation within 180 days. Really?

I recently started PT again for a SLAP tear (shoulder labral tear) that I sustained years ago. During the course of my treatment, it became clear that lower back pain that I had been experiencing for some time (before my shoulder flared up again) was holding me back in strengthening the core muscles needed for me to use my arm pain free, and my physical therapist recommended I go back to the doctor for another referral so I could address both. He was very helpful in giving me some basic stretches that I could do at home to help my back in the interim, but said he couldn’t do much work on my back without another referral since it was outside of the scope of the initial referral.

Fast forward to this week, I finally go about going back to the doctor, get a referral for PT for my back, and while attempting to make an appointment specifically for my back I was told that Aetna has a policy of only covering one PT initial evaluation per 180 days, regardless of the circumstances (it’s not like the PT practice is circling back and trying to double-dip on my insurance from the same injury). I was told that I could book, but I would have to self-pay for the first visit to the tune of $180, but every visit after would be covered at my regular rate of coinsurance. The receptionist was very sympathetic and recommended I just wait another 8 weeks until the other visit dropped off from the 180 day window if I could. She also stated that Aetna is the only insurer that has such a rule and that none of the other major insurers try to limit coverage in this specific way.

I can afford to pay, but I can also probably just suck it up for another 8 weeks (it’s already been 6+ months of dealing with the pain). But really the whole situation just strikes me as really unexpected that such a policy could be defendable. What are they trying to accomplish? Obviously limiting their own costs, but I’m baffled that such a policy exists. I always understood Aetna was one of the “better” insurers compared to the likes of United and Cigna. Other than the high deductible ($1,500) which I already hit this year, I always thought my policy to be otherwise a decent one and included even some very pricey non-required services like IVF, etc.

My question- has anyone else experienced Aetna’s 180 day PT limitation before, and can it be appealed? This isn’t my provider trying to double-dip, this is legit a different injury that I also need care for. TIA.