Employee assistance program (EAP)

Employee assistance program (EAP) services are separate and distinct from a patient's behavioral health benefit plan. EAP is pre-purchased by employers for its employees, their dependents, and members of their households (“Participants”). As part of the program, Participants have access to a pre-determined number of counseling visits per issue, per individual, per plan year, at no cost to the Participant. The number of sessions varies depending on the program model purchased by the employer. The goal of the program is, in part, to help Participants address personal issues and bring balance to their lives.

What kinds of issues are discussed during an EAP visit? EAP services may include assessment and referral or short-term counseling. Patients may come to you for assistance with a broad range of issues, including but not limited, to:

• Relationship and marital concerns

• Parenting challenges

• Substance use

• Workplace stressors

• Depression and anxiety

• Ways to better manage stress and life’s daily challenges

• Loss and grief

Does the EAP have any exclusions?

The EAP benefit is not meant for long-term treatment/therapy and excludes the following:

• Psychiatric evaluations

• Medication management

• Psychological testing

• Court-ordered treatment

• Workers' Compensation/disability management/Family Medical Leave Act

• Fitness for duty/return to work determinations

• Employment law (more information outlined in the “Why is employment law excluded from the EAP?” section below)