While employee assistance programs (EAPs) are voluntary for employers, they can provide invaluable support in times of need. Today’s EAPs serve the whole spectrum of life, work, and family challenges. This can include overwhelming financial debt, workplace difficulties, lack of dependable child care, and similar scenarios.
The modern EAP also helps during times of stress that impact the entire employee population. Layoffs, business crises, workplace violence, racial tensions, and world events can all warrant the need for group EAP services.
An EAP is an employee benefits offering that provides confidential employer-paid services for managing personal and/or professional situations. Therapists, coaches, and other experts are available to help employees and their family members.
EAP services can include assessments, short-term therapy/coaching, and referrals to specialized third-party resources. EAPs assist with:
There are more than 400 EAP businesses in an industry valued at $4.5 billion.1 Employers can choose from different types of EAPs, including:2
Offering an EAP to your employees can help improve presenteeism, productivity, and performance, while also positively impacting health care spend. People show up to work more fully when all aspects of their lives are in order.
Your EAP should be comprehensive in supporting each individual and their eligible family members. It should also reinforce the efforts of your human resources and leadership teams with consultations and training.
Ask these questions when considering your EAP offering:
Employee assistance programs continue to evolve with changing needs. Some of the prevailing trends include:
Highmark is helping transform the EAP marketplace with our EAP + Mental Well-Being solution, powered by Spring Health. This streamlined, integrated solution provides continuity across services and providers, ensuring personalized care for employees and dependents age 6 and up.
EAP + Mental Well-Being provides support for life, work, and family challenges, as well as behavioral health conditions like:
We use clinically proven assessments, supported by proprietary algorithms, to match individuals with the right level of care. Members are offered personalized, integrated care plans in response to the assessment.
Care plans might include therapy, coaching, digital tools, and/or ongoing care navigation and support. Members have a choice of providers specific to their needs, with access to care in three days or fewer. All services are easily accessed online or via the Mental Well-Being solution phone app.
Certified coaches provide support for navigating daily life, improving communication, setting goals, and choosing healthy habits. The solution also offers a digital library of 150+ mental health exercises for stress relief and coping. Employees who need additional help can access a care navigator, clinical therapist, and medication management services.
The Mental Well-Being solution is fully integrated and streamlined to ensure that there is no disruption to care. Members have the option to continue seeing their provider, even after employer-paid sessions are completed.
EAP + Mental Well-Being incorporates more services and resources than a traditional EAP. The solution reduces obstacles to care, while delivering a 2:1 return on investment. The result is a more engaging and cost-effective offering, with integrated care delivery and improved care coordination.
Employers also have access to leadership training and support programs that foster employee well-being. Management consultations and referrals are available, along with support for critical incidents requiring rapid response.
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All references to “Highmark” in this communication are references to Highmark Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, and/or to one or more of its affiliated Blue companies.
Spring Health is an independent company that provides mental health care services through its agents. Spring Health does not provide Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield products or services. Spring Health is solely responsible for their mental health care services.
Talk to your client manager today and we’ll help you find the right health plan for your company.
