Basic Eap Types

EAP

Full-service EAPs offer a pre-determined number of face-to-face counseling visits, generally from three to eight per year (sometimes per incident). EAP counselors are community-based, licensed mental health professionals that contract with an MBHO or stand-alone EAP company. In addition to counseling visits, which are free to EAP members, the full-service EAP includes a full array of work/life referral services (referrals are free, but services incur costs), free information resources (Web-based and hard-copy books, pamphlets, videotapes), as well as management consultation services.

Work Life Benefits

A stepped-down version of the full-service EAP described above includes all EAP services except for the face-to-face counseling visits; these are often replaced with telephonic or Web-based access to EAP counselors.

Advantages of an EAP

EAPs offer easy access to timely problem resolution, and utilization tends to be high because accessing employee assistance carries less stigma than accessing behavioral healthcare benefits. An EAP is also a proven cost-management tool because of its focus on early resolution and its high utilization. Studies have shown that, after implementing an EAP, a plan can expect savings in the form of fewer and less expensive medical claims and reduced mental health and substance abuse costs. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that for every dollar invested in an EAP, employers generally save anywhere from $5 to $16.^[14] Successful EAP implementation relies on maintaining continuing visibility, and so EAP providers generally distribute a stream of regular communications to their EAP members, including onsite posters, newsletters, premium items, special mailings and email blasts.