Employee Assistance Programs, also known as EAP, are non-insurance, employer-based programs focused on mental health issues; personal and legal problems; disease prevention; and health and wellness advocacy in the workplace. Employee Assistance Plans have become a valuable way to supplement employer-subsidized group health plan. EAP plans work to keep costs down by preventing major illness and minimizing common workplace stresses.
Employee Health Assistance Plan Benefits
Unlike employer-based group health insurance, Employee Assistance Programs are usually provided free of charge. An onsite EAP office may be maintained at the workplace, or a toll-free 800 number may be provided for employees to call for help or for referrals to local agencies at any time.
Employee issues commonly addressed by EAP include (but are not limited to) health, marital, family, financial, alcohol, drug, legal, emotional, stress, and anything else that may affect job performance
Employee Health Assistance Advantages
Employers offering EAP tend to pay lower premiums for group health insurance and also tend to have healthier employees and fewer workplace accidents. By addressing the personal issues of valued employees before they become medical problems, EAP reduces employer health care costs and increases workplace productivity. EAP also reduces employer liability exposure for accidents and labor conflicts, and minimizes the potential for workplace violence.
Find Employee Health Assistance
Many employers already provide some type of Employee Assistance Program as part of their health insurance plan (and likely even to employees who opt out of group health insurance). EAP is usually free, and is available for problems that may seem unconnected to work, like financial stress, drug addiction, and family conflicts.
An employee’s Human Resource department can usually direct an employee to EAP program contacts. Employees can also call their health care provider or health insurance company for relevant EPA referrals and information.
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