How do we find a EAP to fit our needs?

[Guest Farah Semanie]

We are a 580 employee company. We have sights in about 7 states. We are having problems with our EAP plans. We pay a lot of money and do not see the employees using this benefit. Do you know of any EAP's that go fee for service? Is this a good idea?? ANy other options out there?

[Guest MEarner]

Charles Nechtem Enterprises offers a solution for small businesses utilizing a pay-as-you-go type approach. However, it occurrs to me that perhaps your current EAP is not focusing enough energy to educate employees and management about the services of the EAP to encourage more utilization. An EAP should be more than just a counseling benefit. A well run EAP should for instance be able to provide trainings, health and wellness workshops and other such services that promote more utilization. Might want to check out our website at http://www.charlesnechtem.com

[Guest nac]

You may want to do a full RFP. EAP's vary in their focus. For example, some lean more heavily to family issues, others to alcohol/substance abuse.

Things you want to look at:

-How much promotion do you do internally of the EAP? If the ees don't know about it, they won't use it.

-What kind of mental health coverage does your medical insurance provide? If it's generous, ees may be bypassing the EAP completely. Consider having the EAP act as gatekeeper.

-What kinds of issues do you see as recurring patterns with employees? Domestic problems? Alcohol/substance? Poor performance because of "stress"?

-Are you better off with a straight EAP, or do you need to look at a combined work/life and EAP program?

-Are you focusing on education, or treatment, or both? EAPs vary in the range of services they offer - from just the 800 number to on-site seminars for ees, training sessions for managers . . .

-Is the EAP intended to be a management resource as well as an employee resource (i.e. manager referrals for early intervention in an employment problem)

EAPs are not all created equal - you may have one that's not a good fit for your population.

[Guest gdm]

I agree with nac. We just reviewed our EAP and are moving to a new vendor effective 9/1/2000. We learned from our LTD vendor that they are pricing all new business with an EAP/Work Life program included. Our carrier agreed to add the coverage to our existing LTD plan - at no additional charge.