Employee Assistance Program
What is an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?
Employee Assistance Programs are confidential resources for employees who wish to speak to a counselor regarding any number of issues from family, to work, to stress to depression and more. It can also be used as a tool for supervisors in their dealings with their employees.
The EAP also provides access to a 30-minute consultation with an EAP attorney on legal matters. A 30-minute consultation with an EAP financial consultant is also free. If the services of the EAP attorney or EAP financial consultant are retained, a 25% reduced rate from their regular fees will be charged.
Who provides the EAP through the AWC Trust?
The Trust uses APS Healthcare as our EAP carrier.
How much does it cost my employees to use the EAP?
If your employee has Regence BlueShield/Asuris Northwest Health, they have from 1 up to 3 free visits with an EAP counselor. These free visits are per issue. (Yes, the employee could see the EAP for their free sessions several times in any given year. As long as it is for a different issue each time, they get another 1-3 free visits!)
How does one access these services?
Simply call the EAP at 1-800-570-9315. The counselor on the phone will ask brief questions on what issue the employee is working on, as well as what city would be most convenient to see a counselor. A counselor in a close location to the employee will contact the employee to set up their first free EAP visit.
What determines 1 or 3 visits?
In the initial visit with the EAP counselor, it may be determined that this is a larger issue than what can be dealt with in 3 sessions. If that is the case, the counselor will refer the employee to additional counseling with another counselor.
If the employee is covered by Regence, then this referral will result in that counselor being paid at the increased percentage of 80%. (Without this referral, counseling is covered at 50% with a 25 visit annual maximum.)
If the issue can be resolved in 3 visits or less, then the employee will continue with the 3 free EAP visits.
Can we purchase more than 1-3 sessions?
Yes, the AWC also offers the option of a 1-5 session, or a 1-8 session plan. Check the AWC Trust Program Rates section to check on the rates for these programs.
Can we purchase this for our employees who are not covered by Regence?
Yes! Check the AWC Trust Program Rates section to see the rates for this program.
We have the EAP for our employees, but I'd like them to find out more about this program. Does the AWC offer any resources for us?
Yes! An AWC staff member or a APS Healthcare Northwest staff member is available to come to your office and explain all the benefits of the EAP to your employees. EAP Supervisor training is also available. Just call or email the AWC Trust to request an EAP training session.
The following brochures are also available.
- EAP Brochure (pdf, 493 kb)
- EAP - Financial Services Overview (pdf, 29 kb)
- EAP - Legal Services Overview (pdf, 31 kb)
Please email Tanya Campbell at tanyac@awcnet.org to request hard copies of the brochures listed above.
11/14/05