Data Sheet: SupportLinc Employee Assistance Programs (3mb)

Data Sheet: SupportLinc Health Management Services (3mb)

No organization is immune to the human and financial costs of workplace and personal troubles that adversely affect an employee’s productivity. Today, over 88% of U.S. companies¹ are taking steps to increase their productivity and manage their health care costs by providing employees and family members with access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).

Ten years ago, the objective of the EAP was merely to reduce distress and provide members with the skills necessary to manage their problems more effectively. However, today’s EAP needs to offer more. In order to maximize the effectiveness of the program, an EAP needs to be a core component of a company’s Population Health Management (PHM) strategy. Why?

• The EAP’s fundamental knowledge of the workplace is greater than any other benefit.
• Productivity costs, which are directly addressed by an effective employee assistance program, cost U.S. companies four times as much as direct medical costs for unhealthy employees ².
• Wellness is a behavioral, not a physical, condition. The behavior change that is needed for an unhealthy employee to lead a healthier lifestyle can be addressed or enhanced by an Employee Assistance Program.

While the EAP of ten years ago can still be effective, the EAP of today plays the roles of organizational developer, productivity manager, proactive case-finder and, of course, behavioral health coach.

CuraLinc’s EAP, provided to client organizations under the brand name SupportLinc, provides employers with an organizational approach to working constructively with employees who experience personal and work-related problems, without becoming directly involved in their personal lives. It provides well-defined and specific channels for short-term counseling, as well as referrals beyond the EAP, when needed. The SupportLinc program can also integrate seamlessly with the other weapons in an organization’s PHM arsenal, particularly if a client chooses to implement CuraLinc’s EmpowerLinc services. With all CuraLinc Healthcare programs, confidentiality is a basic cornerstone, ensuring that employees will feel comfortable accessing the program.

CuraLinc provides the SupportLinc program to clients and client members with EAP Core Technology in mind. This “technology” represents the seven essential components of the employee assistance profession, as specified by the Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA). The seven components combine to create a unique approach to addressing work organization productivity issues and “employee client” personal concerns which affect job performance.

In addition to behavioral health counseling services, most of CuraLinc Healthcare's SupportLinc programs contain an integrated array of work-life benefits. Through these services, CuraLinc helps employees and their family members deal with "life's daily challenges" by providing consutation, support and resources.

• Family Assist: This research and referral service provides members with confidential support for issues throughout the life cycle - from dependent care for all ages to relocation assistance to finding a pet sitter or a local fitness center.
• Legal Assist: With Legal Assist, employees can obtain qualified legal support before their personal legal issues become performance obstacles. This program provides both in-person and telephonic access to attorneys in all 50 states.
• Financial Assist: Qualified financial counselors and educators are available for consultation through the SupportLinc program. Financial counselors address questions regarding financial issues and follow up by sending supporting educational materials and/or a written plan of action.

_{1 Society of Human Resource Management (2007), U.S. Companies With Over 500 Employees
2 Journal of Occupational Medicine (2007)}

In addition to the aforementioned EAP and work-life services, CuraLinc Healthcare also offers several unique programs that, when combined with SupportLinc, provide client organizations with powerful tools to increase productivity and reduce costs:

PharmaLinc: CuraLinc's Pharmacy Intervention Program, PharmaLinc, provides structured education and support to members who take psychotropic medication that was prescribed in a general medical setting.

DisabilityLinc: "Combining the services of an employee assistance program with a disability management program can shorten the duration of medical disability claims" ¹. DisabilityLinc complements the SupportLinc program by addressing the mental health and work-life issues that arise as a result of the claimant's impairment.

SupportLinc HMS: CuraLinc's SupportLinc Health Management Services guide members with mental health and substance abuse conditions to the most appropriate treatment option at the point of entry. The 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, which went into effect on October 3, 2009, highlights the need for these types of services as plan design options for companies that need to bring their mental health and substance abuse coverage up to a consistent level with their general medical coverage.

eSession Connect: CuraLinc Healthcare's eSession Connect is an "around the clock" online counseling platform that complements SupportLinc's telephonic and face-to-face EAP services by providing members with live chat access to a master’s level behavioral health professionals.

_{1 Business Insurance Magazine (2008)}

"Treat the Person, Not the Condition"

For more information on CuraLinc’s SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP), contact a CuraLinc representative at 800-490-1585 or email info@curalinc.com.