Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?

The EAP is a confidential counseling, assessment and referral program designed to help you manage work and life problems. Everyone has personal concerns. Most of the time, we find solutions on our own or with our natural supports like friends and family. But sometimes we need professionals to help us. Just as health insurance is designed to address your physical well being, your EAP program is designed to address your emotional and mental well being, as well as to help you to manage work/life problems and achieve a healthy work/life balance. Itís a comprehensive and confidential program in your benefit package that is fully paid by your employer.

2. Why should I start an EAP?

Saving one valuable employee can mean cost savings. After all, recruiting, replacing, retraining and re-establishing a new employee is no small cost item.

The silent killers of a company are absenteeism, tardiness and errors. Often only 5% of the work force is responsible for there cost killers. A high percentage of medical procedures, doctor visits, hospitalizations are stress are related.

EAP's are positive solution to negative situations:, Drug and alcohol abuse, employee conflicts and family workers.

EAPs can address disciplinary problems and supervisor headaches by providing a proactive alternative to constant conflict on the job. EAPs can also help those who are unable to concentrate on the job due to stress, job stress, depression, personal issues or financial issues. Without concentration, mistakes, poor service and accidents increase.

EAPs help employees and their families. EAPs help businesses save thousands of dollars and save valuable employees. EAPs help address problems at an early stage and even prevent more severe problems, incidents or accidents and employee/employer financial loss. And finally EAPs actually save lives.

3. Is your service confidential?

Yes, absolutely. Our programs are designed by professionals who are master-level professionals certified by the Employee Assistance Professionals of American as Certified Employee Assistance Professionals. Several safeguards are implemented to ensure privacy, confidentiality and close adherence to HIPAA requirements.

4. How much do your services cost?

The cost for our program is based on several variables. We'd be more than happy to confer with to you to determine an answer to this question - please call 1-866-903-6000 to speak with a marketing service representative.

5. How do I know if my employees are using EAP services?

While our services are totally confidential on an individual basis, we can provide a custom designed report of utilization. These reports do not include names or any identifying information. For example, our reports could tell you how many employees used our services in a given time frame and which types of services were used. We would be happy to send you a sample copy of a typical quarterly utilization report.

6. How will my employees know about your services?

First, we encourage providing orientation sessions for all employees.

Second, our associates will come to your site and inform your management team and all employees about how the EAP works.

Third, we provide supervisory training to teach managers and supervisors how to use the EAP as a valuable and effective management tool.

Fourth, we provide introductory brochures, handouts and posters that employers can distribute to their employees.

In addition, we have topical brochures and payroll stuffers that we can provide on request; we can also supply sample introductory letters that can be issued by executive staff or HR, or articles for your company newsletter.

We also publish a quarterly newsletter reminding all employees and their family members about the EAP. We encourage employers to speak with us to plan the communication tools that will best fit their employees and work culture.

7. I haven't heard of CONCERNED associates. Are you a new company?

We were established in February 1994. We represent major employers and several thousand employee members and their families. We serve primarily mid-size and small companies. My company is small - what size and type of companies do you work with?

Our current clients range from a 30-employee start-up company to large employer companies with several hundreds of employees. We work with virtually every type of industry, including both public and private companies; profit and not-for profit organizations; union and non-union companies.

8. Who can use the EAP?

EAP services are available to both you and to any members of your immediate household family members. Please call us if you have any questions about who in your family is eligible for services.

9. How do I access EAP services?

There are several convenient ways to access our services:

By phone: call 1-866-903-6000
during standard business hours.

Emergencies or crises:
If you need immediate assistance, our toll-free hotline
is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Dial 1-866-903-6000.
In extreme emergencies always call 911.

10. Will my employer know if I use your services?

At CONCERNED associates, your EAP is totally confidential and your employer wonít even know that you are using our services. None of your information including your name - will be shared with anyone without your written permission. We supply non-identifying demographic information to your employer. We also provide number of employees and number of services utilized.

(In accordance with applicable state laws, exceptions must be made for certain reports of child abuse, elder abuse or significant threats to your safety or the safety of others.) If you have any questions about the exceptions to confidentiality, please ask to speak with our staff.

11. What is the cost for using the EAP?

There is no cost to you for using our professional services. The program has been prepaid by your employer as a benefit to you and to your eligible family household members. Our counselors will explain the range of services that our program provides and answer any questions you may have.

Some life problems may require the help of outside professionals and we might refer you to other service providers such as attorneys or mental health specialists. External service providers are not covered by this program and might entail fees.

12. How do I know if my problem is covered by your services?

Call us! Our professional counselors will help you with any problems that you may be experiencing. If it's a problem that isn't covered by our services, we can point you in the right direction.

13. Can I make an appointment to meet with a counselor?

Many of the questions we receive can be answered conveniently and quickly on our website or through telephonic counseling. In some cases, however, it just makes sense to schedule a face-to-face meeting.

We suggest you discuss this with us when you call. You may consult your EAP Provider Network and make an appointment directly. Your employer has a provider list available for you. This list provides names and phone numbers for your use. If you have questions about any particular counselor, give us a ring.

There is no need to request authorization. We offer direct access to avoid numerous call backs.