Employee Assistance Plan

The Employee Assistance Plan (EAP), provided through Cigna, is a free, confidential service that can help with life’s daily challenges or bigger concerns. The EAP is included with the Pastor’s Participation and Minister’s Choice benefits packages and the PPO, EPO, and HDHP medical options offered through the Board of Pensions.

You can review and make changes to your benefits in Benefits Connect through Friday, Nov. 8. The benefits options on your Annual Enrollment reflect the 2025 Benefits Plan. Learn more about the 2025 plan enhancements here. You can also access the 2025 Benefits Plan for complete plan details.

You, your eligible family members, and anyone living in your household can access the EAP 24/7 by calling 866-640-2772 or logging on to the Cigna website (one-time registration required). All EAP services are confidential, and there’s no cost to you or anyone in your household.

How to access the EAP and steps to register online

EAP services

EAP advocates are available 24/7 to provide referrals and guide you to the right solution. Contact them if you need help with just about any issue.

Emotional health and family support

Get help to manage stress, address depression and anxiety, cope with illness, and adjust to life challenges. You can also get help with marriage and relationship issues.

  • Phone consultations: You have unlimited access to licensed clinicians by phone for routine or urgent concerns. To access phone consultations, call the EAP and ask to speak with a clinician, or log on to mycigna.com and select Coverage, then Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to schedule a call.
  • Counseling sessions: In addition to phone consultations, you can receive up to six free private counseling sessions per issue per year with a provider in the Cigna EAP network. Many providers offer virtual sessions on your phone, tablet, or home computer as an alternative to in-person visits.* Both in-person and virtual sessions count toward the six free sessions.
    • Virtual options, including Talkspace: You have the option to use a therapist in the Talkspace network for your six free sessions. Talkspace is another choice for virtual care that allows you to receive support day and night from the convenience of your device. Depending on where you live, additional options for virtual care may be available. You can access Talkspace and any additional options from the Cigna website.

Support after your free sessions

If you need more support after your free sessions and you have medical coverage through the Board of Pensions, Quantum Health can help you transition to using your behavioral health benefits under your medical coverage for ongoing support. Applicable copays, deductibles, and/or coinsurance will apply once you transition to using your medical coverage. Additionally, if you continue with the counselor you saw for your free sessions and they do not also participate in the Medical Plan's network, you may incur out-of-network costs or the sessions may not be covered. Any ongoing therapy must be with a Blue Cross Blue Shield (BlueCard PPO) network counselor to be covered at the network rate. If you continue sessions with a counselor who is not in the Medical Plan’s network and you are enrolled in the EPO or HDHP, you will have no coverage beyond the six free sessions.

EAP benefits include wholeness support for pastors’ unique needs

The pastoral support network is a dedicated resource provided through the Employee Assistance Plan to help pastors manage the high level of stress they may experience given the unique nature of their work. To access the pastoral support network, call the EAP at 866-640-2772, choose option 1, and then press 2 to connect with a specialized counselor.

Financial and legal assistance

Speak with financial consultants about budgeting, debt, identity theft, retirement, and more. Consult with a network attorney at no cost.

  • Financial consultation: Have a 30-minute telephone consultation with a qualified specialist on issues such as budgeting, debt counseling, tax planning, clergy tax issues, retirement planning, and college funding.
  • Legal consultation: Get a 30-minute telephone or face-to-face consultation with a participating attorney plus a 25 percent discount on select fees for services such as adoption, family law, and will preparation (consultations related to employment matters are not available).
  • Identity theft assistance: Have a 60-minute expert consultation by phone to learn what to do to protect yourself, or for help if you are victimized.
  • Tax assistance: Receive a 25 percent discount on regular tax preparation services through the EAP. The discount covers one federal tax return, Schedule A (itemized deductions), Schedule B (dividends/interest), and one state income tax return. If additional forms are required, such as for a rental property or a small business, the charge is $65 per form. You must call Cigna at 866-640-2772, to access this discount.

Home life referrals

Get support and request referrals to help you find a healthy work/life balance.

  • Parenting and childcare: Get referrals for adoption services, prenatal classes, day care, before- and after-school programs, summer camps, and more.
  • Education: Get help with college searches or locating kindergarten programs and public schools if you are new to an area.
  • Elder care: Get an assessment of an older loved one’s needs and referrals for housing options, such as assisted living or nursing home care.
  • Pet care: Get referrals for veterinary services, emergency care, boarding, pet sitters, obedience training, and groomers.

Job and career support

Discuss career growth and get tips for managing workplace stress, change, and other issues.

  • Higher education: Get help with college searches if you are thinking of continuing your education (or if your children are planning to attend college).
  • Online tools and resources: Access seminars, e-learning, and articles on topics such as effective communications, goal setting, collaboration, and more. To locate these and other resources, including videos, podcasts, checklists, and more, log on to the Cigna website and click on the Work/Life Resources link on the EAP coverage page under Job and Career Support.

Note: Those enrolled in Triple-S or GeoBlue also have EAP benefits under their plans, but coverage details may differ. Consult your plan's provisions for details.