Mental health resources

Employee Assistance Plan benefits

Phone consultations

Through the confidential Employee Assistance Plan (EAP), eligible individuals have 24/7 access to licensed clinicians by phone for urgent mental health concerns. The counselor will listen and help guide you to a solution. In crisis situations, the counselor may refer you to appropriate resources if needed, including calling emergency services in acute situations.

Fast track appointments

If you need help locating an EAP network provider that has availability within the next five business days, call the EAP to speak with an EAP advocate (or use the live chat feature on Cigna's website) and tell them you'd like to fast track an appointment with a network counselor. You will be given names and contact information for Cigna EAP network providers who have available appointments within the next five business days. You are then responsible for contacting the provider and making the appointment; EAP advocates cannot make appointments on your behalf.

Counseling through the EAP

In addition to unlimited phone consultations, the EAP provides up to six sessions per issue per year with a dedicated counselor in Cigna's EAP network, for assessments, short-term counseling, and referrals. Sessions may be in-person or virtual, and there is no cost to you.

Who's eligible

You and anyone who lives with you have access to EAP services at no cost if you are enrolled in

the PPO, EPO, or HDHP medical options*; or
the Pastor's Participation or Minister's Choice benefits packages.

How to access the EAP

Phone consultations: Call the EAP at 866-640-2772 and ask to speak with a clinician or use the live chat feature of the Cigna website to schedule a call.
Face-to-face sessions: log on to Cigna's website and click Search Now to find EAP network providers near you as well as options for virtual therapy, such as Talkspace. To see the counselor at no cost (whether in-person or virtual), you will need to give them an EAP code, available from Cigna's website or by calling the EAP.

If you need support beyond the six free EAP sessions and you have medical coverage through the Board of Pensions, the EAP can help you transition to using your behavioral health benefits under the Medical Plan. However, if you continue with the counselor you saw for your free sessions and they are not in the Medical Plan's network and you are enrolled in the EPO or HDHP, you will have no coverage after the six free sessions.

*Those enrolled in Triple-S or GeoBlue also have EAP, behavioral health, and substance use disorder benefits under their plans, but coverage details may differ. Consult your plan's provisions for details.

Medical Plan benefits

Outpatient counseling

The Medical Plan covers care for depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues that includes therapy, treatment, and counseling on an outpatient basis. If you have medical coverage through the Board,* you do not need to begin counseling sessions through the EAP for the Medical Plan to cover eligible mental health services.

In-network. If you're enrolled in the PPO, EPO, or HDHP and the therapist or counselor participates in the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BlueCard PPO) national network, the applicable network copays, deductibles, and/or coinsurance will apply.
Out-of-network. If you are enrolled in the PPO, you may incur out-of-network costs (50 percent of the provider’s billed charges) if the therapist or counselor does not participate in the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BlueCard PPO) national network. If you are enrolled in the EPO or HDHP, outpatient counseling services from out-of-network providers are not covered.

Other outpatient services and inpatient care

In addition to outpatient visits, the Medical Plan covers the following types of treatment for behavioral health and substance use, including detoxification and treatment for symptoms of withdrawal. Note: These types of care must be precertified through Quantum Health.

inpatient care, as well as partial hospitalization
intensive outpatient care
residential treatment center care

All applicable copays, deductibles, and/or coinsurance will apply. The EPO and HDHP cover network care only.

How to access Medical Plan benefits

To find participating BlueCard PPO therapists or facilities, log on to the MyQHealth website or mobile app, click My Plan, then CARE FINDER, and enter your ZIP code to search for providers by name or specialty (Counselor, Psychiatry, Psychologist, etc.). You can also contact Quantum Health and a Care Coordinator will help you locate network providers near you.

The Humana Group Medicare Advantage PPO plan

The Humana Group Medicare Advantage PPO plan includes benefits for mental health services provided on an inpatient basis, as well as outpatient mental health services provided by a state-licensed psychiatrist or doctor, clinical psychologist, clinical social worker, clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or other Medicare-qualified mental healthcare professional as allowed under applicable state laws. Plan copayments apply. For details, contact the Humana Customer Care team at 855-273-0021 (TTY: 711).

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) is a national network of more than 200 crisis centers that helps people overcome crisis situations. These centers are supported by local and state sources as well as the Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts, substance use crisis, mental health crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress can call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.