We saw this article, "School District Breaks the Rising Health Costs Trend" and thought it was an excellent example of how an employer reduced healthcare costs through integrating their various vendors.
It reports on how the Manatee County School District in Florida kept its per member per month healthcare costs flat over the past three years. Related to EAP, the article reported:
"Additionally, according to 2009 to 2010 claims data, the district showed an increased utilization of antidepressant drugs aligned with stress and depression. Rather than just medicating or putting a Band-Aid on the issue, the district's wellness team enhanced its Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to offer employee support and an ability to seek counseling to talk in person about issues or call a toll-free number to get professional referrals.
The EAP, which is voluntary and confidential for employees, offers assistance for various emotional, financial, and familial issues. This support and care helps employees maintain their productivity while working through challenges. The EAP along with wellness and disease management programs are available at no charge to employees. In a year-over-year comparison of 2009 versus 2010, the result of the EAP impact on the cost of mental health office visits included: 22 percent reduction in total claims, 26 percent reduction in medical claims, and 12 percent reduction in pharmacy."
We Can Help
Contact us to learn more about our full-service Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and how it can enhance the well being of your employees.
