Using Your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at Alma

Learn what an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is, why it might help you access care, and how EAP visits work at Alma.

What Is an EAP?

Employee assistance programs (EAPs) are a wellness benefit separate from your primary health insurance plan. EAPs offer short-term mental health support for employees, covering everything from anxiety and depression to everyday stressors like caregiving and work-life balance.

Which EAPs Does Alma Support?

Alma is in-network with four EAPs:

Optum Live & Work Well EAP
Optum Emotional Wellbeing Solutions Premium EAP
Cigna Confide Enhanced EAP
Aetna Resources for Living EAP

If you have Optum benefits and are not sure which Optum EAP you have, log in to Optum's benefit website at www.liveandworkwell.com to find your EAP details.

If you have Cigna benefits and are not sure whether you have Confide Enhanced EAP (in-network with Alma) or another Cigna EAP (out-of-network with Alma), call the number on the back of your insurance card to confirm your EAP information.

Why Do EAPs Matter?

EAPs give you mental health coverage outside your formal insurance plan, at no cost to you. You can use these benefits for short-term care, such as relationship counseling or work-life balance support, without paying a copay, coinsurance, or deductible.

If you do not have health insurance, or you are paying down a high deductible before your full health plan benefits start, an EAP can offer a faster, more affordable way to get care.

If you already see an Alma provider, either out-of-pocket or through insurance, you may be able to apply your Optum or Cigna EAP benefit to 3–10 sessions, depending on your plan. Some services are not covered under EAPs, so discuss this option with your provider to confirm it is a good fit.

How Much Does an EAP Visit Cost?

EAP visits are entirely free to you. Your employer covers all costs, so you pay no copay, coinsurance, or deductible.

How Do I Verify My EAP Eligibility?

Unlike traditional insurance, where Alma verifies your benefits directly with your health plan, EAPs require you to verify your own eligibility.

To apply your EAP benefits to a session, you need:

A client EAP authorization code: a unique code you use to apply your EAP benefits to a specific provider visit.
Eligible sessions: the total number of visits your EAP program authorizes, typically 3–10 visits.
Benefit effective dates: the active dates of your EAP eligibility. For example, you might have 5 EAP visits to use within a benefit year running July through June.

Alma cannot gather your EAP enrollment information directly or on your behalf. Complete your EAP enrollment with your health plan before starting EAP sessions with an Alma provider.

Note: Alma does not run eligibility checks for EAP benefits. If you request a new eligibility check through the Alma Portal, it does not apply to your EAP coverage. Contact your EAP program directly to confirm your eligibility, authorization code, and number of covered sessions before starting sessions.

What Services Does My EAP Cover?

EAP Program	Services Covered
Optum Live & Work Well	30-minute psychotherapy, 45-minute psychotherapy, family/relationship therapy (with or without you present), group therapy
Optum Emotional Wellbeing Solutions Premium	30-minute psychotherapy, 45-minute psychotherapy, family/relationship therapy (with or without you present), group therapy
Cigna Confide Enhanced EAP	45-minute psychotherapy
Aetna Resources for Living EAP	Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation, 30-, 45-, and 60-minute psychotherapy, family psychotherapy (with or without you present), group therapy

EAPs do not cover longer therapy sessions or medication management. Review this table before starting sessions to confirm your program covers the service you want.

How Does Alma Handle My EAP Data?

Optum Emotional Wellbeing Solutions Premium EAP reviews high-level summaries of program participant data to help ensure quality of care. Learn more: How Alma Protects Your Privacy Across Insurance and EAP Programs.