Cigna Employee Assistance Program offers counseling, legal, financial and work-life support, per Cigna.
Cigna describes its Employee Assistance Program as confidential support for mental health, behavioral conditions and substance use, plus legal, financial and work-life services. Cigna states it is separate from health plan benefits, and some evaluations cost extra.
What the program is and what members do.
What the program is
Cigna describes the EAP as services and support for employees’ mental health and well-being, behavioral conditions and substance use disorders. The page says it is available when you partner with Cigna Healthcare.
How members use it
Cigna lists 24/7/365 live assistance for customer service, crisis triage and referrals, face-to-face and telehealth counseling with a nationwide EAP counselor network, access through myCigna.com and the myCigna app, and live and on-demand webcasts. It also lists legal, financial and ID theft consultations, and referrals for childcare, eldercare, pet care and similar needs.
What it does not cover
Cigna says the services are separate from health plan benefits and do not reimburse financial losses. Legal consultations related to employment matters are excluded. Members pay the entire discounted charge for discounted legal or financial services, and behavioral fitness-for-duty evaluations and substance abuse professional evaluations under federal DOT and DOE rules are at additional cost.
Eligibility, funding and plan design.
Who can use it
Cigna says employees and anyone in their household get access to confidential EAP support.
How it is funded or sold
The page does not give a price. It says EAP services are in addition to, not instead of, health plan benefits. Program availability may vary by plan type and location and is not available where prohibited by law. We would confirm in writing whether the EAP is bundled with the medical plan or priced separately.
Where it fits in plan design
It is a separate layer from the medical plan and complements behavioral health benefits in it. It is worth communicating at open enrollment because it is often underused. Check how it ties to your medical plan’s behavioral coverage.
What to settle before relying on it.
Is the EAP priced with or apart from medical?
We would ask Cigna whether the EAP is included in the group’s medical premium or fees or charged separately, and for the schedule of any extra-cost evaluations.
How many sessions are covered?
The page does not state a session limit. We would ask for the number of counseling sessions per issue and what happens after they are used.
How do we report on use?
We would ask what utilization reporting Cigna provides to the employer and at what group size.
Common questions about this program.
Is the EAP part of my health plan?
No. Cigna says EAP services are separate from health plan benefits and in addition to them.
Does it include legal help?
Cigna lists legal consultations, but excludes those related to employment matters, and members pay the discounted charge for any discounted legal or financial services.
Do family members have access?
Cigna says employees and anyone in their household do.
Where these details come from.
This page summarizes what Cigna publishes. Programs change, so confirm current details with the carrier before relying on them.
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