In general, behavioral health providers can be grouped as follows:

• Psychiatrists (MD, DO) - These are physicians who specialize in behavioral health issues. They usually do initial evaluations and may prescribe medications for behavioral health purposes. Psychiatrist services may or may not include counseling. Psychiatrists provide managed care services only (not EAP).
• Nurse Practitioners (NP) - A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse (RN) who has completed additional courses and specialized training. NPs can work with or without the supervision of a physician, depending on state regulations. NPs who specialize in behavioral health may provide the same services as psychiatrists.
• Physician Assistants (PA) - A physician assistant is a mid-level practitioner licensed to practice medicine with a physician's (psychiatrist's) supervision. PAs can treat patients and, in most states, prescribe medicine.
• Psychologists (PhD) - Psychologists are doctorate-level providers. They provide counseling and also psychological testing. They may also provide special types of therapy for specific diagnoses, such as cognitive behavior therapy. They may provide individual, group or family therapy. In most states, they cannot prescribe medications.
• Master's level providers - There are a variety of labels for these clinicians:
• LPC   - Licensed Professional Counselor
• LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• LMFT - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

All of these providers have master's degrees and are licensed to provide counseling or counseling services. They may more commonly be labeled as counselors or therapists. They may provide individual, group or family therapy. They may have additional credentials or specializations for unique needs. They cannot prescribe medications.

If it is a life-threatening emergency, please call 911. Otherwise, call our toll-free number, 1-800-888-1477, and a trained staff person will be there to help.

To get the most out of your visit, you should:

• Understand your health plan's behavioral health benefits. They may be different from your medical benefits.
• Arrive 15 minutes early to your first appointment to complete paperwork.
• Arrive on time for your appointments.
• Make a list of any problems or questions you have and ask your most important questions at the beginning of your visit.
• Give the provider information you consider important, even if it was not asked for. Do not wait until the end of the session to bring up significant issues.
• Be prepared to give a background, including the following:
• Your social history
• Family medical/behavioral health history
• Personal medical history
• Past treatments
• All medications used (supplements, over-the-counter and prescription)
• Drug or alcohol use
• Remember, the more information you give your provider, the better he or she can diagnose a problem.
• Ask about any possible side effects of any prescribed medications.
• Take any medications prescribed according to your provider's instructions.
• Follow up on any tests or referrals your provider orders.
• Be honest. If there's anything you don't understand, ask questions.

You should expect your provider to:

• Listen to your concerns.
• Take a complete history of your perceived problem, past treatment, physical ailments, behavioral health and any substance use concerns.
• Develop a treatment plan with your goals identified, and explain it clearly to you.
• Explain the significance of each possible diagnosis.
• Review medications you are currently taking, as well as allergies you may have.
• Document your treatment in a treatment record.
• Discuss preventive health activities in conjunction with therapy.

Yes. You can use the provider search on this site or call us at 1-800-888-1477 to locate providers who speak languages other than English.

Si quiere información en espãnol, por favor llame CONTACT al numero 1-800-888-1477.

CONTACT's network consists of psychiatrists, physician assistants (under physician supervision), psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychologists and master's-level clinicians who are licensed at the independent practice level in the state where they practice. All practitioners are credentialed according to rigorous standards set by the state where they practice and the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

Yes. State and federal law as well as CONTACT's professional standards protect you. With some exceptions, as defined by law, treatment records are confidential.

EAP stands for Employee Assistance Program. EAP is an employer-paid benefit for employees and dependent family members. Your EAP provides a full range of short-term counseling and referral services for individual, family and marital concerns; stress and job-related issues; child and domestic abuse; and alcohol or chemical dependency assessment. Individuals with more serious issues are often referred to their managed care or other insurance benefit for behavioral health services.

Sometimes employees and/or their family members face personal problems that they cannot handle. Concerns become overwhelming and affect personal happiness, family relations, performance at work, and even health. When this occurs, professional help is needed in resolving the problem. Without proper attention, these concerns usually become worse, and the consequences are often unpleasant and expensive.

CONTACT's full range of short-term counseling services provides the resources to address a variety of problems that impact daily life. Some of the specific problems routinely addressed through EAP include:

• Crisis situations
• Work-related difficulties
• Personal issues
• Family conflicts
• Anger management
• Child or domestic abuse
• Low self-esteem
• Stress management
• Grief and bereavement
• Financial planning consultation
• Legal consultation
• Career development
• Alcohol or substance abuse concerns

CONTACT is your EAP provider. We offer professional counseling, referral and educational services to members like you throughout the United States.

As a full-service EAP, CONTACT provides:

• Face-to-face assessment and counseling
• 24-hour crisis hotline
• Toll-free telephone access
• Unlimited employee orientations
• Unlimited EAP training for supervisors
• Crisis intervention
• Management referral process
• EAP promotional materials
• Financial planning assistance
• Web site screenings
• Quarterly and annual reports

EAP counselors are state-licensed psychologists, master's-level and doctoral-level therapists. They may be members of a CONTACT office team or they may be a part of our extensive provider network. For counseling therapy or specialized treatment, referrals are made to community professionals and other treatment sources.

Employees, spouses and dependent family members may use the service. You do not need prior authorization to seek EAP services, with the exception of SRP members. Simply locate an EAP provider and make an appointment. Be sure to tell the provider that you are a CONTACT EAP member.

If you need help in locating a CONTACT EAP provider, you can use our provider search or call 1-800-222-8335.

Attention SRP members:  You must notify your internal EAP or CONTACT at 800-222-8335 to obtain a referral authorization prior to accessing any EAP services.

Attention Bashas' members: You must call CONTACT at 800-222-8335 to obtain a referral authorization prior to accessing any EAP services.

If you are unable to keep an appointment, please call 24 hours in advance to reschedule or cancel. Appointments not cancelled 24 hours in advance and appointments not kept will count as EAP sessions used.

If you are unable to keep an appointment, please call 24 hours in advance to reschedule or cancel. Appointments not cancelled 24 hours in advance and appointments not kept will count as EAP sessions used.

Your employer has contracted with CONTACT for EAP services. There is no charge to you for assessment, short-term therapy or telephone crisis intervention. If you need further assistance, such as additional counseling beyond the number of sessions paid for by your employer or specialized treatment, your CONTACT counselor will try to minimize the cost by referring you to professionals and treatment sources covered by your insurance or affordable community services.

CONTACT provides the strictest confidentiality possible, as set forth in state and federal statutes. Neither your employer nor your co-workers will have knowledge of your discussion with a counselor. If the need is indicated, your counselor may encourage other members of your family to participate in the program. Release of information regarding your use of the EAP can only be given with your written consent, except where required by law (i.e., suspected child abuse or posing a danger to self or others).

When a job performance problem occurs, your supervisor may refer you to CONTACT. Use of the EAP is voluntary; however, if you refuse the offer of help and your job performance continues to decline, regular company corrective procedures may apply.

If you need more information about your EAP benefit, talk to your organization's Human Resources/Benefits Representative or call 1-800-222-8335.

If you need help in locating a CONTACT EAP provider, you can also use our provider search.

Managed care is a way of delivering health care benefits, including behavioral health, so that you receive quality, cost-effective services. You may typically think of managed care as your “insurance.” CONTACT provides managed behavioral health care services to members throughout the United States through our CONTACT offices and our extensive network of providers. Typically, these services include:

• Crisis services
• Individual longer-term counseling
• Group therapy
• Inpatient hospitalization
• Chemical dependency treatment
• Intensive outpatient treatment
• Partial hospitalization treatment
• Psychiatric assessment for medication
• Intensive case management
• Referral to recovery resources

The exact services available to you will depend on your own benefit plan. To understand what specific benefits you have, check your written plan document or benefits booklet or talk to your Human Resources/benefits representative. Or, you may call 1-800-888-1477 and one of our team members will be happy to assist you.

CONTACT administers hundreds of plans to members throughout the United States. To understand what specific benefits you have, check your written plan document or benefits booklet or talk to your Human Resources/benefits representative. Or, you may call 1-800-888-1477 and one of our team members will be happy to assist you.

First, before you make an appointment, be aware of your specific behavioral health benefits and any requirements for prior authorization. (See your benefits booklet, ask your Human Resources/benefits representative, or call us at 1-800-888-1477 if you need assistance.)

If your plan does not require prior authorization for services, you may select a provider from CONTACT's extensive provider network and make an appointment directly with that provider. For assistance in locating a network provider, click here or call us at 1-800-888-1477.

A few benefit plans do require pre-authorization. If this is the case for your plan, you or your provider must call our Utilization Management Department at 1-800-888-1477.

First of all, you are not financially responsible in this case. The letter you received is a courtesy letter we send out so that you know what is going on with your account. We allow 60 days for billing; if a claim is not submitted within that time period, we will deny payment. You cannot be charged. Your provider may appeal the denial of payment and provide supporting documents of timely billing. This requirement can vary by state but CONTACT's standard requirement is 60 days.

An EOB is a statement sent to you, the member, and your provider once a claim has been processed on your behalf. The EOB includes information about the services provided, eligible expenses and amount paid. If the claim was denied, it will also contain information about why this occurred.

Some benefit plans do allow you to use an out-of-network provider while others do not. See your benefits booklet, ask your Human Resources/benefits representative, or call us at 1-800-888-1477 if you need assistance in making this determination.

If your plan does allow for use of an out-of-network provider, be sure to ask the provider about the following:

• Will he/she submit a bill for you or will you need to pay out-of-pocket and then seek reimbursement?
• If your plan does not cover the full amount of billed charges, will he/she bill you for the difference?
• Will you be responsible for any additional charges that may not be covered by your plan?

If your plan does not allow for use of an out-of-network provider, we'll be happy to help you in locating someone who is part of the network. Click here or call us at 1-800-888-1477.