The Perceived Value of the "Free" Versus the Fee-Based Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Abstract

There has been a clear trend in recent years for health insurance companies, disability carriers, group retirement plans and payroll management organizations to bundle employee assistance program services into their core products and offer the EAP as "free." Under this arrangement, the insurance plan buys an inexpensive EAP from a vendor partner or provides and EAP within an affiliated division, then embeds the EAP in the plan to create product distinction and a competitive advantage...