In this article, we’ll explain what EAPs are, how you can use an EAP benefit with Tava Health, the different signup experiences you may encounter, and what happens when your covered sessions are complete.
What are Employee Assistance Programs?
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are benefits that employers or organizations offer to provide short-term support for mental health and other personal challenges.
Unlike traditional health insurance, which may cover ongoing treatment, EAPs often provide a limited number of sessions or services. The number of sessions, eligibility rules, expiration dates, and signup requirements vary depending on the benefit your employer or health plan provides.
Some EAP benefits are sponsored directly by an employer or organization. Others are offered through an insurance plan and may require an authorization code before Tava Health can verify your covered sessions.
How to use your EAP benefits
Your signup steps depend on how your benefit is set up. You may encounter one of the following experiences.
Getting started with an employer-sponsored Tava benefit
If your employer or organization sponsors therapy sessions directly through Tava Health, you can add the benefit during signup:
- Go to care.tavahealth.com and create an account.
- When prompted, enter the name of your employer or sponsoring organization.
- Tava Health will automatically check whether your organization offers sponsored therapy sessions.
- If your benefit is available, follow the prompts to add it to your account.
- Choose a provider and schedule your first session.
Some employer or organization-sponsored benefits provide a set number of sessions per year. As long as you have sponsored sessions remaining, Tava Health will bill your sponsoring organization first, unless you explicitly change your preferred coverage method.
Getting started with an EAP
Many EAP benefits require you to first visit or call your EAP service to open a case and request a referral for mental health support. Once your case is open, you may receive a direct signup link or referral from your EAP or organization. Use this link to create your account or log in. It will automatically connect your account to the correct sponsoring organization for a customized signup experience.
To get started:
- Use the Tava Health link provided by your organization or care coordinator.
- Create your account or log in if you already have one.
- Follow the prompts to complete your profile and intake.
- Review the coverage shown in your account before scheduling.
- Choose a provider and book your first session.
If you were given a specific signup link, be sure to use that link when signing up. If you are unsure which link to use, contact the organization that referred you.
Getting started with an authorization-based EAP benefit
Some insurance-based EAP benefits require an authorization step before Tava Health can verify your covered sessions. If your benefit requires authorization, you may need an authorization code, the number of sessions covered, and an authorization letter or other documentation.
If you’re new to Tava Health:
- Log in to your EAP member portal or call your EAP service to request an authorization code.
- Go to care.tavahealth.com and create an account.
- Enter your insurance information.
- When asked whether you have a prior authorization code, select Yes.
- Enter your authorization code and the number of covered sessions.
- Upload your authorization document, if available.
- Submit your information for verification.
If you already have a Tava Health account:
- Log in to your EAP member portal or call your EAP service to request an authorization code.
- Log in at care.tavahealth.com.
- Navigate to the Billing page.
- Make sure your insurance information is saved.
- If your plan offers EAP sessions, select Add Here on the prompt to add your benefit.
- Enter your authorization code and the number of covered sessions.
- Upload your authorization document, if available.
- Submit your information for verification.
You will be able to schedule a session while Tava Health verifies your information. Your benefit may show a Pending Verification status until the review is complete. Tava Health will contact you if more information is needed.
After signup
Once your benefit is added or verified, you can search for a provider, review availability, and schedule care through Tava Health.
Your coverage details will show the type of benefit you have and, when applicable, the number of covered sessions remaining. Your session count may include both completed sessions and upcoming sessions already booked using your benefit.
For example, if your benefit includes six sessions and you have attended four and already booked two more, your account may show no sessions remaining.
EAP in your Tava Health account
You can review your EAP or covered-session information in your account under Billing.
Depending on your benefit setup, you may see:
- The sponsoring organization or coverage type
- Your number of covered or remaining sessions
- A verification status
- Authorization details or an expiration date
- Other insurance or payment options available to you
If you have both sponsored sessions and insurance on your account, sponsored sessions are generally used first while they remain available.
Billing and payments
Billing and payment policies differ depending on how your EAP benefit is provided.
Credit card information
Some employers or organizations cover late-cancellation and no-shows fees. If you cancel or reschedule within 24-hours of your session, or do not attend, one session may be removed from your remaining session total.
If your employer or organization does not cover late-cancellation and no-show fees, Tava Health may require a credit card on file even when your sessions are covered. A card may be used for applicable copays, late-cancellation or no-show fees.
A temporary $20 authorization hold may be placed to validate your card. The hold is removed immediately.
Adding insurance information
We recommend adding your insurance information to your Tava Health account, even if you currently have sponsored EAP sessions. We will check if your provider is in-network to make it easier to continue care after your covered sessions end.
To add insurance, enter your insurance provider and member ID on the Billing page. Tava Health will check whether your plan is accepted and may ask you to upload an image of your insurance card if coverage cannot be verified automatically.
Continuing care after EAP benefits expire
EAP benefits often have session limits and may have expiration dates. Before your covered sessions end, review your options for continuing care.
Depending on your eligibility, you may be able to:
- Continue with your provider using your health insurance
- Continue with another coverage option available through your employer or health plan
- Continue with self-pay using a credit card, HSA, FSA, or HRA where applicable
- Choose a different Tava Health provider who better matches your needs
Your available options and out-of-pocket costs depend on your coverage. Review the information in your Tava Health account or contact support before booking additional care if you are unsure which option applies.
Frequently asked questions
Is every EAP the same?
No. The number of covered sessions, eligibility rules, authorization requirements, expiration dates, and billing policies can vary by employer or health plan.
Do I always need an authorization code?
No. Some benefits can be added by searching for your employer or sponsoring organization. Other insurance-based benefits require an authorization code and verification before the covered sessions can be confirmed.
Can I add insurance if I also have sponsored EAP sessions?
Yes. If you have sponsored sessions remaining, Tava Health will generally bill that benefit first. We recommend adding your insurance even with sponsored sessions to check if your provider is in-network for continued care.
Can I schedule before my benefit is verified?
For some authorization-based benefits, you may be able to schedule while verification is pending. Tava Health will contact you if the benefit cannot be confirmed or if more information is needed.
What if I cannot find my organization?
Confirm that you entered the organization’s name correctly. If it still does not appear, ask your HR or benefits team whether Tava Health is included in your EAP. You can also contact client-support@tavahealth.com for help.
What if I have questions about my benefit?
Your employer or benefits team can explain the benefit your organization purchased. Tava Health Support can help with signup, account, coverage, and authorization questions. Contact us through the chat bubble in your account or at client-support@tavahealth.com.