Frequently Asked Questions
Sutter EAP
EAP Services
- How do I get a referral to a licensed therapist?
- Are my family members covered under this program?
- Does this service cost me anything? Any copays?
- Do I or a family member need prior authorization to use these services?
- Will my employer be notified that I am seeking services?
- When you say “confidential,” what exactly does that mean?
- Do I have to fill out a claims form or other forms?
- How many times can I see a therapist?
- What if I need more sessions than my plan allows?
- How do you determine which therapist to refer me to?
- What if I don’t like the therapist you refer me to?
- Are there drug or alcohol rehab programs available?
- How do you select the providers available through Sutter EAP?
- Do you refer people to psychiatrists?
Legal Services
- Can I get legal advice through Sutter EAP?
- What kind of legal services are available?
- How do you determine which attorney or paralegal to refer me to?
Work/Life Programs
Please call the EAP office to determine if your employer is enrolled in this plan- How do you select the providers available through Sutter EAP?
- What if I have a need not covered on the list of services?
EAP Services
How do I get a referral to a therapist?
Simply call us (916) 614-2888 or toll free (800) 477-2258. If you call Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., your call will be answered by one of our professionally trained staff members. After hours, your call will be answered by a service with licensed intake counselors who will obtain the necessary information from you to access your benefit. We will respond to these calls the next business day. If you complete the online form, one of our trained staff members will contact you.
When you speak with one of our staff members, all you have to do is identify yourself and your employer so that we can ensure we provide correct information about the benefits available to you – your employer will not be notified of your call. Our staff will listen to you and ask questions designed to help us determine which services and/or providers to refer you to. We’ll also ask about personal preferences, such as location, times available, if you prefer a male or female therapist and any other concerns. Once we locate a licensed provider who best meets your needs, we’ll contact you with the referral information. At your convenience, you can contact the provider and make arrangements to meet.
Are my family members covered under this program?
See your company’s plan to find out if family members are included
Does this service cost me anything? Any copays?
No, there is no cost to you for services covered under your plan. There is no copayment amount due when you see a therapist you’ve been referred to by us. If you decide to continue receiving services beyond your authorized number of sessions,you may want to discuss fees with your provider and ask if they carry your health insurance plan.
No, prior authorization is not required. Calling us or completing the online form is all you need to do to access Sutter EAP services.
Will my employer be notified that I am seeking therapy?
No, your employer will not be notified. This is a completely confidential service provided as a benefit to you by your employer.
When you say “confidential,” what exactly does that mean?
Your call is between you and our staff only. No one else—including your employer—will be notified of your call.
Do I have to fill out a claims form or other forms?
No. There are no forms to fill out. When you begin seeing the provider we referred you to, the therapist will let us know so that we can ensure the number of in-person and telephone sessions remains within your Sutter EAP covered benefits. To find out what services are available to you under your employer's plan, please call Sutter EAP at (916) 614-2888 or toll free at (800) 477-2258 or contact your human resources department.
How many times can I see a therapist?
The number of in-person visits varies by plan. To find out what services are available to you under your employer's plan, please call Sutter EAP at (916) 614-2888 or toll free at (800) 477-2258 or contact your human resources department.
What if I need more sessions than my plan allows?
Our intake counselors will do their best to locate a provider that carries your health insurance plan to cover continued services.
How do you determine which therapist to refer me to?
Our staff is professionally trained to assess your needs and compare them with the list of providers available through our program. Since this is what they do every day, they are very familiar with the providers and can help match you with the one who is the best fit for the types of services or areas of life issues you need, as well as practical issues such as location and times available.
What if I don’t like the therapist you refer me to?
It sometimes happens that there is a personality conflict or something about a provider you simply don't like. If that happens, call us and explain your concerns. With a list of more than 800 providers, we can refer you to another provider who best meets your needs.
Are there drug or alcohol rehab programs available?
Sutter EAP can provide referrals and resources to available programs in your area.
How do you select the providers available through Sutter EAP?
Provider applications are screened by an EAP panel that includes a licensed therapist. All provider applicants’ licenses, insurance, references and experience are verified.
Do you refer people to psychiatrists?
No. Our provider panel consists of licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and psychologists. Your therapist may be able to assist you in locating a psychiatrist.
Legal Services
Can I get legal advice through Sutter EAP?
Yes, if your plan includes it. Please call the EAP office to determine if your employer is enrolled in this plan.
What kind of legal services are available?
If your plan includes Legal Services, EAP provides a free phone consultation with a qualified licensed attorney, and if you retain the attorney, a 25% discount off that attorney’s regular rate.
Services in the following areas of law are available:
- Family Law – divorce, custody, temporary restraining order
- Personal Injury/Property Damage
- Criminal – juvenile, DUI, assault & battery, traffic tickets
- Financial – bankruptcy, collection, credit
- Contracts – real estate, foreclosures, auto, construction
- Landlord/Tenant
- Estate Planning – probate, wills, trust
- Immigration
How do you determine which attorney or paralegal to refer me to?
An EAP intake counselor will ask you to briefly describe your area of need. EAP will contact the attorney’s office and provide them with information on the problem. The name of one or more attorneys specializing on the issue will be given to you along with needed contact information.
Work/Life Programs
Please call the EAP office to determine if your employer is enrolled in this plan
How do you select the providers available through Sutter EAP?
Providers are selected by a thorough application process and are researched and reviewed.
What if I have a need not covered on the list of services?
We will do our best to refer you to available services in your community.