Your Mental Health Benefits
Life will always throw curves at us—and in ministry, sometimes it's the problems of others that cause us sadness or stress. We all have different ways of dealing with it. Prayer works for many of us. Some meditate or share with friends; others hit the gym.
But sometimes we need more than that. It might be a clinical issue like depression, work or relationship issues, substance abuse, or just a sense of being overwhelmed or out of control. The most important thing is to reach out for help, and that's why The Texas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church (TAC) provides you with mental health benefits—a completely confidential way to help keep your life balanced and on track. TAC provides three different programs to assist clergy in dealing with their mental/emotional health challenges: a 6-visit Employee Assistance Program (EAP) benefit with no co-pay, a 50-visit Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) benefit with a $25 co-pay, and unlimited mental health visits under both PPO plans (see chart below for co-pays/co-insurance). All Group Health Plan participants are free to choose any or all benefits to address their needs. There is no requirement to use one category of mental health benefits before another (i.e., EAP, EPO, or PPO). All treatment is confidential.
1. Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
2. Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO)
3. Mental Health Benefits under the Medical Plans (PPO)
Who is eligible?
All active TAC clergy under appointment (including part-time clergy and extension ministers) and their dependents are eligible for the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Active clergy do not have to be enrolled in a TAC Group Health Plan in order to be eligible for EAP benefits. Retirees are not eligible for EAP benefits.
Mental health benefits under the EPO and PPO are available to all participants enrolled in either the TAC standard PPO or high-deductible PPO plans.
Employee Assistance Program
TAC has contracted with Aetna Resources for Living (ARL) to provide completely confidential resources to support you and your family during personally challenging times. Each family member can receive up to six face-to-face counseling visits per issue each year at no charge. Here are just a few of the issues the EAP can help with:
- Marriage/family/relationships
- Legal or financial concerns
- Work-related issues
- Stress management
- Anxiety or depression
- Alcohol or substance abuse
Plus, work-life services can help with child and elder care resources, adoption support and financial aid for education.
Schedule an appointment or get more information at 1-800-492-4357, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Or visit www.mylifevalues.com. Username: Methodists; password: 8004924357.
Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO)
TAC has contracted with Krist Samaritan Center and Epiphany Counseling and Consultation in the Houston area, Orion Mosko, PhD in Sugar Land, David Parmer, MA in The Woodlands and Wilkins Counseling Center in Center, Texas, under an EPO arrangement for counseling services. Krist Samaritan Center has 21 locations in and around Houston (those outside of Houston will be accommodated on a case by case basis). EPO counseling services provide help with life's difficulties: family issues, trauma issues, teen issues, anxiety treatment, alcohol/drug abuse, divorce recovery, depression, spiritual issues and more.
Each covered individual enrolled in either the TAC standard PPO or high-deductible PPO plan is eligible for up to 50 counseling sessions per calendar year. There is a $25 co-pay per visit.
Contact information for providers are listed below:
- Epiphany Counseling and Consultation, 4306 Yoakum, Suite 565, Houston, TX 77006
Phone: 832-455-7554; or
- Krist Samaritan Center, 17555 El Camino Real, Houston, TX 77058 (and satellite locations);
Phone: 281-480-7554; or
-
Orion Mosko, PhD, 77 Sugar Creek Center Blvd., Suite 375, Sugar Land, TX 77478
Phone: 832-835-1779; or
- David Parmer, MA, LPC, 26113 Oak Ridge Rd., Suite C, The Woodlands, TX 77380
Phone: 281-907-1314; or
- Wilkins Counseling Center, 325 Tenaha St., Center, TX 75935;
Phone: 936-598-6413
Mental Health Benefits under the Medical Plans (PPO)
Both the TAC standard PPO or high-deductible PPO plans provide mental health benefits to enrolled participants. These benefits are governed by the rules of each plan (pre-certification, deductibles, etc.). Below are the highlights.
|
|
Standard PPO |
High-deductible PPO plan |
|
Annual deductible |
Individual $1,000 |
Individual $1,850 |
|
Mental health (inpatient care) |
In-network Plan pays 80% after deductible |
|
|
Mental health (outpatient care) |
In-network Plan pays 80% after deductible |
|
|
Mental health (office visit) |
In-network $30 co-pay Primary Care or $40 co-pay Specialist; |
In-network Plan pays 80% after deductible |
Aetna Signature Administrators is your PPO network. Provider information can be found at www.aetna.com/asa. You can also contact Boon Chapman’s customer service number at 1-800-252-9653 for help in locating a provider or for questions regarding the PPO network.
Want to know more?
Additional EAP Topics
Benefits Disclaimer About Your Benefits