HMSA's Automated Statistical Utilization Reports are unique to the industry. Through careful, confidential data entry into our own customized program, we are able to produce timely, full color comprehensive reports that clearly show each client company all of the areas where our service is working for them. For many employers who don't have the expertise or available staff to measure and/or track things like lost work days (absenteeism, tardiness), productivity, comp claims and the inappropriate use of healthcare benefits, these reports are an excellent tool for measuring the effectiveness of the EAP.
Currently however, the EAP industry does not have a uniform way of reporting client utilization. Measuring employee utilization has become a competitive weapon within the EAP industry and quite frankly, it's being creatively used to over inflate employee participation. You should always know what your EAP is doing for you and your employees (the number of clinical intakes, presenting problems, resolution rates, closing reasons, treatments utilized, supervisory training, employee orientations and workshops, etc.). The problem arises when every phone call and every supervisor attending a training session and every employee attending an orientation is counted as a hit and subsequently reported within the utilization rate. Doing so in our opinion, is inappropriate.
At HMSA, our utilization rate is based solely on the number of clinical intakes. Those employees requesting intervention via short-term counseling and those employees needing more acute intervention via a referral for longer term treatment, are the only elements included within our utilization rate. The aggregated statistical report prepared for our clients does include all of the other administrative and operational activities, but they are kept separate and not included within the utilization rate we represent to our clients.
Bottom line - - to be able to cost-justify your EAP program, you'll need to fully understand how your utilization rate is calculated. So ask, then you decide what factors you think constitute legitimate utilization.
With HMSA, you're already in-the-know!