Mental Health Benefits
For Purdue Incentive, Purdue Copay, and Purdue Choice Fund medical plans
Administered by CIGNA
Purdue University is committed to helping faculty, staff, and their covered dependents achieve and maintain good mental and physical health. To empower employees to enhance their mental health and sense of well-being, Purdue provides special mental health benefits on the Purdue Incentive, Purdue Copay, and Purdue Choice Fund medical plans.
What types of situations and conditions are covered
Mental health benefits under Purdue's medical plans may be used for the treatment of clinical mental illness and for counseling and care related to stressful situations you are experiencing. For example, marriage or child-rearing problems, grieving over the loss of a loved one, and work-related stress are all eligible for mental health benefits under the Purdue medical plans.
Who may provide coverage
To be eligible for coverage, mental health benefits must be provided by any of the following state-licensed, board-certified providers:
- Psychiatrists
- Clinical psychologists
- Members of the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW)
- Licensed clinical social workers (LCSW)
- Licensed mental health counselors (LMHC)
- Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT)
- Licensed Professional Counselor
- Certified Addiction Counselor (for substance abuse)
The provider designations listed above are used in the state of Indiana. To be eligible for coverage, providers outside Indiana must qualify as a behavioral health practitioner under the following definition:
Behavioral Health Practitioner: A psychiatrist, psychologist, or a mental health or substance abuse counselor or social worker who has a master's degree, and who is legally licensed and/or legally authorized to practice or provide service, care, or treatment of behavioral health disorders under the laws of the state or jurisdiction where the services are rendered; and acts within the scope of his or her license; and is not the patient or the parent, spouse, sibling (by birth or marriage), or child of the patient.
Summary of benefits
Purdue Choice Fund plan (see page 5 of the summary)
Purdue Incentive plan (see page 5 of the summary)
Purdue Copay plan (see page 5 of the summary)
West Lafayette WorkLife Programs Employee Assistance: Expert guidance
WorkLife Programs Employee Assistance has been helping West Lafayette campus employees and their families for more than two decades, and the program is as valuable today as it has ever been. Employee Assistance counselors are well-acquainted with local mental health care professionals and can help guide you to the one who is most appropriate for your situation and your personality.
If you visit WorkLife Programs Employee Assistance, a counselor will thoroughly assess your situation, perhaps identifying issues that you may not even be aware of yourself. Employee Assistance counselors will then help you find the right care provider and think through important questions you will want to ask when you go for your first appointment.
Although you are not required to work with an Employee Assistance counselor before seeking mental health benefits under your Purdue medical plan, experience shows that patients have better results when a qualified professional helps guide them through the process.
WorkLife Programs Employee Assistance counselors are also valuable resources for dealing with workplace issues, such as problems related to your supervisor or your co-workers.
Employee Assistance Program through CIGNA's Choose Well, Live Well Personal Health Team
If you are not in the West Lafayette campus area or do not want to use the West Lafayette onsite employee assistance, you may acquire employee assistance program services through CIGNA's Choose Well, Live Well Personal Health Team. To reach the team, call (800) 767-7141. Listen to the menu, and, when prompted, say “2” to get to the employee assistance program. The team is also available by e-mail at PurdueLiveWell@CIGNA.com.
The Choose Well, Live Well Personal Health Team can also help you cope with stress and work through particularly difficult times. In an emergency, the team will immediately connect you with a crisis intervention specialist. In non-emergency situations, the team can help you find a counselor (individual, marriage, etc.).