COVID-19 is compounding mental-health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Substance abuse is also increasing with COVID-19, and those in recovery are at a greater risk of relapsing.
These trends are especially concerning for our industry since construction workers, and millwrights in particular, are statistically at higher risk for mental health issues than workers in virtually any other industry.
In addition to the resources listed
here
, your health plan likely offers support for mental-health and substance-abuse treatment as well. If you know what benefits your health plan provides, you can reach out to professional resources quickly if you or a family member needs assistance. You often receive mental-health and substance-abuse-treatment services at low or no cost when you access them through a health plan. This can reduce financial stress and help you avoid taking on more debt. (Debt also affects mental health. Learn more about the cycle of debt and mental health
–
and possible solutions
–
by reading
this article
.)
Many health plans cover mental-health and substance-abuse disorders under regular physician services and hospital benefits. Some plans spell out their coverage for mental health and substance abuse, and some even provide expanded care or additional resources.
Several health plans cover members of our council, and your local determines which plan is available to you. Below are excerpts of mental-health and substance-abuse-treatment coverage from various plans. To learn the details of your coverage, read your plan documents, check with your plan’s insurance-network partner, or contact your plan administrator (contact information also below).
AFL-AGC Health & Welfare Plan (Local 1192)
In addition to providing coverage under regular hospital benefits and physician benefits, this plan provides Expanded Psychiatric Services (EPS) for mental-health disorders and substance abuse. The EPS program provides members with a broad range of services for treatment of mental health disorders without any deductibles or copayments when care is coordinated by an EPS provider. Providers who participate in the EPS network are available throughout Alabama and in a few locations in states bordering Alabama.
To find an EPS provider, call your plan administrator or search using the online provider finder at www.AlabamaBlue.com. First, go to “Find a Doctor,” then select a healthcare provider type and enter a search location. Next, select “Expanded Psychiatric Services” from the “Networks and Plans” menu at the top of the page and click “Update Search.”
The EPS program pays 100% of the allowed amount for:
- Inpatient facility;
- Physician;
- Therapy expenses;
- Outpatient visits;
- Individual, group, and family therapy or counseling;
- Psychological and laboratory testing; and
- Services by professional staff members such as psychologists and social workers in mental health and chemical dependency.
Florida UBC Health Fund
(Locals 2411 and 1000)
This plan's network partner, United Healthcare, offers access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The EAP and Behavioral Health Solutions through United Healthcare provide confidential help with:
- Depression, stress and anxiety;
- Inpatient behavioral health care;
- Outpatient behavioral health care;
- Substance use and recovery;
- Financial and legal resources;
- Child and elder care support;
- And more.
About Employee Assistance Programs:
An employee assistance program (EAP) is a work-based intervention program designed to assist employees in resolving personal problems that may be adversely affecting the employee's performance. Programs are delivered at no cost to employees by stand-alone EAP vendors or providers who are part of comprehensive health insurance plans. Services are often delivered via phone, video-based counseling, online chatting, e-mail interactions or face-to-face. Learn more about EAPs
here
.
Gulf Coast Carpenters and Millwrights Health Trust:
-Louisiana Millwright Tier
(Local 729)
Here is an excerpt from this plan:
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment
- Inpatient and Outpatient treatment of Mental Health Conditions or substance abuse disorders is covered the same as any other Illness or Injury.
- Inpatient treatment of Mental Health Conditions or substance abuse are covered subject to the Plan’s precertification requirements, admission review and continued stay review requirements.
-Texas Millwright Tier (Locals 2232 and 1421)
Here is an excerpt from this plan:
Mental Health Benefits
IN-NETWORK
-
The Fund will pay 80% of the Covered Expenses incurred for the treatment of nervous and mental disorders up to $46,500, and 100% of eligible charges thereafter.
OUT-OF-NETWORK - The Fund will pay 50% of the Covered Expenses incurred for the treatment of nervous and mental disorders up to $46,500, and 80% of eligible charges thereafter.
Substance Abuse Benefits
IN-NETWORK - The Fund will pay 80% of the Covered Expenses incurred for the treatment of alcoholism and drug addiction up to $46,500, and 100% of eligible charges thereafter.
OUT-OF-NETWORK - The Fund will pay 50% of the Covered Expenses incurred for the treatment of alcoholism and drug addiction up to $46,500, and 80% of eligible charges thereafter.
Here's how to contact your local's health and welfare fund:
Local 1421:
Texas Carpenters & Millwrights Fringe Benefits
Phone: 1-800-422-6207
Local 729:
Louisiana Carpenters Regional Council Health Benefit Trust Fund
Phone: 225-927-6068 ext. 101
Phone: 225-927-6068 ext. 102 (To Check on Hours)
Toll Free: 1-888-922-3002
Local 1192:
AFL-AGC Health & Welfare Fund
Phone: 251-438-4765
Local 1554:
Mid-South Carpenters Regional Council Health & Welfare
Phone: 615-859-0131
Toll Free: 1-800-831-4914
Local 1263, Local 1000, Local 2411, and Local 216:
Southern Benefit Administrators, Inc.
Phone: 1-800-831-4914
