Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

You are the University of Missouri’s most important resource, and your personal and professional well-being is critical to achieving our shared mission.

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides tools, resources and counseling services to support emotional wellness, the ability to successfully handle life’s stresses and to adapt to change and difficult times (building resilience, reducing stress, getting quality sleep, strengthening social connections, coping with loss, and being mindful).

All programs offer experienced consultants at no cost for support, guidance and resources to help you navigate small questions and big problems related to a range of issues, including stress, anxiety and depression; relationship problems; grief and loss and parent and family issues.

Eligibility

The EAP offers free, short-term, confidential counseling sessions for employees (faculty and staff) and their household members. Employees are eligible to receive EAP services as of their first day of work.

EAP coverage for you and your family members will end if you terminate employment or when you or your dependents are no longer eligible under the EAP. You may be able to continue the EAP coverage through COBRA, view the Summary Plan Description for more information.

Optum Live and Work Well

Optum's Live and Work Well program offers services systemwide to all University of Missouri employees (the four universities, MU Health Care and UM System) and their household members.

1. Unlimited telephonic access to master’s-level clinicians (24/7).
   • Supports the in-the-moment needs of employees and their household members.  
   • Receive confidential support without an appointment by calling 844-875-5719.
2. Three (3) free counseling sessions per presenting issue with Optum network providers, offered in-person (in the community at the provider’s office) or virtually.
   • Consider virtual appointments to expand provider specialty/choice.
   • To receive services at no additional cost to you, get an authorization code and share it with your EAP provider:
     • Request an authorization code by calling Optum at 844-875-5719.
     • Find a provider on Optum’s Live and Work Well website (exit UM System site).
     • You can register, sign-in or browse as a guest using the university’s access code: UMISSOURI.
     • When scheduling an appointment with your selected provider, make sure to give them your authorization code, which works like a coupon code.
   • Employees and their covered dependents, who are enrolled in a University of Missouri medical plan, may continue counseling services, with a copay, beyond the three free EAP sessions via behavioral health benefits.
3. An online platform offering self-directed access to tools and resources to support emotional wellness, such as videos, articles and other resources. Access Optum Wellbeing or Optum’s Live and Work Well (exit UM System site) to learn more.

• Optum standard flyer-English (PDF, 859KB)