The
following are answers to questions your
employees may have regarding services offered
by Organizational Health Incorporated. Please
feel free to contact us with any additional
questions you or your staff may have.
QUESTIONS
ABOUT EMPLOYEE & FAMILY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
(EFAP)
QUESTIONS ABOUT DISABILITY MANAGEMENT
QUESTIONS
ABOUT EMPLOYEE & FAMILY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
(EFAP)
Why
should I see an EFAP counsellor? If
you have a problem or concern that needs
short-term assistance, your EFAP program
can help. Examples of problems may include:
-
Stress at home or on the job
-
Family
Problems
-
Marriage/relationships
-
Mediation
-
Alcohol,
drug abuse or gambling
-
Divorce/separation
-
Job
performance concerns
-
Loss
of a loved one
-
Anxiety,
Depression or other psychological problems
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Will
you talk to my employer / supervisor? No.
EFAP services are confidential. There will
be no way to identify that you have accessed
our services. OHI’s reporting to your
employer is generic. The only time that
there may be contact with an employer is
if:
-
Your
appointment is a mandatory referral from
your employer (your employer required
you to see a counsellor);
-
If you give permission for the counsellor
to speak with your employer (ie. if there
were workplace issues you wanted to address)
-
If you posed a serious threat of harm
to someone in the workplace.
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What
is your background, training, professional
accreditation? Our counsellors
have a variety of background and training.
They all have a Master’s level of
education or higher along with a minimum
of 10 years as an EFAP counsellor.
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Can I bring in
my family? Yes. You are welcome
to bring a support person, or if the problem
/ concern involves a family member, they
can attend.
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How many sessions can I
attend? It varies. Sometimes people
come in just once, to talk things over with
a person and help with their decision-making.
Generally there are 3-5 sessions with a
counsellor.
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What if I need more sessions?
If there are a limited number of sessions
needed, our counsellor will seek approval
for an extension. However, if it appears
that there is long-term counselling needed,
your counsellor will help you move to another
care provider who can give you the help
you need.
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What
if I have a different problem in a few months,
can I come back to see you? Yes.
Just call and make an appointment.
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Do
I have to pay for these sessions?
Generally this is a benefit that is covered
through your employer. However, please contact
OHI regarding specific benefit entitlement
for your individual company.
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If I do not like
my counsellor, can I request a new one?
Yes. It is very important to feel comfortable
with your counsellor. When you call in for
another appointment, request that a new
counsellor be assigned.
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Can
any member of my family see a counsellor?
If your family member is a spouse, or a
dependent child, they can access our services.
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Do you have evening appointments?
Yes.
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QUESTIONS
ABOUT DISABILITY MANAGEMENT
What is an OHI case / care
manager and why do they need to be involved
in my claim? OHI case and care
managers are an added benefit of your disability
benefit plan. They partner with you and
your family doctor (and other care providers)
to ensure you are receiving appropriate
treatment in a timely manner and can assist
with arranging medical tests and treatment,
if required. They also are a source of information,
support and education regarding your medical
condition during your illness and recovery.
When you are ready to return to work, they
will assist in the return to work planning,
and follow up with you and your employer
until you are back to full duties.
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How
and when will I receive my STD benefits?
In most cases, your employer will pay your
short-term disability benefits directly
to you via whatever method is currently
in place, ie. direct deposit or cheque.
These payments occur once the OHI Adjudicator
has made a decision on your STD claim eligibility
and a notice is sent to your employer –
generally within 24-48 hours of receiving
the required information to make the decision.
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How does OHI make decisions
regarding my claim? OHI bases decisions
on objective medical information gathered
from your family physician and other care
providers. Other resources/tools consulted
include medical practice guidelines with
duration information and internal clinical
resources with expertise in disability management.
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Is
my medical information kept confidential?
Yes, OHI adjudicators, case and care managers
adhere to a national privacy policy (PIPEDA)
that prevents us from disclosing any confidential
medical information without your written
consent.
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What
if I am unable to return to work during
the short-term disability period?
OHI will assist by either requesting your
employer to send out a long-term disability
application package to you, or OHI does
this for some employers. OHI will also send
a release of information form for you to
sign which will authorize OHI to send all
relevant medical information on the OHI
file to your Long-term disability insurer
to assist them in making a decision regarding
your eligibility to LTD benefits. In some
cases, OHI may remain involved if/when you
transition to LTD benefits – this
decision is determined individually.
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Often
there are questions regarding medical issues
and treatments such as medications. Your
case/care Manager will address these questions
individually with you depending on your
medical diagnosis and prescribed treatment.
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