Human Resources

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health.  Bowdoin College offers benefits to help people maintain their mental health or help those with mental health or addiction issues.  Here are three examples:

• The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) helps employees deal with personal problems such as stress, relationship issues, major life events, depression, or even financial or legal concerns.  Learn more about the EAP.

• Trying to maintain a healthy work/life balance can be hard these days.  Learn more about how Bowdoin can help.

• The Bowdoin College PPO Health Plan includes many mental health benefits.  You can get details on the health benefits summary or learn more below.

Am I eligible?

All benefits eligible employees and their immediate family members can use the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and the Work/Life Balance resources.

All benefits eligible employees who have elected coverage in the Bowdoin College PPO Health Plan are eligible for the mental health benefits.

How much does it cost?

There is no cost to you or your immediate family members to use the EAP program.  The EAP allows for up to 4 free visits per person per issue per calendar year.

The costs for mental health benefits are included in your Health Plan premiums.  Some services require a co-pay and/or are subject to the calendar year deductible and coinsurance. 

What types of mental health benefits are included in the Health Plan?

The Bowdoin College PPO Health Plan offers Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services that include:

• Inpatient – General hospital or mental health hospital stays.  These services are covered at 90% for In-Network providers and at 70% for Out-of-Network providers after your deductible is met. 
• Outpatient Facility – This includes substance abuse centers or mental health clinics.  These services are covered at 90% for In-Network providers and at 70% at Out-of-Network providers after your deductible is met.
• Outpatient Office Visits – Visits to an In-Network psychotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or other counselor are covered at 100% after a $15 co-pay.  Out-of-Network provider services are covered at 70% after your deductible is met.

As with physical health, there are In-Network and Out-of-Network behavioral health providers.  You will want to check the list of In-Network providers at Anthem when making choices about mental health services.   Remember:  Out-of-Network benefits are subject to the maximum allowances under the plan which can mean significantly higher out-of-pocket costs to you.

 How do I use the mental health benefits?

For the most part, there are no special rules or restrictions for using the mental health benefits. However, there are a few important notes listed below.

• If you or a dependent needs a scheduled in-patient admission, you must receive preauthorization from Anthem Behavioral Health by calling 1-800-755-0851.  If there is an emergency admission, you or someone you designate must call within 48 hours.

For more detailed information about the Bowdoin College PPO Health Plan please see the Benefit Summary and the Summary Plan Description.