Offered through the Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plan (MPI), Optum is a benefits program that includes behavioral health and Emotional Wellbeing Solutions program. 

All active MPI Participants have access to the benefits included in the Optum Emotional Wellbeing Solutions program. 

All active MPI Anthem Blue Cross PPO Participants have access to Optum Behavioral Health Services in addition to the Optum EWS program.  MPI Kaiser Permanente, Health Net, and Medicare enrollees receive behavioral health services through their respective providers.  To learn more about the behavioral health benefits offered by each provider, click here.

Optum Emotional and Wellbeing Solutions Program Overview

What is Optum Emotional Wellbeing Solutions?

The Emotional Wellbeing Solutions program is a suite of free services offered to participants to help them overcome challenges, reach goals, and thrive.

1. To explore these benefits, visit liveandworkwell.com and sign in or browse with access code: MPIPHP.  
2. From the Optum landing page, click on “Emotional Wellbeing Solutions.”  
3. Click on “Benefits” at the top of the page.
4. From here, scroll through the list of benefits, resources, and services.

Benefits, resources, and services include (but are not limited to):

• Counseling: Eligible MPI Participants and covered dependents are eligible for 5 Emotional Wellbeing Support sessions with a licensed therapist or psychologist at no cost, annually. These sessions can be by phone, video chat, or in person, depending on the therapist. This can be a great option for short-term counseling.  
  • For Anthem Blue Cross PPO enrollees who seek longer-term therapy, , Optum’s behavioral health program offers therapists with only a $5 co-pay. There is no limit to the number of sessions annually. The $5 co-pay benefit is for in-network providers. 
  • For longer-term needs for Kaiser Permanente and Health Net Participants, additional therapy sessions will go through their respective health plan’s behavioral health providers.
• Financial Assistance: Estate planning, debt reduction, bankruptcy, retirement planning, and more. Eligible participants and their covered dependents are eligible for one telephone consultation with a financial coach (30-60 minutes in length) per issue, per year. Live support is available 24/7.
• Legal Services: Consumer issues, IRS matters, separation and divorce, traffic issues, etc. Eligible participants and their covered dependents are eligible for one free 30-minute consultation (in person or by phone) per issue, per year, plus ongoing representation at a 25% discounted rate.
• Mediation Services: Child custody, contractual disputes, tenant/landlord issues, insurance claims, and more. Eligible participants and covered dependents are eligible for one free 30-minute consultation (in person or by phone) per issue, per year, plus ongoing representation at a 25% discounted rate.

For detailed instructions about how to access therapy and counseling benefits, go to our Emotional Wellness and Mental Health page.

*OPTUM vets all legal providers through Comprehensive Legal Care (CLC), a leading provider of legal and financial programs for Employee Assistance (EA) organizations, membership associations, insurance companies, and national marketing entities throughout the United States.

What are other Emotional Wellbeing Solutions benefits?

From childcare to relocation services, OPTUM’s Emotional Wellbeing Solutions program provides practical information and resources to assist with life and work issues. Benefits include (but are not limited to):  

• Adult/Elder Caregiver Services: Long-term caregiving, Medicare support, transportation, support groups, and more.
• Adult Support Services: Financial planning, retirement planning, housing assistance, and more.
• Child/Parenting Services: Childcare, child development experts, special needs support, and more.
• Education: Financial aid, online learning, adult education, and more.
• Chronic Condition Support: Medical suppliers, nutrition assistance, special housing, and more.
• Convenience Services: Household needs (plumber, handyperson), travel, pets, and more.

*Please note that the options on the Emotional Wellbeing Services benefits page for “Behavioral Health Benefits through Optum” and some sobriety, substance abuse, and drug abuse programs are available only to MPI Anthem Blue Cross PPO Participants. If you are an MPI Kaiser Permanente or Health Net Participant, these services are available through your respective health plan.

What else can I find on Optum’s liveandworkwell.com site?

The website serves as a useful resource, not only to access other OPTUM services, but to educate yourself on various health and wellness subjects. You’ll find more than 5,000 articles, podcasts, webinars, and newsletters, plus databases on childcare, eldercare, schools, colleges, and more. The site also houses tools for budgeting, a retirement planner, will kits, and customizable plans for reducing stress, quitting smoking, and other goals. And the site allows you to find an in-network counselor or therapist and review credentials and certifications.

What services are available for substance abuse?

For MPI Anthem Blue Cross PPO Participants, specialized substance use recovery specialists are available 24/7 at 855-780-5955 and through live chat at liveandworkwell.com. Callers can receive immediate provider referrals, including local, in-network facilities, if necessary.  There are also programs for Sobriety Peer Support and recovery treatments and programs. If you are an MPI Kaiser Permanente, Health Net, or Medicare Participant, these services are available through your respective health plan.

What is TalkSpace?

TalkSpace is a digital alternative to face-to-face therapy. It provides access to more than 4,000 licensed providers across the United States. You can meet with your therapist virtually or send messages and complete homework assignments virtually. Once you sign up, you can begin therapy within hours of selecting a provider. Most sessions are a $5 co-pay; you will be informed up-front if the cost might or will be more. It’s a good idea to contact MPI Participant Services at 855-275-4674 before you begin this process and ask what your deductible is.

For detailed instructions about how to access TalkSpace, go to our Emotional Wellness and Mental Health page.

What if I want to see an out-of-network therapist?

For MPI Anthem Blue Cross PPO Participants, you are eligible to seek Optum behavioral health services from an out-of-network provider. However, there’s no guarantee that you will be reimbursed out-of-network visits. Additionally, most out-of-network providers will ask you to pay up-front, and you will need to request repayment by submitting an OPTUM claim. Due to these reasons, it’s best to search for an in-network mental health provider through Optum. All Talkspace therapists are in network with Optum.

For Kaiser Permanente or Health Net Participants, please seek behavioral health benefits through your respective health plan.