ROI of EAP Programs in Healthcare: Improving Caregiver Wellbeing and Reducing Burnout

How a leading health system saved $2.5M by investing in mental health

Healthcare employees regularly face intense emotional and physical demands, from burnout and compassion fatigue to grief and even harassment, as they navigate the daily challenges of caring for others.

That’s why a leading health system with 18,000 employees partnered with CuraLinc to address mental health and wellbeing proactively. Rather than treating mental health support as just another employee benefit, they viewed it as a critical investment in their workforce's resilience, productivity, and ability to deliver exceptional patient care.

Access the full case study to learn how investing in CuraLinc’s EAP protected nearly $2.5 million and created a healthier, more productive workforce.

Download the ROI case study

An ROI model that's backed by research and built for action

CuraLinc's ROI model was developed from over 166,000 real-world cases and validated in a peer-reviewed study. It shows how meaningful mental health support drives return across five key areas:

Healthcare savings from avoided outpatient mental health claims
Clinical recovery for high-risk mental health conditions and alcohol use
Restored work time by addressing absenteeism and presenteeism
Retention of employees at risk of turnover
Organizational value through crisis support, training, and management consultation

Whether you’re trying to make the case for investment, compare vendor performance, or align leadership around mental health strategy, the model gives you both the data and the rationale.

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What healthcare leaders are up against

Hospitals and health systems are navigating a layered mental health crisis fueled by chronic stress and systemic barriers to care.

A national study on healthcare workers published in 2025 found that even when employees recognize they need help, many can’t or don't access it. The most common barrier? Not being able to get time off. Others cited fears about confidentiality, cost, or being seen as weak.

These findings show why “wait until they ask” isn’t enough. Leaders need mental health support systems that are proactive, accessible, and trusted.

Burnout

48.2% of physicians reported experiencing at least one symptom of burnout. Burnout costs the U.S. health care system $4.6 billion a year, largely due to physician turnover and work-hour reductions.

Untreated mental health conditions

25.6% of healthcare workers reported levels of mental distress severe enough to meet diagnostic criteria for a mental disorder, but only 20.3% of those sought mental health care.

Patient outcomes at risk

A 2025 meta-analysis found a moderate positive correlation between healthcare worker burnout and negative patient outcomes, particularly in areas like emotional exhaustion and depersonalization.

A mental health and wellbeing program built for the demands of healthcare

Most mental health programs weren’t built for the pace, pressure, or complexity of healthcare. Your people are exhausted, overextended, and often the last to ask for help. They worry about stigma. They don’t have time to figure out a clunky platform or wait three weeks for an appointment.

CuraLinc’s model is different. We deliver personalized, human-centered mental health care designed to meet the unique needs of hospitals and health systems

Access

Fast, flexible access to care—including immediate support from licensed clinicians and multiple ways to engage in therapy or coaching: in-person, virtual, text-based, or group. On average, participants connect to care in just 2.1 days.

Navigation

CuraLinc’s platform and Care Advocates work in tandem to guide every care journey as needs evolve. And because our matches are personal and precise, 97% of participants stay with their first provider.

Outcomes

In a peer-reviewed study of healthcare employees, CuraLinc’s EAP helped 82% recover from depression risk, 89% resolve productivity issues, and, on average, restore 40 hours of productive work time per month.

Flexibility

CuraLinc supports hybrid, co-sourced, or full-replacement EAP delivery models, flexing to fill clinical gaps, expand access, and enhance your internal resources, all with minimal disruption.

Integration

CuraLinc integrates seamlessly with your internal ecosystem, including behavioral health teams, chaplain services, psychiatry departments, health plan provider networks, and affiliated facilities to serve as a strategic extension of your care infrastructure.

Innovation

We’re building smarter ways to deliver care with AI-informed triage, rapid access psychiatry, and enahnced substance use disorder programming on the roadmap.