FMLA questions

Can you use FMLA a day at a time if you have a recurring medical problem? Can you only use FMLA for one specific problem at a time or can your doctor fill out one form that covers all your medical issues. What are some of the illnesses that are covered under FMLA? What kind of documentation do you have to provide your employer - do you have to give them your medical records? Thanks for the help.

FMLA is meant for when u need a long time out of work for a personal or family medical issue  as a rule

as far as i know, it cannot be used a day at a time.  you will have to fill out forms to use this type of leave.

you may have to provide some type of documentation as to why you need the leave.

good luck, jacki

You can use FMLA a day at a time if you need to.  I have FMLA and work for the post office.  I can call out once a week if I want to and its covered under FMLA.  Your employer should give you the paperwork to take to your doctor to fill out to qualify for FMLA. 

You're in luck....You just ran into an benefits specialist who happens to have a bad case of insomnia tonight...lol.

Some of the information you were given is incorrect. You can absolutely use FMLA one day at a time. It's called intermittent leave as opposed to consecutive. 

Only one health condition per form is allowed because there are specific questions relating to the condition that need to be answered by your doctor such as the date the condition began and the probable duration of the condition as well as dates of treatment, symptoms and a diagnosis.

The law states that FMLA would apply to any "serious health condition"  which means any illness, injury, impairment, physical or mental condition that causes your inability to work, attend school, or perform any other regular daily activities as well continuing treatment by a health care provider for a chronic condition. Some examples would be having surgery and then the period of time needed for recovery, a broken leg, pregnancy, someone who has asthma is covered for intermittent leave and even migraine headaches are a covered illness. If you would like to know if something specific is covered, you can PM me if you would rather it not be posted here and I will let you know. In all the years that I've been doing this though, it's very rare to come across a condition that is not covered for either consecutive or intermittent leave.

There are specific forms that your employer should have. If they don't have the forms, then you can obtain them from The Dept of Labor...Once you have the forms, your doctor will complete his section, there is a section for you to complete and then you return them to your employer..Medical records are NOT given to your employer. Your employer can however require a 2nd or even 3rd opinion by another doctor at their expense and they can also request periodic re-certification.

edited to correct spelling

I think you covered this well lol. pretty much said everything I was going to and then some!

Thanks! Glad I have your stamp of approval..lol...I tend to get anal about insurance, disability, FMLA, well just about any other benefit type questions. I guess because I worked in the industry for so long and I know how difficult it can be for some folks to make heads or tails of it all. To say it can all be confusing is putting it mildy.

If you have a serious medical condition that is ongoing but not continuous, , you would apply for Intermittent FMLA. You would be required to obtain the same medical certification that you would need for continuous leave. Some of the conditions that would possibly be covered under FMLA for Intermittent use would be: Diabetes, migraines, treatment for cancer, etc. Talk to your HR department. Because of HIPPA (privacy laws) you do not have disclose the medical condition or release any record- the Doctor must certify that your condition meets the criteria of Serious health condition. Just make sure once approved that if you call off undr FMLA, that you specify that when calling in, and only use it if it is for the specific condition. All the best.

Thank you all for the good advice!

 There is something called Intermittent FMLA. I use it, as I have some specific problems related to my diabetes. On the forms, there should be a check box for this , and have your Dr. fill them out indicating the need for you to use this time to address the ongoing need as it arises. Most employers will not tell you about this, but it is the law.

Good luck.
Elissa

I called and talked to FMLA, they said you can take up to 12 weeks a year.... It can be a day @ a time, and also can be for a family member's illness.  As soon as my 6 weeks is up for this surgery, I plan on filling out 6 weeks for intermittent care of my father who is very ill/ which can be renewed yearly as needed.  It's unpaid, and you may have to pay for your Medical Insurance if you're off an extended length of time.