FLMA For Rehab
A Guide to Using FMLA
for Rehab
When someone needs to go to rehab, one of their biggest concerns is what to do about their job. They fear losing it and will often try to white-knuckle their way into getting sober because they feel they have no other options. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) gives people safe options to step away from work temporarily and get the concentrated help they need for drug and alcohol addiction.
Contact Lake Avenue Recovery today to learn more.
FMLA for Rehab
A Guide to Using FMLA
for Rehab
When someone needs to go to rehab, one of their biggest concerns is what to do about their job. They fear losing it and will often try to white-knuckle their way into getting sober because they feel they have no other options. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) gives people safe options to step away from work temporarily and get the concentrated help they need for drug and alcohol addiction.
Contact Lake Avenue Recovery today to learn more.
Lake Avenue Recovery understands how important it is for people who have a substance use disorder to take time to get supportive treatment and still have a job waiting for them when they’ve completed it. We help people use FMLA for rehab so they can hit the reset button on their lives and go back to earning a living.
If you or a loved one need treatment for an addiction or mental health disorder, Lake Avenue Recovery can help. Visit our admissions page or call us today at (508) 794-4400 to get started.
What is The Family and Medical Leave Act?
The Family and Medical Leave Act was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1993. This important act allows eligible employees to take unpaid leave from their jobs when they need time to attend to medical emergencies and family situations. Employees can take up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave during one year, and their job or an equivalent one must be available for them upon their return. During the person’s absence, they will still have access to their group health insurance without interruption in their coverage.
A person taking advantage of FMLA can use it to receive medical treatment, including going to drug and alcohol rehab. It can also cover time away needed to take care of a new baby, other children, spouses, and parents. FMLA can also be used to spend time off related to military reasons in relation to the employee’s child, spouse, or parent.
How Does FMLA Work?
It is used by the individual when they need time off to seek medical treatment. In the case of addiction, the person can file for FMLA to attend a residential treatment center or outpatient program that treats substance use disorders. FMLA cannot be used to take time off due to having an active addiction.
Can I Use FMLA For Rehab?
FMLA covers the need to take time off to attend a rehab program to treat an addiction to alcohol or drugs. Similar to medical crises, substance use disorders are classified as needing professional treatment that can take several weeks. FMLA also covers taking time off to take care of a covered family member who is undergoing addiction treatment.
You are not alone. You deserve to get help.
Lake Avenue Recovery is an industry leader in addiction treatment in Massachusetts. Our team of top medical experts specialize in dual diagnosis treatment and are committed to ensuring that each patient is treated as an individual. Call us today, we’re available 24/7.
How to Approach Your Employer When Seeking Treatment
Plan ahead as much as possible so you can decide how to broach the subject and offer as much information as possible. Take the following steps to discuss using FMLA for rehab:
- Ask to speak alone with your boss, manager, or HR representative.
- Tell them you need to take FMLA, the reason for it, and when you need your break to begin.
- Provide supportive documentation, such as a letter from a healthcare provider or a treatment program that indicates you need help.
- If your employer is unsure about how FMLA works, tell them their responsibilities and why you qualify for coverage.
Providing Proper Documentation for FMLA Leave
An employer may ask for documentation that their employee needs to take FMLA leave. The individual can provide a statement from their physician or other clinician treating them that indicates they need help. They can also submit the name of the facility they plan to attend. The employee may also have to fill out paperwork for their company’s records.
Maintaining Job Security When Going to Rehab
Using FMLA for rehab guarantees the person’s job or an equivalent one will be waiting for them when they return. To help foster a good relationship with their employer, it can be helpful to check in with them to let them know the person is in treatment and make sure they are following all applicable guidelines established by their company.
Employer Obligations Under FMLA
When an eligible employee takes FMLA for rehab, the employer must provide information about the process, including reminding the employee of their rights and providing them with any documents they need to fill out. The employer must keep the person’s job or an equivalent one open for them when they return. As well, the employer cannot punish or otherwise take action against the person because they went to rehab.
What to Expect When Returning to Work After Rehab
The individual will have their same or a very similar job waiting for them, as well as group health insurance coverage that continued while they were in treatment. The person should expect a transition time as they get used to working again, and any changes that have taken place at their company. They should also be patient with themselves as they navigate working again as a sober person.
FMLA & Confidentiality in the Workplace
When a person takes FMLA for rehab, they typically want to keep this private. The employer must keep the employee’s medical information confidential and not discuss it with other employees.
Begin Rehab Treatment Using FMLA at Lake Avenue Recovery
Do you want to know if you qualify for using FMLA for rehab? Our admissions counselors can discuss your situation and help you determine if FMLA is right for you.
Lake Avenue Recovery offers comprehensive outpatient treatment for people who struggle with an addiction to drugs or alcohol. We provide multiple types of therapy modalities that help people understand why they use substances and learn to control their urges.
Contact us today to find out which one of our outpatient programs is right for you. We can also provide a free insurance verification to help you know your options.
Worcester, MA
Our Worcester, MA location provides evidence-based treatment modalities, our luxury facility strives to create the most peaceful atmosphere to help our patients recover in the best way.
Lake Avenue Recovery understands how important it is for people who have a substance use disorder to take time to get supportive treatment and still have a job waiting for them when they’ve completed it. We help people use FMLA for rehab so they can hit the reset button on their lives and go back to earning a living.
If you or a loved one need treatment for an addiction or mental health disorder, Lake Avenue Recovery can help. Visit our admissions page or call us today at (508) 794-4400 to get started.
What is The Family and Medical Leave Act?
The Family and Medical Leave Act was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1993. This important act allows eligible employees to take unpaid leave from their jobs when they need time to attend to medical emergencies and family situations. Employees can take up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave during one year, and their job or an equivalent one must be available for them upon their return. During the person’s absence, they will still have access to their group health insurance without interruption in their coverage.
A person taking advantage of FMLA can use it to receive medical treatment, including going to drug and alcohol rehab. It can also cover time away needed to take care of a new baby, other children, spouses, and parents. FMLA can also be used to spend time off related to military reasons in relation to the employee’s child, spouse, or parent.
How Does FMLA Work?
It is used by the individual when they need time off to seek medical treatment. In the case of addiction, the person can file for FMLA to attend a residential treatment center or outpatient program that treats substance use disorders. FMLA cannot be used to take time off due to having an active addiction.
Can I Use FMLA For Rehab?
FMLA covers the need to take time off to attend a rehab program to treat an addiction to alcohol or drugs. Similar to medical crises, substance use disorders are classified as needing professional treatment that can take several weeks. FMLA also covers taking time off to take care of a covered family member who is undergoing addiction treatment.
You are not alone. You deserve to get help.
Lake Avenue Recovery is an industry leader in addiction treatment in Massachusetts. Our team of top medical experts specialize in dual diagnosis treatment and are committed to ensuring that each patient is treated as an individual. Call us today, we’re available 24/7.
How to Approach Your Employer When Seeking Treatment
Plan ahead as much as possible so you can decide how to broach the subject and offer as much information as possible. Take the following steps to discuss using FMLA for rehab:
- Ask to speak alone with your boss, manager, or HR representative.
- Tell them you need to take FMLA, the reason for it, and when you need your break to begin.
- Provide supportive documentation, such as a letter from a healthcare provider or a treatment program that indicates you need help.
- If your employer is unsure about how FMLA works, tell them their responsibilities and why you qualify for coverage.
Providing Proper Documentation for FMLA Leave
An employer may ask for documentation that their employee needs to take FMLA leave. The individual can provide a statement from their physician or other clinician treating them that indicates they need help. They can also submit the name of the facility they plan to attend. The employee may also have to fill out paperwork for their company’s records.
Maintaining Job Security When Going to Rehab
Using FMLA for rehab guarantees the person’s job or an equivalent one will be waiting for them when they return. To help foster a good relationship with their employer, it can be helpful to check in with them to let them know the person is in treatment and make sure they are following all applicable guidelines established by their company.
Employer Obligations Under FMLA
When an eligible employee takes FMLA for rehab, the employer must provide information about the process, including reminding the employee of their rights and providing them with any documents they need to fill out. The employer must keep the person’s job or an equivalent one open for them when they return. As well, the employer cannot punish or otherwise take action against the person because they went to rehab.
What to Expect When Returning to Work After Rehab
The individual will have their same or a very similar job waiting for them, as well as group health insurance coverage that continued while they were in treatment. The person should expect a transition time as they get used to working again, and any changes that have taken place at their company. They should also be patient with themselves as they navigate working again as a sober person.
FMLA & Confidentiality in the Workplace
When a person takes FMLA for rehab, they typically want to keep this private. The employer must keep the employee’s medical information confidential and not discuss it with other employees.
Begin Rehab Treatment Using FMLA at Lake Avenue Recovery
Do you want to know if you qualify for using FMLA for rehab? Our admissions counselors can discuss your situation and help you determine if FMLA is right for you.
Lake Avenue Recovery offers comprehensive outpatient treatment for people who struggle with an addiction to drugs or alcohol. We provide multiple types of therapy modalities that help people understand why they use substances and learn to control their urges.
Contact us today to find out which one of our outpatient programs is right for you. We can also provide a free insurance verification to help you know your options.
Worcester, MA
Our Worcester, MA location provides evidence-based treatment modalities, our luxury facility strives to create the most peaceful atmosphere to help our patients recover in the best way.
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