A "Serious Health Condition", as defined by The Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, is an illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition that involves one of the following:
Hospital Care
Inpatient care (i.e., an overnight stay) in a hospital, hospice or residential medical care facility, including any period of incapacity1 or subsequent treatment in connection with or consequent to such inpatient care.
Absence Plus Treatment
A period of incapacity1 of more than three consecutive calendar days (including any subsequent treatment or period of incapacity1 relating to the same condition), that also involves:
Pregnancy
Any period of incapacity due to pregnancy, or for prenatal care.
Chronic Conditions Requiring Treatment
A chronic condition which:
Permanent/Long-term Conditions Requiring Supervision
A period of incapacity1 which is permanent or long-term due to a condition for which treatment may not be effective. The employee or family member must be under the continuing supervision of, but need not be receiving active treatment by a health care provider. Examples include Alzheimer’s, a severe stroke, or the terminal stages of a disease.
Multiple Treatments (Non-Chronic conditions)
Any period of absence to receive multiple treatments (including any period of recovery therefrom) by a health care provider or by a provider of health care services under orders of, or on referral by, a health care provider, either for restorative surgery after an accident or other injury, or for a condition that would likely result in a period of incapacity1 of more than three consecutive days in the absence of medical intervention or treatment, such as cancer (chemotherapy, radiation, etc.), severe arthritis (physical therapy), and kidney disease (dialysis).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
1"Incapacity," for purposes of FMLA, is defined to mean inability to work, attend school or perform other regular daily activities due to the serious health condition, treatment therefore, or recovery therefrom.
2"Treatment" includes examination to determine if a serious health condition exists and evaluations of the condition. Treatment does not include routine physical examinations, eye examinations, or dental examinations.
3A "regimen of continuing treatment" includes, for example, a course of prescription medication (e.g., an antibiotic) or therapy requiring special equipment to resolve or alleviate the health condition. A regimen of treatment does not include the taking of over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, antihistamines, or salves; or bed-rest, drinking fluids, exercise, and other similar activities that can be initiated without a visit to a health care provider.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For more information about your FMLA rights and responsibilities, please contact the Employment Service Center at (313)577-2010. Thank you.