Does FMLA Cover Substance Abuse Treatment in Bright Futures?

The best way for persons who are suffering from substance use disorder to get better is to seek professional help. Licensed clinicians can help you achieve long-term sobriety and live a fulfilling and happy life. However, we realize that asking for help is not easy. Besides the many personal struggles that persons who are dealing with addiction need to go through, they also need to think about how they will organize leave from work. Thankfully, there are numerous systems in place that can help you take care of your work absence. Today, we are going to be discussing does FMLA cover substance abuse treatment in rehabs in Florida, and how the law can protect your privacy.

What is the FMLA?

FMLA stands for the Family and Medical Leave Act, and it is a federal law that was passed into effect in 1993. The mail goal of the law was to find a way to bridge the requirements of the modern workplace with the needs of individuals and their families. It is geared towards providing job security and employer-provided healthcare for individuals and families in need. If you were wondering is does FMLA cover substance abuse treatment in Bright Futures, you should know that under the law you are guaranteed 12 weeks of unpaid leave. You can use this time to check yourself to a treatment center and begin your recovery.

However, there are a few considerations you should keep in mind. If you want to use FMLA leave, you’ll want to know is rehab covered under FMLA, as well as all the details regarding your rights. You can go to the Department of Labor website and read up on the resources they have available there. The FMLA will allow you to take time off from work for mental health treatments if a licensed physician diagnoses you. Additionally, you must also attend treatment by a health care provider or by a provider of health care services on referral by a health care provider. Therefore, in order to answer the question of whether the FMLA covers substance abuse treatment in Bright Futures Treatment Center, we first need to know if you are eligible.

Who is covered under the FMLA?

Only those who work under covered employers are able to take time off work. So if you want to find out is alcohol rehab covered under FMLA, you first need to check if with your employer. Covered employers usually fall into one of the following categories:

• Public agencies. This includes local, state and, federal agencies.
• Public or private elementary and secondary schools.
• Private sector employers. However, your employer needs to have 50 or more employees.

When it comes to employees, they will also need to meet certain criteria:

• You have a serious health condition. You don’t have to worry is drug rehab covered under FMLA because substance abuse is recognized as a mental disorder. This means that persons with substance use disorder are classified as having a serious health condition.
• Work for a covered employer.
• Have worked for that employer for 12 months. You will need to have worked at least a minimum of 1,250 hours in the 12-month period. An important thing to note is that the 12-month period doesn’t need to be consecutive.
• You work where the company has at least 50 employees in a 75-mile radius.

There could be additional eligibility factors, so your best course of action is to check with the Department of Labor is rehab covered under FMLA for you. Notable exceptions include flight crew employees due to the special hours of service.

Is rehab covered under FMLA?

The Bright Futures Treatment Center in South Florida offers several different programs of treatment for individuals who are suffering from substance use disorder. Addiction treatment is necessary for the long-term recovery of patients who are struggling with addiction. You can use FMLA if you are unable to work due to a serious health condition. A licensed physician will diagnose your substance use disorder as a serious mental health condition. The law states that you can use FMLA for any health condition that requires partial hospitalization care or continued treatment from a healthcare provider.

It’s not uncommon for persons who are suffering from a mental health condition to develop a substance use disorder. Thankfully, Bright Futures is can treat dual diagnosis patients who are diagnosed with both mental health and substance abuse. Not only is rehab covered under FMLA, but you can also use that time to treat both disorders at once.

At Bright Futures, we know that each patient’s experience is different. For this reason, we always create an individualized treatment plan. We provide our patients with care based on the extent of their substance abuse and their mental state.

Is alcohol rehab covered under FMLA?

It is estimated that in America, more than 15 million people suffer from alcohol abuse. Alcohol use disorder affects individuals on both a physical and a mental level causing intense dependence. What’s worse, alcohol abuse can cause numerous health issues. Prolonged alcohol use typically increases over time due to the gradual increase of tolerance. In order to break this vicious cycle, individuals should take time off work and go into rehab. At the Bright Futures facility in Boynton Beach we offer a comprehensive alcohol treatment program.

A complete recovery takes time, and patients must complete their partial hospitalization treatment before being eligible for outpatient care. If you need to take time off work to focus on your recovery, it’s natural to wonder is alcohol rehab covered under FMLA. According to the FMLA guidelines, you can take time off under the following conditions:

• You cannot work due to a serious medical condition. This can include a physical or mental condition that requires partial hospitalization care or continued treatment by a healthcare provider.
• You are incapacitated by substance abuse. You are unable to work or perform regular daily activities. This inability can stem from a serious illness or from its treatment or subsequent recovery.

Therefore, the answer to is alcohol rehab covered under FMLA is yes; however a healthcare provider must first recommend the treatment. This means that you cannot miss work due to your alcohol addiction and then use the FMLA as an excuse for your absence.

Is drug rehab covered under FMLA?

Unfortunately, even if you are suffering from serious drug use addiction, you can’t simply leave your job to enter rehab. There are certain conditions that need to be met before you can get time off work.

While you can request leave from work without disclosing your reasons, to be covered by the FMLA, your leave needs to be recommended by a healthcare provider. Once they approve of your leave, you must use that time to go into rehab and receive treatment. You will have up to 12 weeks of unpaid time where your job will be protected. This should give you enough time to finish your partial hospitalization treatment program, and you can then return to your job. In case you still require additional treatment after your leave is over, you can continue your therapy in an intensive outpatient program. Taking part in an outpatient program will let you return to employment while you continue receiving therapy.

End notes

We have gone over who is eligible for Family and Medical Leave Act coverage. Hopefully, by now you should understand does FMLA cover substance abuse treatment in Bright Futures for your job. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions, and we will gladly explain if drug rehab is covered under FMLA for your place of employment. Our staff is compassionate, highly trained, and knowledgeable, and we will gladly help you organize your admission.

FAQ

Does FMLA Cover Substance Abuse Treatment?

Yes, FMLA covers substance abuse treatment if a healthcare provider recommends a rehab program. The leave is unpaid but offers job protection. However, missing work due to substance use without seeking treatment does not qualify for FMLA leave.

Can You Keep Your Job If You Go to Rehab?

Under the FMLA, eligible employees are protected for up to 12 weeks. However, if your employer has a clear substance use policy, they may still terminate you if it applies to all employees equally.

Can Your Employer Fire You for Going to Rehab?

Yes, if a company policy states that substance use is grounds for termination, they can enforce it—even if you take FMLA leave. However, they cannot discriminate against you for past drug use or deny you leave to care for a family member in rehab.

Can You Take Time Off Work with FMLA for Rehab?

Yes, FMLA allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for rehab. To qualify, you must work for a covered employer and have a serious health condition diagnosed by a healthcare provider.

Will My Rehab Information Be Confidential?

Yes, all rehab information is completely confidential. Under HIPAA, healthcare providers cannot share details about your treatment without your consent. Employers must also keep any substance use treatment information private under the ADA.