FMLA doubts/questions...

[Hijita]

Since the beginning of the year I've called in or left early from work 3-4 times due to anxiety. I have one sick day left for the year and don't want to get fired if I need to leave or can't work due to anxiety.
I scheduled an appointment to speak with my doctor today, but as a medical doctor she can't approve FMLA for a mental issue (even though she can give me Celexa or Zoloft for it ). She recommend I schedule an appointment with mental health. I tried doing that before, but because my insurance only covers one visit every year 50% off, I still would've ended up paying $200 for the visit.

I decided to go another, less expensive route. The therapist I'm seeing now is a student therapist. I called her asking if she could approve me for FMLA and she didn't even know what it was! I let her know, and told her about the paperwork with the questions, but she seemed real hesitant and unsure that she could help. She offered to write a letter. :/
 
So should I:

A. Suck it up and pay $200 for a visit that might not even approve my FMLA?
B. Email my student therapist the paperwork, let her review it, and see if she thinks she can help? (I'm afraid my job won't approve it if it comes from a student therapist or an intern).
C. Give up on the FMLA and just try to work 'til I'm fired?

[Noahs Mom]

I'd suck it up and pay the $200.00.   Depending on what diagnosis she gives - it should be covered under FMLA as, I believe, parity laws require mental health diagnosis are to be treated as medical - and if a serious health condition exists, they will approve.

I've had several co workers use FMLA for extreme job related stress and non job related anxiety.

[Hijita]

Okay, I did it! I went ahead and scheduled a visit for Tuesday. I'm so worried about it now that I can't even sleep.

1 - What if she doesn't approve me? I saw the student therapist on Thursday and she basically felt I had such good reportings compared to our visit last week (I can feel hunger now, I only woke up once during sleep Wednesday) that she had nothing left to help me with and we cut our visit short and scheduled the next one a month out!

2 - It's probably been about a month since I called in/left early due to anxiety, but I'm so worried that if it happens again I won't be covered.

3 - What if it's just a waste of money? I keep going back and forth between "you won't know if you don't try!" and "forget it - you're going to get denied anyway. Save yourself $200-$300 and cancel the appointment."

If I keep the visit and get denied then I'm out $200-$300 and look like a fool for even trying. If I cancel the appointment then I'll never know...

Gah! I don't know what to do! I'm gonna spew!

[Noahs Mom]

So did you go to the visit or is it next Tuesday? 

[Hijita]

So I went and it was a horrible, horrible experience. I came out needing a Lorazepam! In the end, though, I was approved. I know I'll still be edgy, though, until I see that final stamp of approval from work.

[Hijita]

Yay, it's official! I have FMLA!  Thanks for giving me your input; I'm so glad I decided to do it.

[vanilla1969]

This is something I'm also interested in, my job is what I think triggered this anxiety two years ago, what do you do just have a psychiatrist say your mental is to fragile for work or you need off for treatment

[Hijita]

The process for me was a nightmare, but I've read some people get it done without a problem. Following the steps below might save you some of the hassle I went through.

1. Call your doctor and therapist first to see if either can approve/deny FMLA for a mental issue. If not, they might be able to direct you to someone who can. Ask what's involved; some will approve/deny on the spot, and others want you to see them several times before they'll consider approving/denying.

2. Once you know 100% who will be filling out the paperwork, get with HR to let them know you want FMLA paperwork. They might go over it then, or they might want a meeting with HR/your supervisor/you to go over it together and to let you know what's involved in FMLA. The paperwork has questions for your doctor/therapist to fill out asking if you're on meds, if the condition makes you unable to work, symptoms, how long the episodes last, etc.

3. Give the paperwork to your doctor/therapist, then back to HR.

4. Get official approval/denial letter w/in 5 business days.

[Noahs Mom]

I'm so happy for you, Hijita!!  knowing you have job security even with anxiety is a HUGE stress relief!!

And remember - your employer, like your direct supervisor, etc, can not force you to tell them WHY you need the FMLA.  That is HIPAA...  you can tell that you need to apply for FMLA, but the medical dx is non of their business.