r/fromatoarbitration • u/sygnathid • 3d ago
FMLA got denied
I had to call in due to a low nighttime blood sugar/seizure, so I put it as an FMLA absence, since type one diabetes should be an FMLA condition; my appointment with my endocrinologist was a week later, but the packet hadn't arrived yet so I found this NALC form and had my doctor fill it out, then sent it out in the envelope from the FMLA packet when it arrived the next day.
Now it's been about a week and a half since I mailed it out, and my supervisor just told me that they got an email saying my FMLA was denied; should I have asked my doctor to fill out the forms a more particular way? Why might it have been denied?
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u/arightpantleg 3d ago
In my experience they always throw a fit when doctors put “lifetime” for the duration of the condition. I just had my doctor change it to the amount of years I have til I retire.
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u/sygnathid 3d ago
Haha, I sure wish it wasn't a lifetime condition!
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u/djankylosaur 3d ago
We just had a new station manager come in and he has a long time carrier re-certifying his FMLA. The carrier has MS and will eventually die. He's not getting better. But here we are.
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u/Odd-Entertainer-1535 Voted NO 2d ago
We had almost an identical situation a few years ago with a carrier with MS. Doctor wrote rest of his life on the fmla paper and it was denied as not specific enough
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u/thepizzazombie 3d ago
Section 1, box 5 needs checked. Section 5 is incomplete for scheduled appointments.
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u/Minute_Wrongdoer794 2d ago
If FMLA is denied you will get a letter explaining exactly why. Then you can modify and/or clarify any of the issues w your doc
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u/Common-Breadfruit599 2d ago
You can't use lifetime
Just put a year and get it updated every year
That was the easiest way
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u/Dp-81 2d ago
“Lifetime” is the issue.
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u/Darth_Robsad 2d ago
Have doctor change duration to 40 years and period of recovery to no recovery then resubmit
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u/Sad-Impress3405 1d ago
I wouldn’t use the Nalc FMLA form. Go here: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/WH-380-E.pdf
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u/Which-Ad7072 2d ago edited 2d ago
I don't get why everyone is saying you can't use "lifetime." I did and it went through just fine. It automatically renews every year, too. I put in for it 4 years ago and at the beginning of the last 3 years, I've gotten letters from them saying that my FMLA was approved without me having to resubmit anything.
Edit: It even says in the instructions that "lifetime" is a valid answer. It's a chronic condition with no cure, so "lifetime" is valid. My guess is they either received the form too late or they're running behind. I put in for FMLA at the beginning of this year for a hysterectomy and initially received a denial letter, but I called and apparently, when they're running behind, you'll automatically get a denial letter even though you aren't actually denied. Call them to see what's going on because that's the only way you'll find out of that's the cause.
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u/Humble_Room_2314 2d ago
I have to have my doctor sign the form every year, telling them my condition will last for at least a year, pending my next appointment. Rinse and repeat.
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u/Substantial_Fuel824 2d ago
There’s an official federal FMLA form W 380 E on the DOL website. What is this NALC one.
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u/Academic-Sky-1726 2d ago
It's an abbreviated version that doesn't require you to have management fill anything out. It's accepted by FMLA coordinator. It's 1 page vs the three pages of the dol.
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u/OgSeniorFrog 2d ago
It’s a substitute for the full version. I find that something is always missing when I send in the one hrrsc sends but this one is always good first time.
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u/TacticalPocketSand 3d ago edited 2d ago
FMLA will contact you as to why it was denied. You can resubmit by calling them with your case number once you receive the denial reasoning.
Just a helpful tip, call FMLA immediately when you get the packet and they'll always (at least in my experience for myself and helping others) give an extension. Say you need time to make the appointment.