The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that provides eligible employees with unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons. At Carter Psychotherapy Group, we are committed to supporting your mental health journey, which includes assisting with necessary medical documentation.

Please review the following guidelines regarding the request, completion, and submission of FMLA paperwork.

1. Eligibility and Clinical Requirements

To provide clinical substantiation for FMLA, the following criteria must be met:

• Established Relationship: You must be an active client who has completed a minimum of three (3) sessions. This ensures your therapist has sufficient clinical data to accurately assess your functional limitations.
• Medical Necessity: FMLA is granted based on a "serious health condition" that makes you unable to perform the essential functions of your job.
• Current Assessment: If you have not been seen in the last 14 days, a dedicated "Documentation Review" session may be required to assess your current status.

2. The Request Process

To initiate a request, please follow these steps:

1. Obtain Forms: Secure the specific FMLA forms from your employer’s HR department.
2. Submit to Office: Send the forms via our secure client portal or hand-deliver them to the administrative office.
3. Signed Release: Ensure you have a signed Release of Information (ROI) on file for your employer’s HR or leave administrator. We cannot speak to them or send documents without this.

3. Timeline and Processing Fees

Processing medical-legal documents requires dedicated clinical time outside of your scheduled therapy hour. Fees must be paid in full before paperwork is released.

• Processing Time: Standard turnaround is 7 to 10 business days from the date payment and forms are received.
• Method of Payment: Fees can be paid via the client portal or at the time of your next session.

4. Understanding Clinical Limitations

While we aim to support your leave, please note the following:

• Objective Reporting: Therapists report clinical symptoms and functional impairments; we cannot "guarantee" approval from your employer or insurance carrier.
• Backdating: We cannot backdate FMLA paperwork for periods of time prior to your first session at Carter Psychotherapy Group.
• Long-Term Disability: FMLA is for temporary leave. If your condition requires permanent accommodation or long-term disability, we may refer you to a specialist (such as a Psychiatrist) for a comprehensive evaluation.

5. Submission and Follow-Up

Once completed, the documentation will be:

1. Uploaded to your Patient Portal for your records.
2. Faxed or emailed directly to your HR Department (if an ROI is present).