Help me Medical Leave.
July 31, 2018 4:04 AM Subscribe
I have to have major thoracic surgery and need to take a 12-week medical leave. Please help me make this a success.
What it says on the tin. I am having my entire first rib removed on my left side in late September. This is to treat venous thoracic outlet syndrome. Medical wise, I guess I'm ready? I know nothing about logistics of taking FMLA leave though. Halp?
My employer (US company, greater than 1,500 employees) offers short term disability and medical leave through a third party (Matrix Absence Management). They treat us as employees well so although I know nothing about Matrix, I'm assuming this should be a smooth process. According to our work policy, we need to submit a claim to Matrix for approval 30 days (but not earlier). This seems weird to me and after speaking with Matrix they confirmed this. I also have a letter from my surgeon's office. Since I can't submit to Matrix until August and do any of their paperwork, I was going to tell my boss now and give her a copy of the letter because I think giving more than 30 days notice is the right thing to do. I am nervous about this but think it will go ok. Do you foresee any issues with this? Anything in particular I should tell her as tips? She is a good boss and generally understanding.
Assuming Matrix "approves" this and I go in for surgery it's going to be a few days in the hospital then a brutal two weeks at home where I will be heavily restricted to laying in bed. After that, I can slowly start doing things around the house but no typing for 4-6 weeks. After the first 6 weeks I can start walking for fitness while I'm healing for the rest of the 12-week period.
As a super active runner this is going to be a killer. Any tips to stay sane? When I do go back to work it will be after the holidays in early January, so the timing isn't horrible, but it's going to be a big deal.
Kinda feel like a deer in headlights right now. I'm sure I'm missing something.
What it says on the tin. I am having my entire first rib removed on my left side in late September. This is to treat venous thoracic outlet syndrome. Medical wise, I guess I'm ready? I know nothing about logistics of taking FMLA leave though. Halp?
My employer (US company, greater than 1,500 employees) offers short term disability and medical leave through a third party (Matrix Absence Management). They treat us as employees well so although I know nothing about Matrix, I'm assuming this should be a smooth process. According to our work policy, we need to submit a claim to Matrix for approval 30 days (but not earlier). This seems weird to me and after speaking with Matrix they confirmed this. I also have a letter from my surgeon's office. Since I can't submit to Matrix until August and do any of their paperwork, I was going to tell my boss now and give her a copy of the letter because I think giving more than 30 days notice is the right thing to do. I am nervous about this but think it will go ok. Do you foresee any issues with this? Anything in particular I should tell her as tips? She is a good boss and generally understanding.
Assuming Matrix "approves" this and I go in for surgery it's going to be a few days in the hospital then a brutal two weeks at home where I will be heavily restricted to laying in bed. After that, I can slowly start doing things around the house but no typing for 4-6 weeks. After the first 6 weeks I can start walking for fitness while I'm healing for the rest of the 12-week period.
As a super active runner this is going to be a killer. Any tips to stay sane? When I do go back to work it will be after the holidays in early January, so the timing isn't horrible, but it's going to be a big deal.
Kinda feel like a deer in headlights right now. I'm sure I'm missing something.
Yes, go through HR, and make sure you know all of the information. Most short-term disability pays 60% of your salary, which is taxable income. You might also get a separate bill for your share of health insurance premiums (because the salary replacement money is paid from the insurance company, not your payroll dept., so your health insurance won't be deducted from that check).
Also make sure you know of any deadlines to file more forms to continue your short-term disability. Some plans require you to file again after a set amount of time (30 days, for instance). It might be helpful to set up calendar reminders on your phone, or a paper calendar, and have a family member or friend help you with this, as you will be recovering.
This is just general FYI, your plan details may vary. Just make sure you read and understand all the materials, and have a back-up plan in case paperwork goes missing and the disability company delays payment for some reason.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 5:24 AM on July 31, 2018
Also make sure you know of any deadlines to file more forms to continue your short-term disability. Some plans require you to file again after a set amount of time (30 days, for instance). It might be helpful to set up calendar reminders on your phone, or a paper calendar, and have a family member or friend help you with this, as you will be recovering.
This is just general FYI, your plan details may vary. Just make sure you read and understand all the materials, and have a back-up plan in case paperwork goes missing and the disability company delays payment for some reason.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 5:24 AM on July 31, 2018
Absolutely go through HR. This is why they exist. Even if you don’t, your manager will most certaintly have to go that route once you tell them. They should also be able to help guide you through the process to some extent.
posted by cgg at 5:52 AM on July 31, 2018
posted by cgg at 5:52 AM on July 31, 2018
I have actually had to deal with Matrix for my own medical leave. HR will probably just tell you to call them. You can definitely set up a leave ahead of time; I did mine two weeks before my leave of absence started.
It's also best to get started with Matrix as soon as you can. They are not terribly efficient, and many faxes my doctor sent went missing. You will be assigned one Matrix employee as your point of contact person, and having had a couple leaves of absence, your experience with them really depends on who you get. They'll take information over the phone, and then send you a packet in the mail with other paperwork you have to submit. If you're eligible for disability they take care of all of that too.
Don't bother with their app; it's worse than useless. Just call them.
Best of luck with your surgery and recovery!
posted by lastofthelost at 7:14 AM on July 31, 2018
It's also best to get started with Matrix as soon as you can. They are not terribly efficient, and many faxes my doctor sent went missing. You will be assigned one Matrix employee as your point of contact person, and having had a couple leaves of absence, your experience with them really depends on who you get. They'll take information over the phone, and then send you a packet in the mail with other paperwork you have to submit. If you're eligible for disability they take care of all of that too.
Don't bother with their app; it's worse than useless. Just call them.
Best of luck with your surgery and recovery!
posted by lastofthelost at 7:14 AM on July 31, 2018
Please forgive me for not directly answering your question, but i hope this forum for climbers can be helpful.
posted by Dashy at 7:36 AM on July 31, 2018
posted by Dashy at 7:36 AM on July 31, 2018
Matrix is a Leave Administrator, your company has contracted with them do your HR people don't have to deal with LOAs. You can, of course, reach out to your HR but don't be surprised if they just give you Matrix's phone number.
Just call that number. Matrix will walk you through the rest, depending on how your company has it set up with Matrix there is likely an intake call, have your doctor's info available (name, phone, fax). They will send you the form as well as fax to the doctor. I've found it easier to walk my form into the doctor's office. Just ask the front desk who to leave it with and when you can pick it up again. While disability and FMLA are technically two different things, Matrix will probably handle both in one application for you and do the rest of the work.
You want to start this process as soon as possible. Depending on how long it takes your doctor to respond and fill out the form and how your company pays out leaves, you may miss pay (that they will catch up later) if there is a delay or you wait to start the process until closer.
Agree with lastofthelost, their app is absolute trash.
posted by magnetsphere at 4:08 PM on July 31, 2018 [1 favorite]
Just call that number. Matrix will walk you through the rest, depending on how your company has it set up with Matrix there is likely an intake call, have your doctor's info available (name, phone, fax). They will send you the form as well as fax to the doctor. I've found it easier to walk my form into the doctor's office. Just ask the front desk who to leave it with and when you can pick it up again. While disability and FMLA are technically two different things, Matrix will probably handle both in one application for you and do the rest of the work.
You want to start this process as soon as possible. Depending on how long it takes your doctor to respond and fill out the form and how your company pays out leaves, you may miss pay (that they will catch up later) if there is a delay or you wait to start the process until closer.
Agree with lastofthelost, their app is absolute trash.
posted by magnetsphere at 4:08 PM on July 31, 2018 [1 favorite]
Make sure your work is well-organized, well-documented. Your employer sounds like they will be easy to deal with, so maybe tell your boss that you are having major surgery and will be on leave if they will need to hire a temp.
Good luck and be well soon!
posted by theora55 at 6:23 PM on July 31, 2018
Good luck and be well soon!
posted by theora55 at 6:23 PM on July 31, 2018
This thread is closed to new comments.
I'd contact them first, it's likely there are two applications, one for short term disability and the actual FMLA through HR.
posted by AlexiaSky at 4:21 AM on July 31, 2018 [1 favorite]