If mediation efforts are unsuccessful, legal resources do exist. The FMLA requires an employer to grant up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job- protected leave to employees having a serious health condition that makes them unable to perform their job. For more information about FMLA, please contact the nearest Wage and Hour Division, listed in the phone book under the U. S. Government, Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration. If health insurance is not available through work, seek alternative strategies to meet your health insurance needs. For example, CommonHealth in Massachusetts provides full or supplemental health care benefits to working adults with disabilities.
Members pay a monthly premium according to a sliding fee based on their income and family size.
The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 not only requires an employer to grant job- protected leave, but the employer must maintain the employee's medical insurance coverage. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act protects individuals who would be denied insurance coverage on the basis of a pre- existing condition. It allows individuals to change jobs without worrying about being denied by a new insurance company. After applying for VR services, an assigned counselor will work with you to resolve your employment-related questions and assist in defining your needs in your first few meetings. Try to be as clear as possible about what you wish to accomplish through the use of vocational rehabilitation services and consider options for achieving your goals.