Certified Leave Management Specialist (CLMS) Certification Practice Test

Must the individual with a serious health condition always be under a treatment plan?

1. True

2. False

3. Only in specific cases

4. Only when inpatient

The correct answer is: False

The assertion that an individual with a serious health condition is not always required to be under a treatment plan is accurate. A serious health condition is defined under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) as an illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition that involves inpatient care or continuing treatment by a healthcare provider. This means that while treatment is necessary for many serious health conditions, there are circumstances where an individual may qualify for leave without being actively involved in a prescribed treatment plan. For example, a serious health condition could include situations where the individual is temporarily incapacitated and unable to work but is not actively receiving treatment, or where the individual has periodic episodes of a chronic illness. In such cases, documentation from a healthcare provider may still confirm the presence of a serious health condition without an ongoing treatment plan. The FMLA and similar regulations address both the need for continuing treatment but also recognize the complexities around health conditions where treatment may not be a constant requirement. Understanding these nuances helps clarify why an individual may have a serious health condition while not engaging in a formal treatment plan.