Nevada is the first state to limit what doctors can charge for FMLA certifications

Why does this matter?

Employers may require that employees support their need for FMLA leave with a certification from a health care provider, but employees bear the cost of the certification. The FMLA doesn’t govern whether or how much health care providers charge for a certification, and in some situations, health care providers charge over $100 to complete them.

Such high costs can deter employees from getting a certification completed. But without a certification, employers might not be able to determine if the reason for the leave qualifies for FMLA protections. Without it, they might risk losing their job.

In some cases, employees might be left trying to find a doctor who doesn’t charge any fees to complete an FMLA certification, or at least charges less.

FMLA certification deadline

Since employees have 15 calendar days to give the employer the requested certification, hunting for a new doctor who doesn’t charge a certification fee can be challenging. The current doctor shortage can make it even harder.

Employers can hold employees to the deadline unless extenuating circumstances are involved. The FMLA regulations don’t explain what does or doesn’t qualify as “extenuating circumstances.” Trying to find a doctor who will complete a certification for a reasonable fee might be an extenuating circumstance. As long as the employee is putting forth a good-faith effort to get a certification, the employer might need to be flexible.

Takeaways for all employers

Nevada isn’t usually a bellwether state, but it’s at the forefront of controlling FMLA certification costs. Now that one state has blazed the trail on curbing certification costs, perhaps others will follow suit.

It’s important to note that no employer — in Nevada or any other state — is required to use FMLA certifications to approve (or deny) an employee’s leave. Many employers use certifications to help verify that the leave qualifies and to obtain information about leave schedules. But it’s not a mandated part of the FMLA process.

Key to remember: Employers in Nevada might find that employees are more forthcoming with FMLA certifications, now that they cost no more than $30.