Human Resources | Benefits | Catastrophic Leave Application Instructions
Please read this prior to completing the
package to ensure a timely determination on your case.
Application
- Complete all the requested information on the application including
specific dates, even if provided in a prior certification for this
illness or injury.
- Sign and date the application. If any information is missing or
incomplete, this may cause a delay or denial of Catastrophic Leave.
Health Care
Provider (HCP) Statement
- Ensure your HCP completes all the requested information on the
application including specific dates. If the date is unknown, the HCP
should include the minimum date he/she expects that you will be
released. This information can be updated later, if needed. You will
need to re-certify on a monthly basis.
- It is critical that the HCP note why the case currently meets the
criteria for Catastrophic Leave. The more supporting information the
HCP provides the better. Incomplete information from the HCP may cause
delay or denial of Catastrophic Leave.
- If the request is a subsequent medical appeal, please include
additional medical information that was not provided previously. If
there is no additional medical information, your appeal will not be
considered.
- Complete the Authorization to Request Health Information
completely. This authorizes the UNM's Employee and Occupational Health
Services (EOHS) the ability to contact your Health Care Provider (HCP)
if there are any questions. Failure to complete this may cause denial
of your Catastrophic Leave if EOHS is unable to clarify questions with
your HCP.
Notification
- The manager will receive notification from Human Resources
signifying whether the leave was approved.
- The employee will receive a letter signifying approval or denial.
If denied, the letter will identify the specific reason why the leave
was not approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What
are the conditions covered by the Catastrophic Leave Program?
- How
does the Catastrophic Leave Program differ from a Short-Term Disability
Program?
- Has
the University considered, or will it consider, the addition of a
Short-Term Disability Program? Could this be used to complement the
Catastrophic Leave Program?
- Why
is a medical review part of the Catastrophic Leave Program?
- I
have heard of cases that were denied that appear to be catastrophic.
How is this possible?
- If
my application for Catastrophic Leave is denied, what recourse do I
have?
- I
have heard of cases that were originally approved, but were denied upon
recertification. How is this possible?
- I
don't think the plan is for me. How do I choose not to participate?
- Can
you address non-I & G departments "getting hit twice" with regards
to Catastrophic Leave contributions? My department is an Internal
Service Center, and we appear to pay for benefits once and then again
when staff members contribute to the Catastrophic Leave Program.
Shouldn't this be a transfer of Annual Leave to the Catastrophic Leave
Program as opposed to an additional charge to the department?
- Generally
speaking, what are the criteria used to determine whether an injury or
illness is catastrophic?
- What
is the relationship between Human Resources (HR), the employee, the
manager, the physician, and Employee Occupational Health Services
(EOHS) in making Catastrophic Leave eligibility determinations?
- Can
you tell us what "a history of misuse or abuse of leave" means?
- When
an employee reaches max accrual in his/her annual leave bank, they no
longer accrue time, until leave is used, of course. My question, or
thought, is can the leave that is being "lost", so to speak, be applied
to the catastrophic leave bank?
- I
didn't have enough annual leave in my account on the day the donation
was taken, but I accrued more annual leave at the end of the pay
period. Why couldn't I donate to the program?
