What’s the Difference between
FMLA/STD and FMLA/WC?

✅ FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) – Applies to Both

FMLA provides job-protected, unpaid leave (up to 12 weeks) for qualified medical or family reasons, such as:

• Your own serious health condition

• Caring for a family member

• Birth/adoption of a child

It does not provide pay, but it does protect your job and health insurance.

🩺 FMLA + STD (Short-Term Disability)

This combination usually means:

• You’re not injured at work, but you have a medical condition (e.g., surgery, pregnancy, illness)

• You take FMLA for job protection

• You receive income replacement through your employer’s private Short-Term Disability insurance (usually 40–70% of your income)

Key Points:

• STD is a private insurance benefit

• Therapist documentation often goes to a 3rd-party STD provider

• You are paid while off work, if approved

⚖️ FMLA + Workman’s Compensation

This means:

• You were injured on the job

• FMLA still protects your job and health benefits

• But income and treatment are covered by Workman’s Comp insurance, which is regulated by state law

Key Points:

• You must go through Workman’s Comp procedures

• Treatment providers must agree to the terms of the Workman’s Comp carrier, see note* below.

• Therapists must be contracted with Workman’s Comp to provide services, see note* below.

🚫 Why This Matters for Therapy:

• Many private therapy practices, including Embrace, * do not participate in Workman’s Compensation programs due to administrative and reimbursement structures that do not align with our clinical and billing standards.

• However, they can provide services for STD/FMLA clients if documentation supports the claim.