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Types of Medical Emergencies

In determining whether a medical emergency exists, the following should be considered:

  • The authenticity and severity of the hardship situation
  • Whether the medical emergency could have been foreseen by the employee
  • The extent to which the hardship situation is within the control of the employee

What is not covered:

  • Elective surgery
  • Routine medical tests 

Absence in Conjunction with a Normal Pregnancy - If you have absences in connection with a normal pregnancy and meets the substantial loss of income definition, including medical care before the birth, confinement and the usual recuperation period after the birth, then the pregnancy qualifies as a medical emergency.

Second Opinions - If there is any doubt whether a medical emergency exists, you may be asked to obtain a second opinion. If medical certification from two or more physicians is deemed necessary, the agency is required to pay the physician or reimburse you upon presentation of appropriate documentation.

Required Documentation - Using Office of Personnel Management form 630, the medical emergency is established through the following documentation:

  • A brief description, not to exceed 100 words, of the nature and severity of the medical emergency
  • Documentation of the medical emergency stating the medical condition, the prognosis, anticipated duration of the condition, and if it is a recurring one, the approximate frequency of the medical emergency

If you are incapacitated, the form must include a statement signed by you or a member of your immediate family or other appropriate person (such as an individual with power of attorney), expressly authorizing the personal representative to make such application. The statement must indicate the relationship of the signer to you recipient.

If you are caring for another person, the form must include a certificate from one or more health care providers specifying the:

  • Medical condition of that person
  • Prognosis
  • Anticipated duration of the condition, and if it is a recurring one
  • Approximate frequency of the medical emergency

For an application to be considered for approval, you or your personal representative must submit the application within 30 calendar days of the termination of a medical emergency.

Inconsistencies between the physician's statement of the expected duration of the medical emergency and the amount of time you’ve requested must be resolved before the application reaches your servicing human resources office or delay will occur. Applications which a supervisor signs which are internally inconsistent will be returned to the supervisor for resolution.