Medical recertifications and annual certifications confirm your leave remains medically necessary. Your healthcare provider completes updates forms similar to your initial certification. If a recertification or annual certification is required, you’ll see tasks in your Cocoon Dashboard to download the form, have your provider complete it, and upload it back to Cocoon. Taking action promptly is crucial to avoid delays in your leave benefits.
What is a medical recertification?
Medical recertification is a process that confirms your medical or caregiver leave remains medically necessary or appropriate. Typically, your healthcare provider fills out and submits an updated medical certification form similar to what they complete when your leave begins. Although there are some state law exceptions, federal FMLA permits employers to request recertification if:
You seek leave beyond the approved duration in the prior certification.
It has been more than six months since your prior certification.
The circumstances of your need for leave as described in the previous certification have changed significantly (e.g., you are taking leave more frequently or for longer durations than what was estimated in the prior certification).
Your employer receives information that casts doubt upon your stated reason for your leave or absences or the continuing validity of the previous certification.
What is an annual certification?
Annual certification is the process your employer may follow to verify that your medical or caregiver leave remains medically necessary or appropriate when you seek leave beyond a single leave year. Your healthcare provider completes and signs the medical certification form, just like with recertifications. If approved, this starts a new leave year for tracking any future annual certifications.
How medical recertifications and annual certifications work in Cocoon
If your employer requests a medical recertification or annual certification, we’ll guide you through each step. You’ll receive an email and see new tasks appear on your Cocoon Dashboard. Your tasks may include:
Download the new SHC recertification or annual certification form. These forms will need to be completed by your health care provider.
Upload the completed SHC form.Once your healthcare provider completes and signs the medical certification form, upload it to your Cocoon Dashboard here. We securely store the document and notify your employer when it’s uploaded and ready for review.
What happens next
Your employer will review the uploaded form to ensure it’s complete and sufficient. If your employer finds that the form lacks key information, you may receive a deficiency notice with instructions that you must upload a corrected form within seven calendar days. If your employer finds the form is complete and sufficient, it may adjust your leave plan based on the details provided.
This may include:
Fully or partially approving a leave extension
Fully denying a leave extension
Modifying the estimated frequency and/or duration of intermittent absences
Modifying your work schedule
We’re here to support you
If you receive a notification in your Cocoon Dashboard about a medical recertification or annual certification, be sure to take action promptly to avoid any delays in your leave benefits. We're here to support you every step of the way through your leave journey.
Have Questions? We're here to help!
Email us at [email protected]