A “Serious Health Condition” means an illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental
condition that involves one of the following:
1. Inpatient Care
Inpatient care (i.e., an overnight stay) in a hospital, hospice, or residential medical care facility,
including any period of incapacity
2
or subsequent treatment in connection with or consequent to
such inpatient care.
2. Absence Plus Treatment
(a)
A period of incapacity
2
of more than three consecutive calendar days (including
any subsequent treatment or period of incapacity
2
relating to the same condition), that also
involves:
(1)
Treatment
3
two or more times by a health care provider, by a nurse or
physician’s assistant under direct supervision of a health care provider, or by a provider of health
care services (e.g., physical therapist) under orders of, or on referral by, a health care provider; or
(2)
Treatment by a health care provider on at least one occasion which results
in a regimen of continuing treatment
4
under the supervision of the health care provider.
3. Pregnancy
Any period of incapacity due to pregnancy, or for prenatal care.
4. Chronic Conditions Requiring Treatments
A chronic condition which:
(1)
Requires periodic visits for treatment by a health care provider, or by a nurse or
physician’s assistant under direct supervision of a health care provider;
(2)
Continues over an extended period of time (including recurring episodes of a
single underlying condition); and
3
Treatment includes examinations to determine if a serious health condition exists and
evaluations of the condition. Treatment does not include routine physical examinations, eye
examinations, or dental examinations.
4
A regimen of continuing treatment includes, for example, a course of prescription
medication (e.g., an antibiotic) or therapy requiring special equipment to resolve or alleviate the
health condition. A regimen of treatment does not include the taking of over-the-counter
medications such as aspirin, antihistamines, or salves; or bed-rest, drinking fluids, exercise, and
other similar activities that can be initiated without a visit to a heath care provider.