Is an employee required to pay for health benefits while on FMLA leave?

In Washington, the answer to whether an employee is required to pay for health benefits while on leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is "no." According to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, an employee is entitled to keep his/her existing health benefits while on FMLA leave. This includes any employer-provided health insurance, such as medical, dental and vision coverage. However, the employee must continue to make all regular premium payments in order to maintain those benefits while on leave. In addition, the employer may require the employee to reimburse them for the employer’s portion of the premium payments that was paid while the employee was on FMLA leave. This means the employer would collect the employee’s portion of the premium payments that they would normally make while they are employed, plus the employer’s portion of the premium payments that were paid while the employee was on leave. In any case, the employee’s ability to keep their health benefits while on FMLA leave is usually dependent on their ability to make the appropriate premium payments to their employer.

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Is an employee required to pay for health benefits while on FMLA leave?

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