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 February 29, 2024
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 Hello, Colorado FAMLI community. FAMLI benefits are finally here! We received a huge response from individuals and families across the state already, and we’re eagerly distributing benefits as Colorado voters intended back in 2020. To more effectively assist you in every step of the way, our newsletter will look a little different next month. We’ll be sending separate updates to individuals and families, employers and third-party administrators, and healthcare providers across the state. Be sure to check your subscription preferences, so you receive updates on the topics that are most impactful to you in 2024.
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  Watch the February Statewide Town Hall
With benefits now available, many claimants, employers, and business owners are reaching out to us with various questions regarding eligibility and leave types through our live town halls. In case you missed our February Virtual Town Hall, the recording and slide deck are available on our Events page. The recording is available in Spanish as well.
Most of our town halls reach the maximum capacity of 500 registrations on Zoom quickly. Subscribe to our official YouTube channel to watch the live stream, where we also answer questions left in the comment section.
Trending Topics
Check out these trending topics from the latest town halls. Here is a list of pages you can visit to get more details on these topics:
For additional support with the application process, we have a step-by-step user guide, several how-to videos, and an application checklist. If you still need help, give us a call at 1-866-CO-FAMLI (1-866-263-2654) Monday–Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. MT.
We encourage you to share your experience with us, so we can continue improving the customer experience. Please fill out our My FAMLI+ feedback form after filing your claim.
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Register and attend our March Town Hall
The FAMLI March webinar will be held on March 21, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Our presentation will include: how to securely file for FAMLI benefits; what to expect while on FAMLI leave; employer updates; private plan refunds; and taxes. The remainder of the time will be spent answering your questions.
Click to Register now: Registration Link
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Important steps to take for identity verification
Colorado workers who are paying premiums for wage replacement when they need to step away from their jobs deserve protection from fraudsters. That’s why the new Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) Division has set up robust safeguards to keep FAMLI benefits secure and available to eligible Colorado workers experiencing serious life events.
The identity verification component of filing a FAMLI claim is one of those safeguards. The FAMLI Division wants to make sure that FAMLI claimants are eligible workers who have been paying premiums – and that fraudsters can’t sap Colorado’s new insurance benefit by posing as eligible claimants. Don’t let the identity verification step intimidate you when you need to file a valid FAMLI claim.
Read our blog post for more information.
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Reporting FAMLI Fraud
We have added a new Reporting FAMLI Fraud page on our website. Fraud is a serious crime. Detecting and preventing FAMLI fraud is a priority for our agency. Claims are audited regularly to ensure benefits are paid according to state law. Don’t let a fraudster put you at risk for prosecution! Follow these basic steps to protect yourself from FAMLI fraud:
- Always tell the truth. If you intentionally make false statements or hide information to gain or maintain FAMLI benefits, you are committing fraud.
- Do not use another person’s identity (e.g. name, Social Security number, address) to work or to file for FAMLI benefits.
- If you have filed a FAMLI claim, regularly check that your address, phone number, email, and payment method are correct and have not been altered.
- Protect your own identity and do not share your My FAMLI+ password with anyone.
- Never click on a link in a suspicious text or email unless you were expecting it. If you are unsure about any link asking you to log into your account, simply disregard the link and instead access your My FAMLI+ account from the official FAMLI website at famli.colorado.gov.
- Do not help someone to fraudulently file a FAMLI claim or request payments. Tell us right away when you return to work.
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 Employers & Third Party Administrators:
Update Your HR Point of Contact in My FAMLI+ Employer
Now that your employees can apply for FAMLI leave, don’t forget to add the contact information for your HR Benefits Manager in My FAMLI+ Employer. This new feature allows you to easily designate a dedicated point of contact for your HR Benefits Manager within your organization and any other organizations you represent.
This designated contact will be the go-to person who receives documentation when an employee applies for FAMLI leave. This documentation will now also be delivered via email (in addition to a mailed letter)! If a point of contact isn't provided for the HR Benefits Manager in My FAMLI+ Employer, employee benefit documentation will be sent to the main email address and mailing address for the account holder on file.
While you’re at it, don’t forget to make sure all of your contact information (including your email address) is up to date in the system. For more information, please refer to Page 41 of the Employer User Guide on our My FAMLI+ Employer page.
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 Health Care Providers: Why it’s Important to Verify Your License!
Your patients are applying for FAMLI leave benefits and your participation is important. Health Care Providers who are verified in My FAMLI+ will provide an elevated patient experience and eliminate excess paperwork and expedite the paid medical leave approval process.
Remember, we need you to complete our Serious Health Condition Forms with all the required information. We have indicated which fields are required with an asterisk, and if you omit any fields that are required, it will result in your patient having to contact their provider again, to have it corrected. If you register in the My FAMLI+ portal and verify your license, you can certify claims electronically, and the system will make sure you do not omit any information that we need to properly adjudicate a claim. Verifying your license will result in faster claim-processing times for your patients, allowing them to focus on their prescribed treatment plan, maintain their health insurance coverage, and receive partial wage replacement when they’re unable to work.
Not sure where to start? Refer to our step-by-step user guide for healthcare providers if you need help finishing the license verification process. We also have how-to videos for additional support.
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People Are Asking
Applicants Are Asking
Q: What sort of circumstances can I use my paid leave for?
A: Individuals can use FAMLI leave to take time away from work to:
- Care for a new child, including adopted and fostered children
- Care for themselves, if they have a serious health condition
- Care for a family member’s serious health condition
- Make arrangements for a family member’s military deployment
- Address the immediate safety needs and impact of domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
Q: Can I backdate my FAMLI Claim?
A: A FAMLI leave claim needs to be opened within 30 days after the first date of absence in order to be considered for FAMLI benefits. Any FAMLI claim filed between 31-90 days after the first date of absence will be considered if the Claimant also establishes good cause for the delay. (7 CCR 1107-3.6.4)
Q: How are benefits calculated if I work inconsistent hours or multiple jobs?
A: When you apply for FAMLI leave, you will enter your average work schedule. Enter your working hours for each day of the week. If you have more than one employer you will need to repeat this step for each employer. You can also use the system to calculate your average work schedule if you work inconsistent hours. You’ll do that by filling in the hours you worked each day over the last four weeks and selecting the “Calculate Average Schedule” button. The My FAMLI+ system will use this information to calculate your typical working hours per week and use that to determine your benefit payment amount. Learn more about what you need to know if you have multiple jobs here.
Employers Are Asking
Q: How do employers administer FAMLI with existing leave/PTO policies?
A: Employers cannot require employees to use accrued vacation, sick leave, or other paid time off before or while receiving FAMLI. However, employers and employees can agree that an employee taking FAMLI leave can use accrued paid time off to “top off” their pay to make their benefit payments “whole.” Employees cannot, however, receive more in total compensation than their average weekly wage.
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Share Your Story
“As a part-time employee, I didn't qualify for a paid medical leave of absence from my employer. I needed 10 to 12 weeks for my physical therapy after knee surgery. Being enrolled in FAMLI has been extremely helpful in covering my deductibles, prescriptions, and groceries.”
We want to hear your personal stories. Please tell us how FAMLI is helping you through a significant life event. Each month we’ll feature real stories in our newsletter and across our social channels.
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