State paid-leave programs provide eligible workers with wage-replacement benefits for qualifying family or medical events, while physician and health-professional programs offer services such as confidential consultation, counseling, referrals, peer support, and monitoring. Eligibility, benefits, confidentiality protections, and available services vary by program.

California — California Paid Family Leave provides eligible workers with up to 8 weeks of partial wage-replacement benefits for qualifying family leave, including bonding with a new child, caring for a seriously ill family member, or supporting a family member connected with an overseas military deployment. The California Medical Association’s Physicians’ and Dentists’ Confidential Line is a confidential resource that provides physicians and dentists with support and referrals for personal or professional concerns. The service also accepts calls from colleagues, family members, and friends seeking assistance on behalf of a physician or dentist.

Colorado — Colorado’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance program provides eligible workers with partial wage-replacement benefits during qualifying family and medical leave. Eligible workers generally may receive up to 12 weeks of leave, with up to 4 additional weeks available for certain pregnancy- or childbirth-related complications. The Colorado Medical Society’s Doc2Doc program provides Colorado physicians and medical students with up to 3 confidential peer well-being consultation sessions. Participants may discuss burnout, stress, or other situational issues, and referrals are available when additional support or treatment is recommended.

Connecticut — Connecticut Paid Leave provides eligible workers with wage-replacement benefits for qualifying family and medical leave, including leave for their own serious health condition, to care for a family member with a serious health condition, and other qualifying circumstances. Most eligible workers may receive up to 12 weeks of benefits. HAVEN is a confidential health assistance program serving health professionals licensed or eligible for licensure in Connecticut. The program coordinates referrals for evaluation and treatment, monitoring, education, rehabilitation, and supportive services.

Delaware — Delaware Paid Leave provides eligible employees with partial wage-replacement benefits for approved leave related to parental leave, a serious personal health condition, care for a family member with a serious health condition, or qualifying military-related leave. Employees may receive up to 12 weeks of combined leave each year, subject to program requirements. The Delaware Professionals’ Health Monitoring Program is available to eligible licensed professionals with substance use or mental health concerns. Program services include evaluation, case monitoring, toxicology testing, and compliance monitoring.

Massachusetts — Massachusetts’ Paid Family and Medical Leave program provides eligible workers with paid leave benefits for qualifying family and medical reasons. Eligible workers may receive up to 26 weeks of combined family and medical leave during a benefit year. Physician Health Services, a nonprofit founded by the Massachusetts Medical Society, provides confidential consultation, assessment, referrals, and monitoring services for physicians, residents, and medical students. The program also offers support for concerns including substance use, behavioral or mental health, physical illness, stress, and work-life balance.

Minnesota — Minnesota Paid Leave provides eligible workers with wage-replacement benefits and job protections during qualifying family or medical leave. Minnesota law protects the confidentiality of physicians’ participation in the Minnesota Medical Association’s SafeHaven program. SafeHaven provides clinician peer coaching, counseling, and work-life concierge services. 

New York — New York Paid Family Leave provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of job-protected paid leave for qualifying family needs, including bonding with a new child, caring for a family member with a serious health condition, or certain military-related family circumstances. The Medical Society of the State of New York’s Committee for Physician Health provides confidential, nondisciplinary assistance to physicians, residents, medical students, and physician assistants. Services include referrals, monitoring, and support for individuals experiencing stress, mental health conditions, substance use disorders, or other psychiatric conditions.

Oregon — Paid Leave Oregon provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of paid family, medical, or safe leave each benefit year. Eligible employees may receive up to 2 additional weeks of paid leave for certain pregnancy- or childbirth-related health needs. The Oregon Wellness Program provides in-person and telehealth counseling, educational resources, and coordinated wellness services for Oregon health care professionals. Participating counselors are licensed clinicians with experience working with physicians.

Rhode Island — Rhode Island’s Temporary Caregiver Insurance program provides wage-replacement benefits for eligible workers who take leave to care for a seriously ill family member or to bond with a new child. The Rhode Island Medical Society’s Physician Health Program is a confidential resource for physicians, physician assistants, dentists, and podiatrists seeking assistance with physical or behavioral health concerns that may affect their personal or professional well-being.

Washington — Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program provides paid leave for an employee’s own serious health condition, caring for a family member with a serious health condition, bonding with a new child, and qualifying military-related family events. The Washington Physicians Health Program provides confidential early intervention, assessment, treatment referrals, and posttreatment health support. Eligible participants include physicians (osteopathic, allopathic, and podiatric), anesthesiology assistants, physician assistants, dentists, veterinarians, and students and residents in these professions. The program provides services for health conditions that may affect clinical practice. 

Sources: State of California Employment Development Department, California Medical Association, Colorado Division of Human Resources Department of Personnel & Administration, Colorado Medical Society, Connecticut Paid Leave Authority, HAVEN, Delaware Department of Labor, Delaware Professionals’ Health Monitoring Program, Mass.gov, Massachusetts Medical Society, Minnesota Paid Leave, Minnesota Medical Association, New York State Paid Family Leave, Medical Society of the State of New York, Paid Leave Oregon, Rhode Island Medical Society, Rhode Island Legislature, Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave, Washington Physicians Health Program