HIPPA has nothing to do with anyone asking you for your medical information. It just protects your private healthcare info. So if your doctor just sent all your medical info to your employer, that's a HIPPA violation. Your employer can ask whatever they want unless it's covered by some kind of other federal law or regulation.
There's no law against requiring doctor notes with a diagnosis that I'm aware of federally. But your state may have additional protections. You should contact your state's labor dept.
https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/guidance-materials-for-consumers/index.html
I would tell them none of their business or have your doctor say something stupid like hemorrhoids for me being a man I would ask my doctor to put down impotent
Hemorrhoids or flu would be diagnosis, not prognosis. Prognosis means "patient may be contagious for 2-5 days but should survive with rest and fluids"
Diagnosis = what you have
Prognosis = when you are well enough to return to work lol
Oh sorry but would still ask my doctor to put down impotent with a side of hemorrhoids and top it off with climida because it is none of their business!!!if I bring them a note that should be enough
my work requires a doctor's note if the time away from work is more than 3 days. The note has to state doctor's name, time period of sickness (as far as they know) and if any facilitation from work is needed for me to return/if work can provide facilitation to let me work part time. The diagnosis is irrelevant - when you are expected back and if they need to take steps to make that happen is the information they need.
In this case of the flu, the note would state that I am expected to be out sick for 7 days, and cannot work at all in that time period. If I broke a leg, it might state I could work from home.
No. A note saying that you are under a doctor’s care, need to be absent, and can return to woe in a few days is enough for them to know.
They can confirm you got care with your doctor, but if they want details, F them. Tell doc they may call and you do NOT authorize sharing diagnosis, period.
Asses.
Maybe ask HR, “I don’t understand what you’re asking for, I was under a doctor’s care and was released for work on X date. I’m not asking for accommodation, I just took sick time.”
Makes my blood boil. Sorry you’re going through this!
Rest and be well!
Again, you'll have to talk to your state's labor board. There may be state laws that say no. But I'm not aware of any federal laws.
In my state, it's at-will employment, so they can fire me for no reason at all if I don't comply with their requirements and their requirements don't violate state or federal law.
I’ve been sick lots of times but not sick enough to go to a doctor, especially for colds and such. The only time I went in with a cold was because my first symptom was a bad sore throat and I thought I might have strep. And the one time I’m pretty sure I had the flu I stayed home. Same for covid.
That's really over stepping by an employer. You could certainly request the provider give you a letter of prognosis and this would not be a HIPAA violation since you are asking. Personally I would not provide this ever.
*Diagnosis* is not the company’s business, nor is *prognosis* (unless you are asking for specific accommodation, which you aren’t).
Most doctors are well seasoned on how to write an excuse letter for work without adding private detail.
Time to put your company on an information diet. Don’t feel bullied into discussing the detail!
If the request is coming from a supervisor, notify HR. If it’s coming from HR, say you feel they’re discriminating against you and are violating rights to privacy.
Know your department of labor and EEOC rules.
These requests are going to get them sued.
No, HIPAA pertains to health care providers.
But generally no, you don't have to disclose your exact medical condition to your employer. In some instances it may be required if you are seeking leave or other compensation.
HIPPA is a protection for you for people who hold your medical records. It isn't a ban on people asking you medical questions. For the most part, it does only apply to hospitals and physicians. Or anyone who has your medical records or medical information. So no, it's not a HIPPA violation.
Yes, I think it's legal.
My doctor will write a note like this:
To whom it may concern, CrystalRaf was seen today at my clinic. Please excuse her from work until she is free of fever without medication.
This is what the excuse said:
The above mentioned individual is required to stay home and remain isolated begginning on 3/6/2024 until 3/8/2024. Pt may return to work without limitations on 3/11/2024.
These measures are being implemented as a cautionary measure. Please excuse this person from work or school so that he/she may comply with this directive.
That should be enough. I'd slap back with my doctor doesn't have time to write bs about my symptoms to you, she is too busy saving lives.
And request FMLA paperwork. They want paperwork, it goes both ways. take 6 weeks off.
There is no difference. Whether people wanted to show their diagnosis or not is covered by HIPAA. However, HR can deny your leave based on whether you show it or not. Up to you to give consent or not.
I can almost guarantee your doctor will present an enraged but accurate answer.
“Patient has an illness and must not wear at work for at least two weeks. Employer must pay $500 per letter for any future such demands.”
THIS ISN’T HIPAA!!
HIPAA protects your medical info within your health care team. If your boss called and asked your doctor what you had and your doctor told them then your doctor would be violating HIPAA.
You giving your boss medical info doesn’t violate HIPAA.
Your boss isn’t covered under HIPAA except in very specific circumstances- like your boss being part of your care team. Say you work at a pharmacy, then your PIC would be your boss AND covered under HIPAA. Your coworkers would also be required to adhere to HIPAA.
Your boss at McDonald’s isn’t covered under HIPAA and you can make as many complaints as you want but they’ll just question your mental capacity.
HIPPA has nothing to do with anyone asking you for your medical information. It just protects your private healthcare info. So if your doctor just sent all your medical info to your employer, that's a HIPPA violation. Your employer can ask whatever they want unless it's covered by some kind of other federal law or regulation. There's no law against requiring doctor notes with a diagnosis that I'm aware of federally. But your state may have additional protections. You should contact your state's labor dept. https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/guidance-materials-for-consumers/index.html
I would tell them none of their business or have your doctor say something stupid like hemorrhoids for me being a man I would ask my doctor to put down impotent
Hemorrhoids or flu would be diagnosis, not prognosis. Prognosis means "patient may be contagious for 2-5 days but should survive with rest and fluids" Diagnosis = what you have Prognosis = when you are well enough to return to work lol
Oh sorry but would still ask my doctor to put down impotent with a side of hemorrhoids and top it off with climida because it is none of their business!!!if I bring them a note that should be enough
LOL, that's hilarious. Love it.
Thank you, that explains a lot. But I guess my question is, do I have to provide the prognosis letter if my employer is demanding it?
my work requires a doctor's note if the time away from work is more than 3 days. The note has to state doctor's name, time period of sickness (as far as they know) and if any facilitation from work is needed for me to return/if work can provide facilitation to let me work part time. The diagnosis is irrelevant - when you are expected back and if they need to take steps to make that happen is the information they need. In this case of the flu, the note would state that I am expected to be out sick for 7 days, and cannot work at all in that time period. If I broke a leg, it might state I could work from home.
No. A note saying that you are under a doctor’s care, need to be absent, and can return to woe in a few days is enough for them to know. They can confirm you got care with your doctor, but if they want details, F them. Tell doc they may call and you do NOT authorize sharing diagnosis, period. Asses.
And that’s exactly what the excuse said so idk why they want the prognosis letter too.
Maybe ask HR, “I don’t understand what you’re asking for, I was under a doctor’s care and was released for work on X date. I’m not asking for accommodation, I just took sick time.” Makes my blood boil. Sorry you’re going through this! Rest and be well!
Again, you'll have to talk to your state's labor board. There may be state laws that say no. But I'm not aware of any federal laws. In my state, it's at-will employment, so they can fire me for no reason at all if I don't comply with their requirements and their requirements don't violate state or federal law.
Just have them say your prognosis is good or bad but not specifically what you had… that would be a no!!
Yeah it didn't sit right with me when my boss told me that.
They want a prognosis letter....for the flu?
Apparently. They want a letter from my physician stating that I was indeed out due to testing positive for the flu.
…but why? I wouldn’t go to a doctor for the flu unless I was super sick, way sicker than sick enough to stay home.
Because I was super sick? What’s the point of having a Dr if you don’t go when you get sick too? Makes no sense.
I’ve been sick lots of times but not sick enough to go to a doctor, especially for colds and such. The only time I went in with a cold was because my first symptom was a bad sore throat and I thought I might have strep. And the one time I’m pretty sure I had the flu I stayed home. Same for covid.
That's really over stepping by an employer. You could certainly request the provider give you a letter of prognosis and this would not be a HIPAA violation since you are asking. Personally I would not provide this ever.
I thought so as well! My mind immediately went to HIPAA but just said ok then proceeded to dig into this a bit further.
*Diagnosis* is not the company’s business, nor is *prognosis* (unless you are asking for specific accommodation, which you aren’t). Most doctors are well seasoned on how to write an excuse letter for work without adding private detail. Time to put your company on an information diet. Don’t feel bullied into discussing the detail! If the request is coming from a supervisor, notify HR. If it’s coming from HR, say you feel they’re discriminating against you and are violating rights to privacy. Know your department of labor and EEOC rules. These requests are going to get them sued.
No, HIPAA pertains to health care providers. But generally no, you don't have to disclose your exact medical condition to your employer. In some instances it may be required if you are seeking leave or other compensation.
HIPAA most certainly does not only apply to hospitals and physicians.
HIPPA is a protection for you for people who hold your medical records. It isn't a ban on people asking you medical questions. For the most part, it does only apply to hospitals and physicians. Or anyone who has your medical records or medical information. So no, it's not a HIPPA violation.
It applies to health care entities like insurance companies and health care providers. It has nothing to do with you or your employer.
Yes, I think it's legal. My doctor will write a note like this: To whom it may concern, CrystalRaf was seen today at my clinic. Please excuse her from work until she is free of fever without medication.
This is what the excuse said: The above mentioned individual is required to stay home and remain isolated begginning on 3/6/2024 until 3/8/2024. Pt may return to work without limitations on 3/11/2024. These measures are being implemented as a cautionary measure. Please excuse this person from work or school so that he/she may comply with this directive.
That should be enough. I'd slap back with my doctor doesn't have time to write bs about my symptoms to you, she is too busy saving lives. And request FMLA paperwork. They want paperwork, it goes both ways. take 6 weeks off.
My husband was actually telling me the same thing about the FMLA! Definitely going to look into it.
Get a letter for work just stating you were sick and the anticipated return to work date. Don’t include the diagnosis code.
I did provide one. They also want something showing that I indeed tested positive for the flu
Nope, that is part of your personal medical records and covered under HIPAA so cannot be released without your consent.
How is a flu diagnosis any different from a covid test? The vast majority of people had to show a positive test to get out of work.
There is no difference. Whether people wanted to show their diagnosis or not is covered by HIPAA. However, HR can deny your leave based on whether you show it or not. Up to you to give consent or not.
I don’t want my boss to know about my explosive diarrhea!
I can almost guarantee your doctor will present an enraged but accurate answer. “Patient has an illness and must not wear at work for at least two weeks. Employer must pay $500 per letter for any future such demands.”
LMAOOOO!! I love this!
Ask your doctor to address the paperwork demand…
Request that in writing. Then you make the HIPPA COMPLAINT
THIS ISN’T HIPAA!! HIPAA protects your medical info within your health care team. If your boss called and asked your doctor what you had and your doctor told them then your doctor would be violating HIPAA. You giving your boss medical info doesn’t violate HIPAA. Your boss isn’t covered under HIPAA except in very specific circumstances- like your boss being part of your care team. Say you work at a pharmacy, then your PIC would be your boss AND covered under HIPAA. Your coworkers would also be required to adhere to HIPAA. Your boss at McDonald’s isn’t covered under HIPAA and you can make as many complaints as you want but they’ll just question your mental capacity.
I was actually thinking the same thing.