How Much Health Information Can Employer Require

[learninlaw]

I have an ongoing FMLA for health issues that I have no problem turning in doctor's note to my employer for. However, in a meeting the newest supervisor is trying to mandate that a general doctor's note will no longer be allowed. The note must stated the exact reason for the visit...my health issues are nothing major or upsetting to share but after thinking this over...what if the doctors visit that would be legit and covered by FMLA was for something very embarrassing and that I would not want shared. Can my employer force us to turn in notes with the exact procedure listed on the note. Example would be I am preg. and have routine visits, the supervisor states notes just saying office visit are no longer allowed and will be denied. The note must state what the office visit was for ie...tests for and expected time of office visit. and being preg. they run tests for all types of things..would the note have to list? I just feel that is too much information...

[cbg]

They can require as much information as it takes for them to determine what, if any, laws are affected. They cannot require a list of what tests, etc. were done, but they can request information regarding the nature of the visit. And it is in your best interest to provide it - "office visit" is not enough to trigger FMLA or any protections; "pre-natal office visit" is. If they don't have enough information to know whether FMLA or the ADA is triggered, then they don't have to apply those protections.

[learninlaw]

Thank you! That is what I was referring to.... I have no trouble with giving them information yet at the same time I don't feel the "note" should say. Blood test or checked to see if dialated. However, the new supervisor and management are trying to say that we must provide them with the information of what the doctro visit was and what procedures were done and how long they took. Mind you I try to schedule my visits at end of day or at times where I miss mininmal work and I am not trying to get away with anything I just don't feel it is right for the note to tell them I was tested for protein in my urine today at the doctors office.

[PandorasBox]

I wonder if your doc could put down something like: Routine Pre-Natal Health Monitoring and Testing"

Tells them what was done, but not too much information....