Doctors Note Needed to RETURN to Work. Do I have to pay for another DR Visit? No Ins..?

Question

Hi! I am so confused right now. I am a 21 year old female student who works full time bartending. I missed a week of work (Last week) and visited my doctor at the Walk In Clinic I go to *TWICE* in 3 days. He wrote me a note "excusing" my days missed at work due to a case of vertigo in my right ear. Now I am not a rich girl, I do not have health insurance (I know, I know, I am looking into it when I get my next 2 paychecks! lol) and everytime I go to visit the doctor its $70 office visit PLUS meds/tests so it totals out to be at least $150-250 each time I visit. My question is : I returned to work with my 2 doctors notes (got one each visit why not that's why I paid $70) everything was fine and I worked this past Friday Saturday and Sunday. Yesterday at work I got a very bad dizzy spell from my vertigo and had to go home. My boss told me I needed to go back to my doctor and get a note releasing me to go back to work. I am feeling better I just got a really random dizzy/nauseated spell at work and I don't have $70 for another office visit just to get a NOTE!

What do I do? Do I call the office instead of going in there and having other patients "listen in" ? If I call what do I say? I am so bad at these types of things. Please help me out. I need to go back to work on Friday, I am a starving student and I need to work :(

Answer 1

Since you experienced the last "spell" while at work your boss is looking at his Workers Compensation Insurance requirements. If you are injured or fall in ill while at work, he is obligated to cover your medical costs. However, since it is a pre-existing condition, he can prevent you from coming to work (causing a dangerous situation for yourself that he may become liable for) until a doctor declares you 100% fit for duty. Since you are having a recurring condition, don't expect a good doctor to just release you to work without further exams. If he did, and you ended up falling for example, boss' insurance company can go after doc for malpractice and you get refused medical treatment covered by Workers' Comp. Inevitably, you are the one with the most to lose in the long run. You said "vertigo in your right ear" was the original diagnosis, but "random dizzy/nauseated spells" can be signs of a serious condition, from ear infection, to pregnancy, to other body infections. Most colleges have free or low cost medical facilities for students, and most US counties have indigent clinics. If you really want to return to work, and school, get the health issue resolved.

Answer 2

Usually a Doctors visit will also include a follow-up visit. You should be able to call the clinic and request a "Return to Work" letter. This is not an excuse for you for missed work but a letter telling your employer that you are healthy and can return to work. It's to protect your employer. GO ahead and call the clinic.


On another note: I have had Vertigo 3-4 times. It sucks. There is an over-the-counter medicine is available and it is very inexpensive. It's call Meclizine , cost $10 for 100. Available at Walgreen's. Don't let then tell you to buy Bonine or Dramamine. They're not the same and have after-effects. Take one a day for a few weeks after an attack. Keep some handy in case of a new episode.

Answer 3

Yes, call the office and request a note - but - recognize your employers concern for thier liabilty - you could drop a tray or fall and hurt yourself. Bottom line is that you need to figure out what is doing this to you.
If you drink, smoke or use drugs, stop immediately. Make sure you are eating a healthy diet, drinking enough water, taking a decent quality multivitamin and getting enough sleep. If after covering all these bases you are still getting dizzy spells you may have something more serious going on and should be pursuing it medically.

Answer 4

I feel so badly for the lack of health insurance in this country.

But you are an established patient call them and tell them the situation. You were still suffering. I am sure the nurse or doctor would be kind enough to write another note excusing you -
and hopefully you can say you can't afford to come in again for a full visit. Being you were in twice, you should be alright.
All they can say is no. I highly doubt they will because as I said you were there twice.
Call - and see what they say. :)

Answer 5

you shouldn't have to pay to get a doctors note. just call and ask for one. tell the receptionist that you need a note stating that you can go back to work. they should be able to have the doctor write you one and all you have to do is go in and pick it up. that's what i've done in the past. as long as the doctor doesn't have to see you again than you shouldnt be charged for a visit.

Answer 6

Yeah, just call the doctors office and have them write a note for you. They can mail it or fax it to your work or you could probably go down there, just walk in and pick it up at no cost.

Get some insurance, girl!! :)

Answer 7

You won't be able to return to work until you get a note from the doctor.

Try to look up a free clinic or ask the doctor's office to set up a payment plan.

Although you need to work, you won't be able to go BACK to work until you go to the doctor's office. Sorry.

Answer 8

I recently had a vertigo attack myself at the gym. Very scary. First time it ever happened to me. I would just call the office and ask them to write you what you need, you shouldn't need to be seen again. Hope you feel better.

Answer 9

If your doctor did not require a follow-up visit, the doctor statement should read that you have been "under his/her care since (date) and able to return to work/school on (date.)"

If it doesn't, call them and ask if they could give you one that does. They shouldn't charge for this service.

That should be enough for even a marginally reasonable employer.

Answer 10

Just call your doctor and tell him or her you need a note releasing you to go back to work. And relax.