Can an employer in Georgia require an employee to provide dr. information for non-workers comp appointments?

Question

Can an employer require an employee to provide them with the information to contact their personal doctor in order to verify appointments? Doesn't this violate some sort of privacy law?

Answer 1

An employer has the right to verify that sick time was actually used for sick time and to verify that you are well enough to return to work after an absence.

If you called out because you needed to see the doctor they have the right to verify that is what happened. They can not ask for specific health information, only if you were seen by a doctor and when) or if you are well enough to return to work.

Answer 2

HIPPA policies -- which are government regulations to protect the privacy of patients, would prevent your doctor's office from even confirming that you were a patient -- much less whether you actually went to an appointment.

For example -- you are a pilot, and as such, your vision is critical for your job performance. You get pink eye, and go to the eye doctor. Now, if your eye doctor had to tell your employer that you came in for an appointment, could that jeopardize your job? YES. OR, you are a politician who had plastic surgery to remove a mole. If the public knew you'd had surgery, and jumped to the conclusion that you had cancer, would it impact your election? YES.

BUT, it sounds like here that this employer has been taken advantage of by employees who claim doctors appointments to either get paid time off, to avoid unpopular tasks, schedules or meetings, or whatever. If the company feels that a policy has been abused, they have more justification for requesting documentation.

In a workers compensation case, the benefits often cover both the treatment AND the time spent away from work getting therapy, etc. The employer (who ultimately pays the benefits) may ask for YOUR word that you attended the therapy required to get you back in condition to resume your responsibilities.

Bottom line - you CAN provide your doctors name/ number -- but the office won't answer questions from anyone except the insurance company UNLESS you specifically, in writing, ask them to. If you are lying to your employer, you could hide behind the privacy policy for a while, but are likely to get busted sooner or later. Getting caught golfing when you are supposed to be at the doctors could cost you your job AND the back-benefits you'd already been paid.

Answer 3

Yes. The employer has to think about his business. 1. His clients may have allergies or asthma and if his employees smell of cigarette smoke it could put their lives at risk. 2. He could have a business selling candles or perfume or something that the scent is how he makes his sell and the smell of cigarette smoke would ruin the sells. 3. If the employer offers health insurance the law says it must be available to all his employees. If all the employees are non smokers he will save alot of money on the policies. 4. I have always been a non-smoker and alot of smokers constantly want a smoke break and if they use up there 15 minute every four hours then they sneek to the bathroom or out side. Alot of smokers are never around when you need them because they are off sneeking a cigarette. 5. Studies have shown smokers have poorer health, miss more work due to sick days and are less productive at work. Personally I don't like to have waitstaff smelling like smoke they lean over me when placing the plates, refilling drinks and it ruins my appetite. I don't return to a hairdresser for the same reason, or anyone that has to touch me or my food or drink. I didn't want a babysitter that smoked, the smoke is on them and they might have to pick up my kid. The residue smoke leaves behind can effect health too. There are studies to prove this. Also studies show that second hand smoke is harmful.

Answer 4

In Texas doctors can provide a slip that justs says you visited the dostor that day.

That way the employer does have a record you actually went to a doctor on your time off but your medical records are still private. Your employer has no right to your medical records

"Your health information cannot be used or shared
without your written permission unless this law
allows it. For example, without your authorization,
your provider generally cannot
give your information to your employer" quote from the below source.

Answer 5

If I was a doctor I would respond that I cannot verify whether someone came in or did not come in for an appointment without prior approval from the patient. I don't think it is a question of whether your employer can ask for this information, but whether your doctor can give out such information.

However, if you are using a company health plan, they probably already know whether you saw the doctor or not.

Answer 6

Yes they can. You don't necessarily have to give them the docs info but you can be required to prove the appointment. I would get a dated and signed receipt from the office.

Answer 7

Usually yes if you get med benefits from your employer. They can't get info on why you went to the dr, but they can get verification of whether or not you actually went.