Health care providers are often asked by patients to complete forms such as FMLA requests, return to work forms, sick notes, and sports eligibility forms. What is the best way to handle these requests?

Health care providers who elect to complete the forms should return them to the patient. The patient is then responsible for delivering the form back to his/her employer or school. Giving the form back to the patient eliminates the need to obtain an Authorization from the patient to disclose the information to the employer or school. If the employer or school requests that the information be sent directly to them, then a patient Authorization is required.

NOTE: You may not confirm the contents of these notes or forms unless you have patient Authorization to do so. You may confirm only whether the signature and letterhead are genuine. You may require the patient to complete an Authorization form allowing you to confirm the contents as a condition of completing the form, if you want.