Have you ever forged a doctor's note for your employer?

Forged as in how?

I’d just call the doctor’s office, have them update it with a new date, and fax it over. A nurse could do it in a second. You don’t ever want to screw around with forging that kinda thing. It seems like such a small and easy thing to get, without risking a firing.

No, I’ve never forged anything in my life. That would be dishonest. Just to be on the safe side, you should consider going back to your doctor and getting an authentic note that you can show your employer.

I had an x g/f who’s mom was a doctor, and had kept her last name when she married.

As such said x g/f had all the doctors notes and prescriptions she wanted.

@hiiiiiii: i mean forged as in writing a current note _____needs to wear sneakers for medical reasons.” with doctor’s name and address at top, like letterhead. that’s exactly what the old one said, except i got it from the doctor.

i know if i call the doctor and ask them to fax a new one, they’ll say you weren’t here in two years you need to come in. i’m trying to avoid having to go in. there’s no exam involved, just the hassle of the time, and the copay. the doctor looks at my condition (which is legit) and just writes a note.

@jca. The lesser of the two evils is to actually go back to the doctor, regardless of the time hassles, and get a legit note as opposed to composing a forgery. You’ll feel better in the long run if you go the honest route.

Unfortunately HIPPA laws do not protect against this type of request although they would protect against your employer from sharing that information with others. So it does seem a bit silly. It especially seems absurd that they want a new note.

I would not forge a note. But I might have a talk with my employer about the requirement of the new note and ask what they do with the note once it is received. I would only do this though if I felt secure in my job. Otherwise I’d just go along with the unfounded wants of my employer because the economy is harsh right now and losing a job is a scary thing.

I see that you really don’t want to have to get a new note and if that is the case I might find out exactly why your employer needs a new one. If you do have to get a new one I would make sure the dr. includes a line stating that this condition will not change and therefore the need to wear sneakers will not change so you won’t have to provide a new one in the future. (I suspect your employer lost the old one).

i have a copy of it but they said can you get a new one since this one is over a year old. i like my boss and i know this is not from her, this is from above her,and so i don’t want to argue and start a hassle, but at the same time i started thinking when they receive the new one, they’re not going to call the doc and verify it, so why not. i’m just thinking of doing it, i’m not sure. but it seems like something they all just want to cover themselves with, and it will just sit in the file. it makes me wish i had the doctor write something about not expiring on the previous one.

Isn’t that some kind of felony? Some employees actually will check up on the validity of a note.

@jca Don’t forge it. I completely understand the desire to forge it but don’t do it. It could cost you your job. I say try to get the Dr.s office to fax you a new one. Make sure they include the additional line. If they want you to pay the copay then go to a low-cost clinic and have them do it instead. But don’t risk your job. If they are making a point of asking for a new note then it is likely they will check on this one.

I’ve faked being sick, but not forged a note.

Even though it sometimes means an extra appointment or even backtracking, I have never forged a doctor’s note. Since it apparently matters to some anal higher up, I would just go ahead and make an appointment and get the note. Someone who is picky enough to want a new note will be picky enough to check with the doctor.

but would it not be illegal for a doctor to give out info on a patient due to confidentiality laws?

@jca Yes it would be illegal. BUT it would not be illegal if your employer called to verify the note. The doctors can legally say if the note is valid or not without discussing the patient or the patient’s condition.

HIPAA won’t protect you from the doctor saying, “No, the last note I wrote was a couple of years ago.”

Basically, you are risking your job because you aren’t willing to visit the doctor. Does that really seem worth it to you?

Actually, regardless of HIPPA doctors are allowed to verify the authenticity of the note if there is reason to believe it was fraudlent. HIPPA isn’t there to protect liars, only the privacy of patients. They can absolutely verify that a note is authentic. Forgery is a misdemeanor in many states, and I’m sure any doctor in their right mind would proscute.