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[tenyearemployee]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? Arkansas
I have been with my company for 10 years now and am in good standing with supervisory duties. Over the last 2 years I have had episodes of nearly passing out due to a medical condition that was originally diagnosed as Hypoglycemia, but recently changed to Type 2 Diabetes. My employer requires a doctors release to be able to return to work, which I received, but my employer placed me on forced medical leave after my last episode occuring on May 7. I was able to file FMLA and Disability through our insurance carrier, but was only approved for May 9 through May 20 and received pay for only May 16 though May 20. I have been under the care of a specialist since who is instructing me on how to control my diabetes through proper diet and monitoring my blood sugars and was released to return to work after 2 weeks with no limitations. The problem is when I took the release form to my employer they all of a sudden decided they needed a second opinion and refused to allow me to return to work because they believe I am a safety risk! According to my insurance provider I must provide documentation of my continuing disability to receive benefits. How can I do this since I have been released to return to work, but my employer refuses? Any advice will be quite welcome! Thank You!

 

[Beth3]

My employer requires a doctors release to be able to return to work, which I received, but my employer placed me on forced medical leave after my last episode occuring on May 7. I was able to file FMLA and Disability through our insurance carrier Then a doctor must have certified you as medically unable to work for that period of time, despite the prior release to return to work.

The problem is when I took the release form to my employer they all of a sudden decided they needed a second opinion and refused to allow me to return to work because they believe I am a safety risk! Your employer has the right to require a second opinion in order to ensure your safety on the job and that of your co-workers. You have had multiple episodes of nearly passing out so their concern appears to be justified.

According to my insurance provider I must provide documentation of my continuing disability to receive benefits. How can I do this since I have been released to return to work, but my employer refuses? Contact your doctor and explain the situation and ask if he will provide medical documentatin to support continuing disability time. You may also want to ask him for a referral to another physician to obtain a second opinion, assuming your employer hasn't selected a doctor they wish you to see.

 

[tenyearemployee]

My employer requires a doctors release to be able to return to work, which I received, but my employer placed me on forced medical leave after my last episode occuring on May 7. I was able to file FMLA and Disability through our insurance carrier Then a doctor must have certified you as medically unable to work for that period of time, despite the prior release to return to work.

The problem is when I took the release form to my employer they all of a sudden decided they needed a second opinion and refused to allow me to return to work because they believe I am a safety risk! Your employer has the right to require a second opinion in order to ensure your safety on the job and that of your co-workers. You have had multiple episodes of nearly passing out so their concern appears to be justified.

According to my insurance provider I must provide documentation of my continuing disability to receive benefits. How can I do this since I have been released to return to work, but my employer refuses? Contact your doctor and explain the situation and ask if he will provide medical documentatin to support continuing disability time. You may also want to ask him for a referral to another physician to obtain a second opinion, assuming your employer hasn't selected a doctor they wish you to see.

Thank You! I was never concerned that my employer was unjust, but worried that they may try to terminate me. My employer has scheduled an appointment with another doctor of their choosing and thankfully is paying the cost for I am not drawing any type of pay and cannot afford it. Since I posted this query I have finally gotten in touch with my health care provider after the long holiday weekend. He has promised to pen a letter to my employer and provide copies of latest office visit to submit to my insurance carrier. Hopefully this will help, but only time will tell. I am, however, concerned that since my employer has the release form that this may hinder me from extending my disability pay. Well this is truly a unique experience and I will continue to be in contact with you! Thank you again!

 

[Beth3]

Since your employer is requesting the second opinion, it's entirely appropriate that they pay for the doctor.

I'm not getting any sense from your posts that your employer is trying to screw you - or even that you suspect they are. I think they just want to be completely assured that you are healthy enough to return to work and that you'll be safe on the job. Diabetes can be a very nasty and difficult to control disease.

If you run into further difficulties regarding disability benefits for the additional time off, ask your employer what you should do about the loss of income while you were waiting to see their doctor.