Question:
DO YOU HAVE TO LET YOUR EMPLOYER KNOW WHAT KIND OF SURGERY

I WORK FOR THE 1 RETAILER IN THE WORLD AND ONE OF THE BENEFITS IS AS A MANAGER IS 90 DAYS PAID OFF BUT IT SAYS ONLY IF THEIR MEDICAL WOULD COVER IT REGARDLESS IF YOU ARE INSURED BY SOMEONE ELSE WELL THEY DONT COVER IT ,HELP WHAT WOULD YOU DO???    — nikki C. (posted on April 25, 2004)

April 25, 2004
Absolutley not.If they try to pressure you into it remind them of the HIPPA law.
   — Cathy G.

April 25, 2004
NO! It is none of thier business. You are entitled to 12 weeks non paid leave for medical reasons for you or your family. This is a LAW, not a benefit of your company. Since you are receiving this benefit as a paid one, is it your company paying for this or is it short term disability insurance? Either way, it is none of thier business. If you know for a fact that thier insurance does not cover WLS, then don't even bother. But do know that they can not fire you, demote you, or pay you less when you return because of you taking this time off. Here is a link to the law. <br>http://www.cms.hhs.gov/hipaa/hipaa1/default.asp
   — RebeccaP

April 25, 2004
HIPPA prevents an employer (and most other parties) from obtaining your medical information without your permission. If you are taking time off and being paid under FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) your employer can require you to provide a medical certification that confirms you have a "serious medical condition." They can also send you (at their expense) to a company-designated doctor to confirm that the "serious medical condition" does in fact exist, or that doctor may contact your doctor (with your permission) to clarify the medical issues. See question 14 or so at http://www.dol.gov/elaws/esa/fmla/faq.asp
   — DrL

April 26, 2004
Make sure you let your doctor and his/her assistants know that you wish to keep your type of surgery private, they can word the report in such a way only a physician could translate it for your medical leave. YOUR MEDICAL TREATMENTS ARE PRIVATE BY LAW. You can say I'm having surgery or stomach or whatever you chose.
   — Anna M.