Doctor's Note Service Policy

Last Updated: 3/1/2025

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1. Overview

• Certicare offers short-term doctor’s notes (up to 3 days of absence) for mild illnesses.
• This service is separate from our regular telehealth visits.
• We only issue notes for the following mild conditions:
  • Respiratory infection (cold/flu)
  • Allergies
  • Stomach upset
  • Pink eye
  • Headache/Migraine
  • Menstrual symptoms
  • Stress/Mood symptoms

2. Eligibility

• You (the requester) must be at least 18 years old to use this service—this includes parents requesting a note on behalf of their child.
• The maximum excused period on any single note is 3 days, and you cannot receive more than 3 days of excused absence in any 30-day period from Certicare.
• We do not provide notes for serious or emergency conditions.

3. How It Works

1. Stand-Alone Request: You fill out a brief online form describing your (or your child’s) mild illness.
2. Provider Review: A Certicare healthcare provider reviews the information you provide. If needed, they may email you for clarification.
3. Issuance: If your condition meets our criteria, the provider issues a doctor’s note.
4. Provider Discretion: The provider can refuse to issue or modify the note at any time if they feel it is not appropriate to issue or change.

Identity & Information Verification

• All decisions are based on self-reported symptoms. If you give incomplete or inaccurate information, we may not be able to issue a note.
• If the provider suspects misrepresentation or deems the request inappropriate, the note may be refused or canceled.

4. What the Doctor’s Note Includes

• Healthcare provider’s full name, credentials, and signature
• Certicare’s customer support phone number and email
• Brief, generic statement of the reason for absence (e.g., “acute illness” or similar language)
• Dates the patient is recommended to be excused (up to 3 days)
• Date of evaluation
• Anticipated date of return to work or school

Information We Do Not Provide

• We do not include detailed medical history or sensitive health information to protect patient privacy.

5. Limitations on Use

1. Short-Term Mild Illnesses Only: We cannot provide notes for serious conditions or long-term absences.
2. Not for Legal or Disability Claims: The note cannot be used for:
   • Court appearances
   • Probation check-ins
   • Drug tests
   • Military duty
   • Work restrictions or accommodations
   • Insurance claims
   • Disability payments
   • Worker’s compensation
3. No Comprehensive Clearance: Our doctor’s note does not serve as a fitness-for-duty certification or comprehensive medical clearance.
4. Limited Changes: After issuance, the note can be altered only at the provider’s discretion.

6. Verification Process

• If your employer or school wants to verify the validity of the note, they can call our customer support line or email us.
• Verification Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM (ET). Messages left outside these hours will be returned within one business day.

7. Refunds

1. Provider Refusal: If the provider decides not to issue a note, you are eligible for a refund.
2. No Other Refunds: Once a valid note is issued, no refund will be granted.

8. No Guarantee of Acceptance

• Employers, schools, and other organizations may have different policies and may reject any telehealth-provided note. Certicare does not guarantee acceptance.
• It is your responsibility to understand your employer’s or school’s requirements before requesting a note.

9. Acknowledgment

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By requesting a Certicare doctor’s note, you agree to the following:

1. You have read and understand this policy.
2. You confirm that all information you provide is accurate and truthful.
3. You understand that misrepresentation may invalidate your note.
4. You accept that the provider has the final discretion to issue, modify, or refuse a note.

Questions? Contact us at:

• Phone: 518-254-8905
• Email: support@certicare.org

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