How to Format a Medical Excuse Letter for Patients

How to Format a Medical Excuse Letter for Patients thumbnail
A doctor's excuse letter is a legal document.

A medical excuse letter may be required to excuse an absence from work or school for medical reasons. A medical excuse letter also is sometimes needed to be able to return to work after an illness or injury. It is a legal document and can be issued only by a physician or medical facility. Using a fake medical excuse letter can have serious consequences, such as termination of employment or expulsion from school.

Instructions

    • 1

      Print the medical excuse letter on letterhead, a preprinted form or prescription pad. These are obtainable only from a doctor's office or medical facility.

    • 2

      State the patient's name and the date seen or dates of in-patient care.

    • 3

      Specify the reason the patient was under a physician's care. Due to the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) and privacy regulations, this should be a brief description.

    • 4

      Include in the letter the date the patient is allowed to return to work or school. Also list any medical restrictions and how long these restrictions are in force.

    • 5

      Add a signature line to be signed by the physician or authorized member of the medical staff.

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References

  • Photo Credit Thomas Northcut/Digital Vision/Getty Images

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