Here's my "sick verification" story:

I had a head cold and normally would sit it out. With the new rules I figured I better get my sick call "verified."
So I printed out the sick verification form and went to my MD and asked him to fill it out.
On the form, my MD wrote "sick visit" because he felt he couldn't provide "individually identifiable health information" to a third party due to HIPPA regulations.

I sent it in and got a phone call stating my verification was denied because it didn't state the nature of the illness in general terms.

With more phone calls and back and forth, I was advised to go back to the doctor and convince him that he has it wrong on the HIPPA law and he needs to fill out the form stating "the nature of the illness in general terms.
I didn't think I would be very successful giving my doctor legal advice on what he can and cannot say when it comes to federal law, so I called ALPA.
My rep was nice and forwarded my concerns to the contract admin types in ATL. They said this is all still new but if you had a prescription, you can send in your prescription and that will get the sick time verified.
Since I had already filled the prescription and figured a picture of the filled prescription with a matching date to the doctors visit, the doctors name, my name and the name of the medication would be plenty of information to verify I was actually sick.

No, came back the answer from the 4th floor helpers, that still doesn't "state the nature of the illness in general terms" no verification for you!

When I contacted contract admin about this second rejection, they changed their story and said well, you don't have to get it verified and maybe you should just go to your doctor and get a new note...
Since the people tasked with representing my interests were unable to come though on cutting though this madness, I figure I'll just talk to a CP...
After a promotional presentation for the new sick leave program and some tips the sick leave was verified...and the madness finally came to an end.

Here is a key takeaway tip:

Fill out the sick leave verification form completely except for the doctors signature.
Make sure the reason for the visit "describes the nature of the illness in general terms" This is really key for the 4th floor carreer types that process these requests.

Cheers
George

 

I haven't been on reserve for about six months. Started back in DEC. Have they changed the general time they assign the short calls by? Seems it used to be done no later than 1030-1100. Last 3 days they haven't been assigned until almost 1400. Just curious if anyone has noticed a trend?

 

I've only flown 1 -900. Location sucks, but digging out the bag hasn't changed much IMO. The FAs bury my stuff on the -800 too.

 

What an enormous and unnecessary concession we made here. I'm sorry for your frustrating and disconcerting experience. And you were obviously trying to do the right thing! I begged and pleaded with people to review this before they signed the TA. ALPA just flatly responded every time that this was an 'improvement'. That this would only affect a "tiny percentage of pilots" and "the company would never do that". Well lo and behold, here we are, and the company has an entire DEPARTMENT dedicated to harassing YOU, the line pilot.

In fact, all DALPA did here was shift the hassle and duty of representation on to YOU, the line pilot. Thus the unhelpful responses from your representatives at national. They might have well as just told you that it's your problem now, good luck figuring it out. But think of all the money and time you're saving DALPA from having to do jack squat here!

I don't know about you, but this sure doesn't look like any improvement to anything. And I'm sure guys will now be flying sick rather than risk "administrative leave" and a series of phone calls, paperwork faxing, intrusive questioning and carpet dances with management and their physicians. Oh, and make sure the prescription is for something that precludes you from flying... that's straight from the horses mouth. I guess the reps didn't mention that either?? No, why would they? It's not their problem any more!! At what point can we call the FAA and complain that we're being pressured by our employer to fly while sick? This is disgraceful...

 

Good Lord...........

Are we in third grade or what.

Thanks for the heads up George.

 

Wow that is redonk. It'll be interesting if docs and pilots refuse to waive their rights protected under federal law/HIPPA. I don't see how a CBA can waive that for you in any way. Seems like a doc signing something that says "sick visit" is as "general condition" as the law allows and would have to be accepted.

 

We can all move up a number, except Timbo, if you would take the job. Think of the young, hot stews and all the glamour.

 

I know and fully support my Reps. A couple of months ago, I asked the same question ..."How does a CBA abrogate my personal rights under HIPPA?"

It was forwarded to contract admin and I'm still waiting for a reply.....

 

Don't hold your breath. DALPA has effectively washed their hands of representing pilots with sick leave issues. The company has formed an entire department dedicated to harassing you for sick leave usage. In the meantime, DALPA can't even get their answers straight on the phone, let alone actually run interference for you. This is a huge cost savings to both the company and the union. Unfortunately, it means that you'll be putting your career on the line for using sick leave. Better make sure every I is dotted and T is crossed!

 

Excellent post. I believe the goal is to keep the pilots to using less than 100 hours a year out of the sick bank. ALPA reps argued this was an improvement to our contract during the TA sales job.