Opinion ID: 743104
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: City Employed Doctor for Second Opinion

Text: 32 An employer is entitled to verification of the need for medical leave. See 29 U.S.C. § 2613. If the employer doubts the certification provided by the employee's personal physician, the employer may require, at the expense of the employer, that the eligible employee obtain the opinion of a second health care provider designated or approved by the employer. 29 U.S.C. § 2613(c)(1). However, the health care provider chosen by the employer shall not be employed on a regular basis by the employer. 29 U.S.C. § 2613(c)(2) (emphasis added). When Price submitted her leave request, the City sent her a letter informing her that to have her leave approved she must have the opinion of her doctor confirmed by a doctor furnished by the City. She was directed to contact the Risk Management Department to obtain a second opinion from a City doctor with regard to [her] suitability for light office duty. Under the terms of the Act, however, the use of an employer-associated doctor for the second or third opinions is expressly prohibited. Thus, the City cannot gain support from its doctor's evaluation of her as fit to work. Under the Act the City doctor's opinion is excluded from consideration.