Medical Excuse Note Policy

The UH Student Health Center does not provide medical excuse documentation for illnesses or injuries that were self-managed and resolved without evaluation or treatment by a Student Health Center provider, or when there are no objective findings to support a medically necessary absence.

• If a student missed an academic commitment because of a prior illness or injury for which medical care was not sought while the condition was present, the student should not schedule an appointment solely for the purpose of obtaining a medical excuse note.
• Medical excuse documentation may be provided only when a Student Health Center provider has been involved in the student's care and determines that the student's medical condition necessitates absence from an academic or employment commitment. 
• Students who receive evaluation or treatment for an illness or injury from a private physician or other healthcare provider should request any medical excuse documentation directly from that provider. The Student Health Center does not issue medical excuse documentation for care provided by external healthcare providers.
• The Student Health Center does not provide medical excuse documentation for routine health matters that may result in missed classes, examinations, work, or other scheduled obligations. 
• Regardless of the reason for the visit, the Student Health Center can provide students, upon request, with verification of a completed appointment that includes the date and time of the visit but does not disclose specific medical information. Appointment verification confirms attendance at a healthcare visit only and does not constitute a medical excuse for missed classes, examinations, work, or other academic or employment obligations.

Visit verification and medical excuse documentation are provided only to the student. Students are responsible for presenting this documentation to faculty, staff, employers, or other third parties as needed. The Student Health Center will not disclose, verify, or communicate information regarding a student's visit, reason for visit, or medical excuse documentation directly to faculty, staff, employers, or other third parties for purposes related to academic, employment, or other obligations.

This policy helps protect patient confidentiality by minimizing the disclosure of sensitive health information. Requiring students to provide detailed medical information to support academic, employment, or other obligations may create unnecessary privacy risks and increase the potential for further dissemination of protected health information beyond its intended purpose.

The Student Health Center Medical Excuse Policy is consistent with recommendations from the American College Health Association and the practices of peer institutions. It reflects the Student Health Center's commitment to protecting patient confidentiality, promoting appropriate use of healthcare resources, and encouraging direct communication between students and faculty members or employers regarding attendance-related concerns.