Husky Health Center does not provide medical excuse notes or visit-verification notes for short-term illnesses, injuries, or routine medical visits. When instructors request notes for routine short-term absences, it creates unnecessary medical expenses for students and can unfairly burden students who are uninsured or underinsured.
HHC’s policy of not providing medical excuse notes is consistent with UW policy, which states that “instructors are prohibited from requesting, and students should not provide, medical documentation as proof of short-term illness to justify an absence.” (SGP 112) All UW Seattle faculty who are responsible for course instruction should review the “Medical Notes” section on the UW Registrar’s Syllabus page, including the Medical Excuse Note FAQs.
HHC asks students who have been absent for less than one week to communicate directly with their instructors about absences and follow the attendance, notification, and make-up work procedures in their course syllabus.
If you are ill, injured, or have other medical concerns, you should still see HHC to receive the appropriate care. However, if you only need a medical excuse note, the following general guidance applies:
- Notify your instructor promptly and follow the course syllabus. According to UW policy, you probably do not need an excuse note.
- If you are feeling better and don’t think you need a medical appointment, but missed class because you were sick, you should not schedule an HHC appointment solely to obtain an excuse note. Some instructors may not be aware of the UW policies above. If they still insist on an excuse note from a medical office, you may provide them with this note.
- Please be aware that if you have an appointment at HHC and request a medical excuse note, you will be provided with this same link and asked to provide it directly to your instructor. HHC will not provide custom medical excuse notes for short term absences, even if you come to the clinic for an appointment.
- If your condition is significant, prolonged, or affects your ability to meet academic requirements, HHC will work with you and Disability Resources for Students to discuss available options for academic accommodations.