Medical Leave of Absence & Medical Review

Sometimes, students may need to take time off from their studies for health reasons. This could mean missing a few classes or taking a longer medical leave of absence.

We are here to help you understand your options, request a leave if needed, and complete the medical review process to return to your studies.

Medical Leave of Absence

Taking a Leave

A medical leave of absence is a temporary break from classes that can last one or more semesters. It’s different from missing a few days of class due to illness or hospitalization.

If you have a student visa, contact ISSO to speak with an advisor before submitting leave of absence paperwork. Taking a leave of absence can have significant implications for your visa, so it’s important to first discuss your options with ISSO.

How to request a medical leave of absence:

For undergraduate students, leaves of absence can be explored and initiated through the University Service Center (USC). The USC advises students on the options, implications, reasons, and timing for different types of leaves.

For graduate, professional, and non-degree students (including MET and Summer Term), please contact your academic advisor or academic program to discuss leave of absence options.

Returning from a Leave

University policy requires that students who take a medical leave of absence complete several steps prior to re-enrolling, including a medical review process through SHS. This ensures that students have support in place to succeed academically when they return.

The medical review process is just one step toward returning from a medical leave of absence. Please review the University Service Center’s planning checklists to understand the full process, required steps, and deadlines to return from a medical leave of absence.

Medical Review Process

Students are required to complete a medical review when returning from a medical leave of absence and in other circumstances relating to their health and academic enrollment (such as receiving late withdrawals for medical reasons).

All medical review documents must be submitted by the 1st of each month to be considered in that month’s review process. Once you’ve submitted your documentation and completed any required appointments, the Medical Review Committee will review your information. The Committee meets monthly and will send you an email response by the end of the month.

If you have any questions or need assistance with the medical review process, call us as soon as possible at (617) 353-3569.

Steps of the Medical Review Process:

• General Authorization Form
  Complete the Authorization to Use or Disclose Health Information – Medical Review, which asks for information about you and your healthcare provider(s). For Purpose, check the box that says “Medical Review process”. For Health Information Requested, check the box “Summary of Treatment”. For Release of Sensitive Information, check the boxes that apply to your medical leave of absence. Submit the form to SHS via secure email at SHSecure@bu.edu or via fax at 617-353-1128.
• Student Report
  Log into Patient Connect to complete a report about your time on leave and what treatment you received.
  • Log into Patient Connect
  • On the left-hand side, select Messages
  • Select New Message
  • Select Medical Leave Review
  • Select Student Report
  • Describe in detail your time on leave and what form of treatment you received
  • Select Send
• Community Provider Report
  Give the Community Provider Report Form to each healthcare provider with whom you were in treatment while on leave and request that they complete it. Your healthcare provider(s) can either return the completed form to you to submit, or fax it to Student Health Services at 617-353-1128.
• Appointment with a SHS Provider
  You may be asked to speak or meet with a healthcare provider at Student Health Services as part of the return from leave process. We will let you know if this step is needed.

FAQs