As long as you are on some sort of 'short term leave', I believe you only have to pay the 'employee's' costs, not the whole shebang? That really doesn't change the stress on the cash-flow, but keeping continuious insurance is a MAJOR primary issue here, I'm thinking.

I know it seems like an 'invasion of privacy' regarding what THEY want to know, but at times they too need to legitimize your case regarding how they 'accomodate, pay and treat' you. It can be come a slippery slope for you and them. BUT, one thing to keep in mind is that 'personnel people not only encounter this stuff a lot [some valid, some bogus] BUT they have to keep their mouths SHUT, absolutely SHUT about your case. Should anything 'get out' in an improper fashion their butts are gonna be on a street corner! Or a lawsuit - I've been in enuf personnel positions to know that well and true. - j