Digital medical certificates (MCs) often raise questions from HR teams and schools. Are they valid? Can someone fake them? What proof should you provide? This guide breaks down how OnlineDoctor.sg issues MCs and how employers can verify authenticity.
1. MCs are medicolegal documents
- Only Singapore Medical Council (SMC) registered doctors may issue MCs.
- The Healthcare Services Act (HCSA) and SMC Ethical Code prohibit backdating or post-dating MCs, except when clinical findings clearly justify earlier cover.
- Each MC documents the diagnosis, rest duration, and doctor in charge. Altering any detail constitutes forgery.
2. DigiMC via mc.gov.sg
OnlineDoctor.sg issues every MC through https://mc.gov.sg. The PDF or email you receive contains:
- A unique serial number.
- Doctor name and MCR number.
- Rest dates and whether light duties were prescribed.
- A QR code that points back to the government-hosted record.
Recipients can scan the QR code or visit the verification link to confirm authenticity instantly.
3. How teleconsultation MCs are assessed
During your video consult the doctor will:
- Verify your identity (NRIC/Singpass).
- Ask about symptom onset, severity, home readings, and potential red flags.
- Determine if the condition is suitable for telemedicine. If not, you will be referred for in-person care.
- Decide on rest duration—teleconsult MCs typically cover 1–3 days unless public health guidance indicates longer (e.g., COVID-19, HFMD, chickenpox).
4. What employers can request
Employers may:
- Ask for the DigiMC serial number.
- Contact the clinic via hello@digitalhealth.sg or WhatsApp +65 8897 7900 for confirmation.
- Request a consult summary, provided you consent to release it.
Employers cannot demand access to your detailed medical records without your written permission.
5. Safeguards against fraud
- All MCs are stored in our electronic medical records with secure audit trails.
- Couriers require a verification code before delivering medications linked to the MC.
- We flag unusual patterns (e.g., repeated MC requests without follow-up) for clinical review and may recommend an in-person exam.
6. When teleconsult MCs are insufficient
Doctors will direct you to a physical clinic if:
- Symptoms suggest an emergency (chest pain, severe breathlessness, uncontrolled bleeding).
- A physical examination is essential (e.g., suspected fractures, ear infections requiring otoscopy).
- You require long-term leave for complex conditions. Extended MCs typically need face-to-face assessment.
Summary
Teleconsultation MCs are fully valid when they come from licensed doctors who follow MOH guidelines. Keep your DigiMC email handy, share the serial number with HR, and remind them that verification lives at mc.gov.sg. If they still have questions, connect them with our concierge for rapid confirmation.
