I do not know the state level sensitivities on this issue. I have had an attorney reviewed policy in the 5th and 8th circuits saying that if you miss work for any sort of unplanned health care, then you must have a return to work authorization from a health care provider before returning to work. The point was to reduce potential for WC claims from employees returning to work prematurely and reduce potential for the spread of disease from employees returning to work before they were no longer contagious. People need to earn their money and I'm sympathetic to that but the policy was created to protect the Company and other employees' health.
EDIT: definitely be sure you are sensitive to the potential FMLA/ADA issues here.