Legal Question in Employment Law in Michigan

I have been on short term disability. My Doctor has put me off work due to Multiple Disc Bulges in my back. I have tried to return to work but he advises against it.

I have given my employer all the necessary paperwork to show why I am off. My Doctor informed me that my Employer contacted him to inform him that my Sick & Accident pay check would soon be expiring. He stated that they were trying to get him to disclose some Medical Information to them. He declined because he did not know if they were who they said they were. He also did not feel that he needed to know that.

I signed a form that states: "My signature below gives AUTHORIZATION TO RELEASE AND PROVIDE ALL NECESSARY INFORMATION" to Place of Employment's Human Resource, Attorneys and Independent Claim Administrators and will hold them harmless in regards to the evaluation, administration and payment of claims under my benefits by Union Contract or Group Handbook".

My questions is were they justified in disclosing to my Doctor my financial situation? Were they within the law in disclosing that my Disability Checks would soon stop coming? The person that called is a Director over our Health Office. A fellow employee stated to me that this may be a violation of Patient Privacy Act or HIPPA because this person has no authority over the issuing of Disability Checks.

Do you think this is a case?

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