Posts Tagged ‘6th edition ama guides’
Thursday, September 13th, 2012
Continued…
To understand the way the OWCP operates, you must first understand mechanism of injury, or causation.
For the purposes of the federal workers compensation system, there are two different types of cause; traumatic and occupational (Read about Traumatic here, Occupational here).
A traumatic injury occurs at a given time. For instance, an automobile accident. An occupational injury occurs due to a repetitive hazard or peril such as carpal tunnel syndrome or chemical inhalation.
Both are legitimate injury types and can be caused at the work place or while in the performance of duty. Federal employees are often exposed to these risks on a daily basis. CA-1 and CA-2 forms can be filed based on the type of injury that has occurred.
Once a claim form has been submitted to the agency, it must forward the claim information to the appropriate district office for adjudication. The case will be given a claim number and assigned to a claims examiner (CE). The claims examiner does not have formal legal or medical training. Rather, they work for the Department of Labor and spend the majority of their time looking over submitted evidence to determine whether a claim is legitimate, or not.
Like in any profession, there are some CE’s that are better than others. Essentially what they are looking for is the correct forms to be used by the claimant and for the supporting documentation from the treating physician to be thorough, clear, easy to understand to a lay person, and to clearly identify the cause of injury. Along with any diagnostic studies that could be provided, the CE will use that information to decide whether or not a claim should be opened for compensation, or closed due to lack of evidence.
That does not mean that the more information you send a claims examiner, the better. On the contrary, the CE has dozens, if not hundreds of files that they are responsible for. Your doctor needs to be clear and concise, yet build the cause of injury information and documentation from the ground up.
To be Continued…
Tags: 6th edition ama guides, causation report, federal comp doctor, federal doctor, federal workers comp doctor, federal workers compensation doctor, owcp doctor
Posted in Federal Doctors, Federal Workers Compensation | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 11th, 2012
Dr. Jennifer Johnson-Caldwell is helping federal employees in Houston, Texas. As a board certified specialist in Internal Medicine, Dr. Johnson-Caldwell has had passion for helping federal employees with work injuries for over 10 years.
Texas Wellness and Rehab, Dr. Johnson-Cladwell’s clinic, can help federal employees with ongoing OWCP claims get the diagnosis and treatment that they need to get well and return to their lives and work. She understands the federal workers compensation system and knows how to help with the appropriate paperwork as well as do 6th Edition impairment ratings in accordance with the federal guidelines.
Texas Wellness and Rehab has in house physical therapy and orthopedic specialists to assist as well. If you live in the Houston area, call or visit Dr. Johnson-Caldwell to start getting the treatment you deserve. The OWCP can be intimidating to many people who are unfamiliar with the federal workers comp system. But finding the right care provider can make all the difference.
Dr. Johnson-Caldwell is currently working on an updated website to better serve you and federal employees like you. Please call and check back with FedDoctor.com to learn more.
Tags: 6th edition ama guides, federal doctor, federal workers comp doctor, federal workers compensation doctor, houston, owcp doctor, texas
Posted in Federal Doctors, OWCP Doctors | No Comments »
Friday, August 17th, 2012
To continue our discussion about filing a new claim with the Office of Workers Compensation Programs, let’s look at the CA-2 form:
A CA-2 is a Notice of Occupational Disease form. These are used when your injury occurred over a period of time due to repetitive motion or exposure. A good example of an occupational injury is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or CTS.
Again, it is imperative that your doctor understand the importance of a good causation report. Any objective test findings should accompany his detailed narrative explaining the history of the injury. This is where having a physician that is familiar with the OWCP can really pay off.
Many doctors are never questioned on their opinions, but the federal workers compensation system is deferent. They make a habit of requiring doctors to go above and beyond their normal practice scope to prove that the injury occurred as a result of performing the federal service.
Using FedDoctor.com can be helpful when trying to locate a local doctor who understands what the OWCP is asking for. Federal doctors are hard to find, but having one can be the difference in your claim.
Tags: 6th edition ama guides, causation report, federal doctor, federal workers comp doctor, federal workers compensation doctor, owcp doctor, schedule award doctor
Posted in Federal Doctors, Federal Workers Compensation, OWCP Doctors | No Comments »
Thursday, August 16th, 2012
Many federal employees that are injured on the job are bombarded with federal claim forms. When filing for a new workers compensation claim, the most common are the CA-1 and CA-2.
The CA-1 is a new claim for traumatic injury. A traumatic injury is when something outside of the patient causes sudden injury. A good example would be twisting a knee while climbing steps, or slipping and falling on a sheet of ice while performing your job. Many traumatic injury are dismissed by the injured employee as minor. This can lead to problems down the road.
If the injured federal employee doesn’t seek medical care, it is hard to establish that the events at work are what actually caused the subsequent injuries. Always report injuries to supervisors and fill our incident reports whenever possible. If you do carry on with the day or even go home before realizing that the injury is severe, report how the event happened whenever you do make it to your doctor.
The OWCP wants for your care provider to explain to them how you were injured. the more detail you can provide the better. It also significantly helps if your doctor is familiar with federal workers compensation rules. Many doctors are familiar with state law workers comp, but few know the federal.
In order to have a good chance at an accepted OWCP claim, your doctor will need to provide the OWCP with documentation concerning his or her opinion regarding the events that caused the injury itself. It doesn’t matter if your knee was hurt previously, if your job made it worse, your doctor will need to outline how the incident on the job worsened your condition.
The more objective findings and diagnostic studies your physician can provide along with their detailed medical narrative and opinion, the higher your chances are of having an accepted federal workers compensation claim.
Use FedDoctor to find a local federal doctor to help you get treatment and documentation for your file.
To be continued…
Tags: 6th edition ama guides, causation report, federal doctor, federal workers comp doctor, federal workers compensation doctor, owcp doctor
Posted in Federal Doctors, Federal Workers Compensation, OWCP Doctors | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 5th, 2012
When a federal employee has a work related injury, the process of establishing the treating physician is very important.
The OWCP generally allows the injured worker to choose who they would like to treat with. The first visit to a health care facility does not automatically name your treating doctor as it may be and urgent care or emergency room visit. Usually, the second visit, or first “office” visit, will establish the doctor that the federal workers compensation office will recognize.
Once you begin your treatment, you will not be authorized to see any other doctors for that job related injury without a direct referral from your treating physician. Your doctor will have to refer you for diagnostics if they do not do them in house, or to another specialist if your conditions require specialized care.
You may request a change in treating physician from the OWCP. If you have a good reason for the change and at your claims examiner’s discretion, it may be authorized. If your treating doctor releases you, you may search for a new doctor and once you have seen that new physician, they are established as your new “treater.”
As you can see, it is imperative that you choose you new federal doctor wisely. With doctors across they country who take extra care to understand the OWCP, FedDoctor.com is here to help you make the right choice for your federal workers comp claim.
Start searching now to find a local doctor who understands the federal rules and regulations and can help you get treatment, evaluations, reports and documentation you need to start your recovery. No one asks to be hurt on the job, but you can make sure you get the treatment and benefits that you deserve.
Tags: 6th edition ama guides, federal doctor, federal workers comp doctor, federal workers compensation doctor, local doctor, owcp doctor, schedule award doctor
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Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012
Northern California, your wait is finally over!
Dr. Mark Bernhard, board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, is now a member of the FedDoctor community. Dr. Bernhard, who has been practicing medicine for over 30 years, focuses on helping patients who have been injured on the job. He functions as a Primary Treating Physician and his special interests are in the evaluation and treatment of the musculoskeletal system.
Federal workers compensation claims often require extra effort on the part of your physician and Dr. Bernhard has the knowledge and interest in helping you with your claim. Dr. Bernhard performs Impairment Ratings in accordance with the 6th Edition of the AMA Guides that will assist you in your claim for schedule award benefits from OWCP.
Contact Dr. Bernhard to begin receiving the treatment that you deserve for your OWCP claim. In addition to causual narratives and reports, Dr. Bernhard can provide many types of treatment, EMG/NCV diagnostics, x-rays, injections, prescription exercise plans and FCE (functional capacity evaluations).
Tags: 6th edition ama guides, causation report, federal doctor, federal workers comp doctor, federal workers compensation doctor, owcp doctor, schedule award doctor
Posted in Federal Doctors, OWCP Doctors | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 16th, 2012
Which form does what? Of course most federal employees are not familiar with OWCP forms because they’ve never had an on the job injury. But if you or someone you know does ever have an injury, you must know which forms do what!
Here is a quick and simple refreshment to help us all remember some of the most important forms involved with OWCP Federal Workers Compensation claims.
CA-1 Notice of Traumatic Injury and Claim for Continuance of Compensation
CA-2 Notice of Occupational Disease and Claim for Compensation
CA-2a Notice of Recurrence
CA-7 Claim for Compensation (leave without pay, leave buy back, other wages, schedule award)
CA-10 What a federal employee should do when injured at work
CA-17 Duty Status Report
CA-20 Attending Physician’s Report
OWCP-5a Work Capacity Evaluation Psychiatric/Psychological Conditions
OWCP-5b Work Capacity Evaluation Cardiovascular/Pulmonary Conditions
OWCP-5c Work Capacity Evaluation Musculoskeletal Conditions
OWCP-915 Claim for Medical Reimbursement
OWCP-957 Medical Travel Refund Request
There are many more forms that may be used during the course of a federal employees workers compensation claim and you can find the full list and links to these forms here.
If your doctor is not familiar with these forms, share this information with them. It is vitally important to all federal employees with ongoing OWCP workers compensation claims that their doctor understands how to help them keep their ligament claim alive! This again is why FedDoctor.com exists. To help connect injured federal employees with doctors who understand OWCP.
Tags: 6th edition ama guides, causation report, DOL doctors, DOL forms, federal attorney, federal comp doctor, federal doctor, federal employees, federal government, federal lawyer, federal workers comp attorney, federal workers comp doctor, federal workers compensation attorney, federal workers compensation doctor, federal workers compensation lawyer, local doctor, local orthopedic doctor, OPM, OWCP, owcp attorney, owcp doctor, OWCP forms, owcp reimbursement, postal doctor, schedule award, schedule award doctor, southern California workers comp doctor, workmans compensation doctor
Posted in Federal Doctors, Federal Workers Compensation, General, OWCP Doctors | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 9th, 2012
Great news for Southern California… Dr. Steven Meier at the Center for Progressive Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Surgery helps federal employees! FedDoctor.com is very proud to help connect injured federal employees with Dr. Steven Meier and his wonderful team.
Dr. Meier’s office is located on the famous Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills, California. His focus is on injures and he is dedicated to providing each patient with highest quality of care possible.
Dr. Meier is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and offers multiple treatment options including therapy, exercise programs, rehabilitation and minimally invasive surgical options. When surgery is necessary, the most current technologies are used which result in less postoperative pain and a faster recovery.
OWCP Federal Workers Compensation claimants are welcome! Dr. Meier has years of experience in helping individuals with work related injuries. He is also familiar with the AMA Guides 6th edition and can help you with your impairment rating examination for your OWCP schedule award.
Visit Dr. Meier’s website at www.ProgressiveSportsMedicine.com or contact his office directly at (310) 777-7845.
Tags: 6th edition ama guides, Beverly Hills Workers Compensation, California workers compensation, causation report, federal attorney, federal comp doctor, federal doctor, federal government, federal lawyer, federal workers comp attorney, federal workers comp doctor, federal workers compensation attorney, federal workers compensation doctor, local doctor, local orthopedic doctor, OPM, OWCP, owcp doctor, postal doctor, schedule award, schedule award doctor, southern California workers comp doctor, workmans compensation doctor
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Monday, April 30th, 2012
Dr. Adarmes and the whole team over at Arizona Injury Medical Associates are doing an outstanding job for Federal Employees. FedDoctor.com is very proud to help more Federal Employees connect with their office.
AIMA offers full service pain management, EMG and NCV Studies, second opinion consultations, disability evaluations and comprehensive medical case management.
AIMA also specializes in impairment ratings for all federal employees with OWCP claims from all around the country. The staff and doctors at Arizona Injury Medical Associates care about your physical and emotional well being. With their friendly staff and Double Board Certified Doctors who are experts in injured workers and personal injury victims, you will be in good hands.
Click Here to learn more about their office or go visit their brand new website at www.arizonaima.com!
Tags: 6th edition ama guides, causation report, federal comp doctor, federal doctor, federal government, federal workers comp doctor, federal workers compensation doctor, local doctor, OPM, OWCP, owcp doctor, postal doctor, schedule award, schedule award doctor
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Friday, April 27th, 2012
Dr. Les Benson has been treating and helping injured and disabled federal employees for several years. All federal employees in Texas need to become familiar with Dr. Benson and his excellent team. FedDoctor.com is very proud to help more federal employees connect with such a great doctor!
When you are an injured federal employee with an accepted OWCP claim, you know if can be very difficult to establish a treating physician. And it is almost impossible to find one that will “go to bat” for you against the OWCP. Dr. Benson understands this and can help you. Dr. Benson offers treatment, rehabilitation services, in-house physical therapy, disability and impairment rating examinations, and more.
Dr. Benson currently has offices in Temple, Waco, and Fort Worth.
Learn more about Dr. Benson and how he can help you!
Tags: 6th edition ama guides, causation report, federal comp doctor, federal doctor, federal government, federal workers comp doctor, local doctor, OPM, OWCP, owcp doctor, postal doctor, schedule award, schedule award doctor
Posted in Federal Doctors, OWCP Doctors | No Comments »
