Federal Workers Compensation Coffee Break Dr. Taylor

Federal Workers Compensation Coffee Break Podcast is about all things related to Federal Workers Compensation, FECA, OWCP, DOL & Longshore claim filing as an injured federal worker.  The podcast is an educational and informative training on how to navigate the DOL -OWCP claims filing process for all types of injured US government and federal workers. The podcaster has 28 years in assisting with federal workers compensation as a consultant and trainer. The podcast is free and is educational. If you need help with anything related to a federal workers compensation claim...help is just a cup of coffee away.

                                                                 FECA Bulletin 23-03

         OWCP expands period for submitting evidence in initial claims to 60 days

The Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)  law has some legislated changes that affect OWCP & DOL. Under Section 5305(c) of the Act, effective March 7, 2023, injured federal workers covered by the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) will now have 60 days to supply evidence in support of an initial claim. Specifically, the legislation directed the secretary of labor to  amend the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) regulations at 20 CFR 10.121 to increase the minimum time to submit supporting documentation on an initial claim from 30 to 60 days, and 2) modify the FECA procedure manual to do the same. OWCP has explained the revised regulations and changes in FECA Bulletin 23-03 that it issued on Jan. 9 of this year. 
The FECA Bulletin basically says “Claimants should be aware that the expanded 60-day time frame applies only to the initial adjudication of a claim.”

The Department of Labor published a final rule in the Federal Register which became effective on March 7, 2023) amending 20 CFR 10.121 to read:
If the claimant submits factual evidence, medical evidence, or both, but OWCP determines that this evidence is not sufficient to meet the burden of proof, OWCP will inform the claimant of the additional evidence needed. You the claimant will be allowed at least 60 days to submit the evidence required.

Dr. Taylor's educational podcast utilizes his experience and history as a DOL - OWCP provider and his years of consulting and teaching all things federal workers compensation related. This is an educational short form format for learning how to successfully file federal workers compensation claims.
Dr. Taylor’s contact information for more information or assistance is:
https://fedcompconsultants@protonmail.com
If you need a provider or assistance with a DOL claim in Tampa Florida or in Oklahoma you can make an appointment to see him and the other providers at the clinic at 813-877-6900  in Florida or 844-625-5300 in Oklahoma City in Oklahoma. 

Federal Workers Compensation Coffee Break Podcast is about all things related to Federal Workers Compensation, FECA, OWCP, DOL & Longshore claim filing as an injured federal worker.  The podcast is an educational and informative training on how to navigate the DOL -OWCP claims filing process for all types of injured US government and federal workers. The podcaster has 28 years in assisting with federal workers compensation as a consultant and trainer. The podcast is free and is educational. If you need help with anything related to a federal workers compensation claim...help is just a cup of coffee away.
                                                             OWCP Contract Nurses
OWCP utilizes contracted nursing services in order to facilitate an injured worker’s claim. OWCP nurse intervention program and other programs available are utilized  by OWCP claims examiners to improve case management and/or reducing costs. The nurse intervention program provides a nurse to work directly with the employee with the intent of helping that employee return to the work environment as soon as possible. They are generally assigned for 120 days, but may be extended for longer periods if warranted. The nurses can fulfill different roles including:
 Making assessments of the initial extent of the injury;
Coordinating treatment necessary for recovery;
Communicating return-to-work expectations;
OWCP nurses may be identified by the titles of “COP Nurse“, “Field Nurse“, or “Nurse Case Manager”. The use of a contracted nursing by OWCP service is permitted by 20 CFR 10.310(a). OWCP has published a Field Nurse Handbook (FNHB) describing the roles and responsibilities of the assigned contract nurses. OWCP has separate guidelines for COP Nurses (during the initial Continuation of Pay period) and Field Nurses.

Link to the Field Nurse Handbook website:
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/owcp/FECA/regs/compliance/DFECfolio/FNHB-PT1
Nurse Case Managers can be helpful or a hindrance with your injury claim. Federal employees can elect whether to work with a Nurse Case Manager but be ready for potential retaliation and difficulties if you refuse to work with the nurse case managers. Federal employees have the sole right to select whether they want the nurse to be at their appointments with their treating physician. Federal employees can elect on whether to allow a Nurse Case Manager to be present during their physician visit or to talk to their physician after their visit. Federal employee’s treating physician can ALSO chose  whether or not to talk with a Nurse Case Manager or to allow them into their office.

Dr. Taylor’s contact information for more information or assistance is:
https://fedcompconsultants@protonmail.com
If you need a provider or assistance with a DOL claim in Tampa Florida or in Oklahoma you can make an appointment to see him and the other providers at the clinic at 813-877-6900  in Florida or 844-625-5300 in Oklahoma City in Oklahoma. 

Federal Workers Compensation Coffee Break Podcast is about all things related to Federal Workers Compensation, FECA, OWCP, DOL & Longshore claim filing as an injured federal worker.  The podcast is an educational and informative training on how to navigate the DOL -OWCP claims filing process for all types of injured US government and federal workers. The podcaster has 28 years in assisting with federal workers compensation as a consultant and trainer. The podcast is free and is educational. If you need help with anything related to a federal workers compensation claim...help is just a cup of coffee away.
OPM Disability Retirement is a benefit granted to all Federal Employees who meet the criteria of "Disability". By "Disability", however, it does not mean that you must be completely physically incapacitated or disabled either; rather, it simply requires that you demonstrate by examination and history that you are no longer able to provide effective service in the essential elements of your job. Notice how by that standard definition, you do not need to be "totally disabled" in order to be eligible for Federal or Postal disability Retirement under FERS or CSRS. The Office of Personnel Management of your employer reviews all applications for Federal Disability Retirement. It is a benefit which should be looked at as an entitlement and an investment. FERS Provides Early Retirement for both Medical and/or Psychological Conditions. Many people do not understand that and do not know their own rights.
OK…listen up who qualifies for Medical Disability Retirement!
You cannot continue to do the work for which you were hired …not that you can not work but that you can not work at the position or an equivalent position for which you were hired.
Cannot perform any gainful employment 
The disability must be expected to last at least one year. 
Easier and fairer qualification criteria than Social Security Disability 
Requires a physician's medical opinion, following OPM rules
                                                      FERS Eligibility Requirements
You must meet all of the following conditions to be eligible for disability retirement:
You must have completed at least 18 months of Federal civilian service which is creditable under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
You must, while employed in a position subject to the retirement system, have become disabled, because of disease or injury, for useful and efficient service in your current position.
The disability must be expected to last at least one year.
Dr. Taylor’s educational podcast utilizes his experience and history as a DOL – OWCP provider and his years of consulting and teaching all things federal workers compensation related. This is an educational short form format for learning how to successfully file federal workers compensation claims. So grab a cup of coffee and lets begin.
Dr. Taylor’s contact information for more information or assistance is:
https://fedcompconsultants@protonmail.com
If you need a provider or assistance with a DOL claim in Tampa Florida or in Oklahoma you can make an appointment to see him and the other providers at the clinic at 813-877-6900  in Florida or 844-625-5300 in Oklahoma City in Oklahoma. 

Federal Workers Compensation Coffee Break Podcast is about all things related to Federal Workers Compensation, FECA, OWCP, DOL & Longshore claim filing as an injured federal worker.  The podcast is an educational and informative training on how to navigate the DOL -OWCP claims filing process for all types of injured US government and federal workers. The podcaster has 28 years in assisting with federal workers compensation as a consultant and trainer. The podcast is free and is educational. If you need help with anything related to a federal workers compensation claim...help is just a cup of coffee away.
                      
                   What earnings  information must a government employee report?
An employee who is receiving compensation for partial or total disability must advise OWCP immediately of any  outside employment, outside income (no matter how small)  including any concurrent dissimilar employment held at the time of injury, even if the injury did not result in any lost time in that position.
The employee must report even those earnings which do not seem likely to affect his or her level of benefits. Many kinds of income, though not all, will result in reduction of compensation benefits. While earning income will not necessarily result in a reduction of compensation, failure to report income may result in forfeiture of all benefits paid during the reporting period.
There are two primary ways an injured worker will be asked to report: on OWCP forms CA-7 and EN-1032.
Section 3 of the CA-7 states: You must report all earnings from employment (outside your federal job); include any employment for which you received a salary, wages, income, sales commissions, piece- work, or payment of any kind during the period(s) claimed in Section 2. Include self-employment, involvement in business enterprises, as well as service with the military forces. Fraudulent concealment of employment or failure to report income may result in forfeiture of compensation benefits and/or criminal prosecution. 
Dr. Taylor’s educational podcast utilizes his experience and history as a DOL – OWCP provider and his years of consulting and teaching all things federal workers compensation related. This is an educational short form format for learning how to successfully file federal workers compensation claims. So grab a cup of coffee and lets begin.
Dr. Taylor’s contact information for more information or assistance is:
https://fedcompconsultants@protonmail.com
If you need a provider or assistance with a DOL claim in Tampa, Jacksonville or other areas of Florida you can make an appointment to see him and the other providers at the clinic at 813-877-6900 .

Federal Workers Compensation Coffee Break Podcast is about all things related to Federal Workers Compensation, FECA, OWCP, DOL & Longshore claim filing as an injured federal worker.  The podcast is an educational and informative training on how to navigate the DOL -OWCP claims filing process for all types of injured US government and federal workers. The podcaster has 28 years in assisting with federal workers compensation as a consultant and trainer. The podcast is free and is educational. If you need help with anything related to a federal workers compensation claim...help is just a cup of coffee away.

         Explaining Common Questions on Rights, Rules, Laws & Regulations
                         How and when is a notice of traumatic injury filed?
(a)  For injuries sustained on or after September 7, 1974, a notice of injury must be filed within three years of the injury.(The form contains the necessary words of claim.) The requirements for filing notice are further described in 5 U.S.C. 8119. 
(b)  Another section covers timely filing as well at  § 10.205 addressing time requirements for filing claims for continuation of pay.
(1) If the claim is not filed within three years, compensation may still be allowed if notice of injury was given within 30 days or the employer had actual knowledge of the injury or death within 30 days after occurrence. This knowledge may consist of written records or verbal
                                     You Have The Right to Choose Your Own Doctor
The employer should advise the employee of the right to his or her initial choice of physician. The employer shall allow the employee to select a qualified physician, 
                      Your EA has 5 days to submit your CA7 to OWCP-DOL
 What should the employer do when an employee files an initial claim for compensation due to disability or permanent impairment?
Upon receipt of Form CA-7 from the employee, or someone acting on his or her behalf, the employer shall complete the appropriate portions of the form. As soon as possible, but no more than five working days after receipt from the employee, the employer shall forward the completed Form CA-7 and any accompanying medical report to OWCP.... more on the episode!

Dr. Taylor’s educational podcast utilizes his experience and history as a DOL – OWCP provider and his years of consulting and teaching all things federal workers compensation related. This is an educational short form format for learning how to successfully file federal workers compensation claims. So grab a cup of coffee and lets begin.
Dr. Taylor’s contact information for more information or assistance is:
https://fedcompconsultants@protonmail.com
If you need a provider or assistance with a DOL claim in Tampa, Jacksonville or other areas of Florida you can make an appointment to see him and the other providers at his clinic at 813-877-6900.

Federal Workers Compensation Coffee Break Podcast is about all things related to Federal Workers Compensation, FECA, OWCP, DOL & Longshore claim filing as an injured federal worker.  The podcast is an educational and informative training on how to navigate the DOL -OWCP claims filing process for all types of injured US government and federal workers. The podcaster has 28 years in assisting with federal workers compensation as a consultant and trainer. The podcast is free and is educational. If you need help with anything related to a federal workers compensation claim...help is just a cup of coffee away.
How to meet 5th element causality requirements in  OWCP DOL new case filing!
Causal Relationship: General
For filing a workers’ compensation claim, the burden of proof is on the injured worker. Therefore, it is the injured worker’s responsibility to show a causal relationship between their  disability and an on-the-job injury, or their claimed occupational disease and conditions/factors  of employment.
To qualify for workers’ compensation, the employee must be covered under the FECA act; there must be an injury or disease claimed to be related to employment; the employee must make a timely filing of the claim within the provisions of FECA; the injury or disease must be the result of activity in the performance of duty; and the employee’s injury or disease must have been proximately caused by, or aggravated by, a work-related injury or by employment conditions, ie., there must be a causal relationship.
There are two kinds of evidence under FECA: factual, which refers to evidence submitted by the employee; and medical, which refers to evidence submitted by physicians.
In addition to factual evidence, reliable and substantial medical evidence which establishes an accurate history of injury in traumatic injury claims, or an accurate description of working conditions in occupational illness claims must be submitted in order to establish a causal relationship. This medical information must be provided by a qualified physician.  The employee must first write a statement describing the work-related injury or work-related illness, the conditions of employment, including daily on-the-job activities, and how the employee believes specific work activities and conditions caused his or her injury or illness. This statement must go into specific detail of work activities & conditions relevant to the claimed injury or disease to decide a claim. 
Dr. Taylor’s educational podcast utilizes his experience and history as a DOL – OWCP provider and his years of consulting and teaching all things federal workers compensation related. This is an educational short form format for learning how to successfully file federal workers compensation claims. So grab a cup of coffee and lets begin.
Dr. Taylor’s contact information for more information or assistance is:
https://fedcompconsultants@protonmail.com
If you need a provider or assistance with a DOL claim in Tampa, Jacksonville or other areas of Florida you can make an appointment to see him and the other providers at his clinic at 813-877-6900.