OWCP Blog
How to Find an OWCP Doctor Near You in NYC
If you are a federal employee injured on the job, finding the right doctor is the single most important decision you will make for your claim. Not every doctor understands OWCP. Here is how to find one who does, and why it matters.
What Makes a Doctor 'OWCP Credentialed'
OWCP credentialed means the physician is authorized by the U.S. Department of Labor to evaluate and treat federal employees under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA). These doctors understand the specific documentation OWCP reviewers require.
- ✓Causal relationship statements linking your injury to your job duties
- ✓Functional capacity reports that quantify your restrictions with specific numbers
- ✓Diagnostic narratives that support medical necessity for every treatment
- ✓CA-17 duty status reports your agency needs to assign modified duty
- ✓CA-20 attending physician reports that keep your claim moving
A doctor without OWCP experience can write an accurate medical note that still gets your claim denied. The difference is not medical skill. The difference is knowing what the Department of Labor needs to see on paper.
Why Location Matters for OWCP Care
OWCP treatment often requires multiple visits over weeks or months: initial evaluation, imaging, physical therapy, follow-up exams, and progress reports. A doctor across the city adds hours of travel to every appointment, which means missed work time and the temptation to skip visits.
Skipped visits create gaps in your medical record that OWCP examiners use to question your claim. Choose a provider close to your workplace or your home.
You Do Not Need a Referral
Under FECA, federal employees have the right to choose their own treating physician. You do not need a referral from your supervisor, your agency's HR department, or another doctor. You can call an OWCP credentialed practice directly.
Your employer should issue a CA-16 authorization form within 4 hours of a traumatic injury, covering your initial medical visit at no cost. If your supervisor does not provide one, file your CA-1 anyway and contact us.
4What to Look for When Choosing an OWCP Doctor
- 1OWCP experience: Ask how many federal workers' comp cases they handle per month. General practice is not enough.
- 2High claim acceptance rate: A 99% rate means the practice knows how to document cases the way OWCP reviewers expect.
- 3Free claims assistance: Filing CA-1, CA-2, CA-7, CA-16, CA-17, and CA-20 forms correctly is half the battle.
- 4Direct billing to DOL: You should never pay out of pocket for approved OWCP care. If a doctor asks for your insurance card, they are not set up for federal billing.
- 5A named physician on your reports: Department of Labor reviewers give more weight to reports signed by a named, board-certified specialist than to generic clinic notes.
Our Three NYC-Area Offices
- ✓Manhattan: 7 W 45th St, Floor 9, New York, NY 10036. Call (212) 867-1111. Accessible from every major subway line.
- ✓Brooklyn: 640 Parkside Ave, Suite 201, Brooklyn, NY 11226. Call (718) 587-1889. Near the B/Q at Parkside Avenue station.
- ✓Woodbury (Long Island): 99 Sunnyside Blvd Ext, Suite 102, Woodbury, NY 11797. Call (516) 496-4444. Serves Nassau and western Suffolk County.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see any doctor for an OWCP claim?
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Technically yes, but not every doctor knows how to document for OWCP. An OWCP credentialed doctor writes reports in the format the Department of Labor requires. Using an inexperienced provider is the most common reason claims get denied or delayed.
Do I have to see the doctor my employer recommends?
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No. Under FECA, you have the right to choose your own physician. Your employer cannot require you to see a specific doctor. You can change physicians at any time by filing a change-of-physician request.
What if there is no OWCP doctor near me?
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Our three offices cover the entire New York City metro area. If you are anywhere in the five boroughs, Nassau County, or western Suffolk County, one of our offices is within commuting distance.
Related Resources
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