CA16 PAYS YOUR BILLS FOR 60 DAYS
Too many federal employees go without a CA16 because they don’t realize how important it is for a new CA1 OWCP work injury claim. When you file a CA1 injury claim within 7 days of the injury date, you’re eligible to have all your work injury-related medical bills paid for by OWCP. That’s the purpose of the CA16. This form is your right as an injured federal employee.
Rules for CA16’s
20 CFR 10.300
What are the basic rules for authorizing emergency medical care?
(a) When an employee sustains a work-related traumatic injury that requires medical examination, medical treatment, or both, the employer shall authorize such examination and/or treatment by issuing a Form CA-16. This form may be used for occupational disease or illness only if the employer has obtained prior permission from OWCP.
(b) The employer shall issue Form CA-16 within four hours of the claimed injury. If the employer gives verbal authorization for such care, he or she should issue a Form CA-16 within 48 hours. The employer is not required to issue a Form CA-16 more than one week after the occurrence of the claimed injury. The employer may not authorize examination or medical or other treatment in any case that OWCP has disallowed.