Federal Workers' Compensation Doctors Experienced Doctors That Treat Injured Federal Workers Under FECA
Hurt on the job as a federal employee? Find federal work comp experts near you — DOL-enrolled doctors who treat your injury, document it the way OWCP requires, and help your Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) claim move forward.
Key Takeaways
- A federal workers' compensation doctor is a DOL-enrolled provider who treats injured federal employees and supplies the medical evidence OWCP needs to approve a FECA claim.
- The Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) covers civilian federal employees injured on the job — not state workers' comp.
- You have the initial choice of your treating doctor — you don't have to see the "company doctor."
- For accepted claims, enrolled providers bill OWCP directly — you aren't billed and FECA has no copays or deductibles.
What Is a Federal Workers' Compensation Doctor?
A federal workers' compensation doctor is a physician or licensed provider enrolled with the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) who treats federal employees injured on the job. Beyond treating the injury, these federal work comp experts explain how it relates to your job duties, complete required OWCP reports, and bill OWCP directly.
A good federal workers' comp doctor understands how an injury connects to the movements and activities of your specific job — casing and carrying mail, lifting bags at a TSA checkpoint, patient handling at a VA hospital, or responding to incidents at a Bureau of Prisons facility. They also know the procedures that apply when a government employee is hurt at work, so the paperwork and the medical care work together instead of against each other.
What Is FECA? The Federal Employees' Compensation Act, Explained
The Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA), 5 U.S.C. § 8101 et seq., is the federal law that provides workers' compensation to civilian federal employees injured or made ill by their work. It is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor's OWCP through its Division of Federal Employees' Compensation (DFEC), not by state workers' comp systems.
Under FECA, an injured federal employee whose claim is accepted may be eligible for:
Medical care
Treatment, tests, therapy, surgery, prescriptions and supplies for the accepted condition.
Wage-loss compensation
Generally 66⅔% of pay, or 75% with one or more dependents, while you can't work.
Continuation of Pay (COP)
Up to 45 days of regular pay for traumatic injuries reported on a CA-1 within 30 days.
Schedule awards
Payment for permanent loss or loss of use of certain body parts, based on an impairment rating.
Vocational rehabilitation
Help returning to suitable work when you can't go back to your old job.
Survivor benefits
Compensation for eligible family members if a work injury results in death.
FECA is generally the exclusive remedy for federal employees injured at work — you can't sue the federal government for the injury itself, which makes the strength of your medical evidence even more important.
Federal Workmans Comp vs. State Workers' Comp
Many injured federal employees — and many doctors — assume federal workmans comp works like the state system. It doesn't. That's why seeing a doctor experienced with FECA matters.
| Federal workers' comp (FECA) | State workers' comp | |
|---|---|---|
| Who's covered | Civilian federal employees (USPS, VA, TSA, BOP, DoD civilians, etc.) | Private-sector and state/local employees |
| Administered by | U.S. Department of Labor — OWCP | Each state's workers' comp agency and private insurers |
| Governing law | Federal Employees' Compensation Act, 20 CFR Part 10 | State statutes (vary by state) |
| Choosing a doctor | Employee has the initial choice of a qualified physician | Varies — some states let the employer or insurer choose |
| Claim forms | CA-1, CA-2, CA-16, CA-17, CA-20, CA-7 (filed via ECOMP) | State-specific forms |
| Doctor billing | Enrolled providers bill OWCP; no copays or deductibles for accepted claims | Billed to the employer's insurer |
You Have the Right to Choose Your Treating Doctor
Did your employer tell you that you have the right to choose your own treating doctor? Under FECA, you are not obligated to see the "company doctor" for your work injury. You can choose an experienced federal workers' compensation doctor who puts your medical needs first and helps you get the care and benefits you deserve.
Choose carefully: after your initial choice, switching to a different treating physician generally requires OWCP's approval (20 CFR 10.316).
Find a DOL-Enrolled Doctor Near YouThe Benefits of an Experienced Federal Workers' Compensation Doctor
Your recovery comes first
Treatment is built around getting you healthy and safely back to work — not just closing a file.
Paperwork done right
Errors and missing reports are a common reason FECA claims stall. Experienced doctors submit complete, prompt documentation.
Clear answers
They explain your diagnosis, treatment options and claim status in plain language so you can make informed decisions.
Know the next step
From CA-16 authorizations to duty status reports and impairment ratings, they know what OWCP expects next.
How Doctors That Treat Injured Federal Workers Help Your Claim
- Explain causation. A well-reasoned medical opinion connecting your condition to your work duties is the core of an accepted claim.
- Treat what's covered. They help you understand which treatments OWCP authorizes for your accepted condition.
- Document your restrictions. CA-17 duty status reports and CA-20 attending physician's reports keep your agency and claims examiner informed.
- Support wage-loss claims. Medical evidence of disability supports CA-7 claims for lost wages.
- Plan your return to work. They coordinate light duty and recovery milestones with your agency.
- Rate permanent impairment. When you reach maximum medical improvement, impairment ratings support a schedule award.
Types of Federal Workmans Comp Doctors
FECA defines "physician" broadly. Depending on your injury, your federal workers' comp care team may include:
- Medical doctors (MD) & surgeons
- Osteopathic physicians (DO)
- Orthopedic specialists
- Pain management physicians
- Chiropractors*
- Podiatrists
- Clinical psychologists
- Physical therapists (on referral)
*FECA covers chiropractic treatment for manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation shown by X-ray.
Injured Federal Employees We Help
If you're an injured federal employee, our directory connects you with doctors that treat injured federal workers from every agency, including:
- USPS letter carriers & mail handlers
- VA nurses & staff
- TSA officers
- Bureau of Prisons officers
- DoD civilians
- CBP & ICE
- IRS
- SSA
- FBI
- USDA & Forest Service
- Federal firefighters
- & more
Find Federal Workers' Comp Doctors Near You
Our nationwide network of DOL-OWCP doctors includes federal work comp experts in these cities and states — and many more. View the full DOL doctor map.
Federal Workers' Compensation Doctor FAQs
What is a federal workers' compensation doctor?
A federal workers' compensation doctor is a physician or licensed provider enrolled with the Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) who treats federal employees injured on the job. They treat the injury, explain how it relates to your work duties, complete OWCP medical reports, and bill OWCP directly for accepted claims.
Can I see any doctor for a federal work injury?
You have the initial choice of a qualified physician under FECA, and you don't have to see a doctor your agency picks. For OWCP to pay the provider directly, the provider must be enrolled with OWCP. After your initial choice, changing treating physicians generally requires OWCP approval (20 CFR 10.316).
What does FECA stand for?
FECA stands for the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (5 U.S.C. 8101 et seq.), the law that provides workers' compensation benefits — medical care, wage-loss compensation, schedule awards, vocational rehabilitation and survivor benefits — to civilian federal employees injured or made ill by their work.
Is federal workers' comp the same as state workers' comp?
No. Federal employees are covered by FECA and the U.S. Department of Labor's OWCP, not by state workers' compensation systems. FECA has its own forms (CA-1, CA-2, CA-16, CA-17, CA-20, CA-7), rules and benefit rates, so it helps to see a doctor experienced with federal claims.
Do I pay anything to see a federal workers' comp doctor?
For accepted claims and authorized treatment, DOL-enrolled providers bill OWCP directly, so you are not billed directly and FECA has no copays or deductibles. If your claim is still pending or is denied, ask the provider about their billing policy before treatment. Using the Best DOL Doctors directory is free.
How much does FECA pay for lost wages?
FECA wage-loss compensation is generally 66⅔% of your pay, or 75% if you have one or more dependents. Traumatic injuries reported on a CA-1 within 30 days may also qualify for up to 45 days of Continuation of Pay at your regular salary.
What kinds of doctors treat injured federal workers?
Injured federal workers can be treated by medical doctors and surgeons, osteopathic physicians, orthopedic and pain management specialists, podiatrists, clinical psychologists and chiropractors (for spinal subluxation shown by X-ray), along with physical therapists on a physician's referral.
How do I find a federal workers' comp doctor near me?
Complete the free one-minute search form on this page. We'll connect you with DOL-enrolled federal workers' compensation doctors near you who are accepting new OWCP patients.
Find Experienced Federal Workers' Comp Doctors in Your Area
Fill out the free 1-minute search form and we'll connect you with a DOL-enrolled doctor near you who's ready to treat your injury and support your OWCP claim.
- Free for injured federal employees
- No out-of-pocket cost for accepted claims
- Doctors experienced with CA-1, CA-2, CA-16 & CA-20
- Your information stays private