Printing - FECA-PT2 - National Association of Letter Carriers

assess the claimant's environment and job situation in a personal visit.
e. Criteria for Referral. The best time for nurse intervention is from 45-90 days after the date
of injury.
(1) Traumatic injury cases should be referred to an OWCP RN, regardless of the time
elapsed since the injury, if:
(a) The medical evidence does not state a return to work date;
(b) The return to work date stated is not in keeping with the severity of the
original injury);
(c) The return to work date is extended without clear medical reasons; or
(d) The claimant is partially disabled but the file contains no description of work
limitations.
The RN may initiate the referral where she or he makes the return to work telephone call
(see paragraph 5b above).
(2) Occupational illness cases ordinarily require at least 90 days to adjudicate, which
places them outside the optimum time frame for nurse intervention. Therefore, they will
not routinely be referred for continuing assistance from an OWCP RN as described in
paragraph 5a(1) above. They may, however, be referred for advice and assistance with
specific issues. Referral for vocational rehabilitation services is more appropriate in most
occupational illness cases.
f. Communication Between the CE and RN.
(1) To refer the case, the CE should:
(a) Note on Form OWCP-57 the goals of the intervention (e.g., obtaining a
description of work limitations from the attending physician); the issues which the
RN should address with the physician; and any pending adjudicatory actions (e.g.,
an imminent second opinion referral);
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