Episode 30 Federal Workers Compensation Coffee Break Podcast - Processing Claims for COVID-19 Diagnosed After January 27, 2023

Federal Workers Compensation Coffee Break

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 27 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.
Processing Claims for COVID-19 Diagnosed After January 27, 2023
Claims for COVID-19 diagnosed after January 27, 2023, will now require to be fully developed to establish the five basic elements for claims adjudication under the FECA:

a. The claim was filed within the time limits set by the FECA;
b. The injured worker was an employee within the meaning of the FECA;
c. The claimant provided evidence
1. Of a diagnosis of COVID-19, and
2. That establishes they actually experienced the event(s) or employment factor(s) alleged to have occurred.
d. The alleged event(s) or employment factor(s) occurred while the employee was in the performance of duty; and
e. The COVID-19 is found by a physician to be causally related to the established event(s) or employment factor(s) within the employee’s Federal employment.

1. Policy Applicability. A determination as to whether a claim based on a COVID-19 diagnosis is treated under the ARPA COVID-19 provisions will be based exclusively on the date of the positive COVID-19 test results.

2. Form. Claims for COVID-19 diagnosed after January 27, 2023 should generally be filed on Form CA-2. This is because in most cases there is no clear, identifiable incident or incidents over a single day or work shift to which the injured worker can specifically attribute the event alleged to have caused the diagnosed COVID-19. While OWCP had previously required these claims to be filed on Form CA-1, those circumstances have now passed, so this change is being made so that COVID-19 is treated similarly to other airborne infectious disease where the specific etiology is unclear.

Exception: Form CA-1 may be used only if the event alleged to have caused the diagnosed COVID-19 is identifiable as a single event or incident with identified time and place of occurrence.

If there is no clear, identifiable incident or incidents over a single day or shift to which the injured worker is attributing the diagnosis of COVID-19, Form CA-2 should be used. A positive Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) or Antigen COVID-19 test result is 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. So grab a cup of coffee and lets begin.
Dr. Taylor's contact information for more information or assistance is:
https://[e-mail]
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.