OWCP 2025 Impairment Rating for Schedule Awards Shocking Reversal

OWCP reversed course on that new announcement literally two weeks later with no real explanation why they reversed course. On January 10, 2025, the Division of Federal Employees' Compensation (DFEC) announced significant updates to the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) Procedure Manual, specifically Chapter 2-0808, addressing schedule awards and permanent disability claims. These updates, outlined in FECA Transmittal 25-03, introduce changes aimed at enhancing fairness and efficiency in the claims process. 

FECA bulletin 25-03 was great new changes and I was excited about them…and OWCP killed it and withdrew it two weeks later…. So let’s read the new OWCP bulletin on impairment ratings announcement. 

RELEASE – REVISION TO FECA PROCEDURE MANUAL

CHAPTER: 2-0808, Schedule Awards and Permanent Disability Claims

FECA TRANSMITTAL NO. 25-04 - February 10, 2025

Upon further review, it has been determined that to ensure all claims are treated fairly and consistently, a single version of the Guides should be used. Accordingly, DFEC is hereby revoking FECA Transmittal 25-03 and reinstating its procedures in effect prior to January 10, 2025.

 Effective the date of this transmittal, Form CA-7, Claim for Compensation, should again be used to file claims for schedule awards under the FECA.

 All schedule award claims, including those submitted with a CA-9 since January 10, 2025 in which an award has not yet been issued, will be processed under the procedures effective with this transmittal. Any claim filed in the Employees' Compensation and Operations Portal (ECOMP) that has not yet been submitted to OWCP will be cancelled so that a CA-7 can be filed. For more info here is the link for the new FECA bulletin 25-04: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/owcp/FECA/regs/compliance/DFECfolio/FECATransmittals#FECAT2504

The podcast Dr. Taylor’s contact information is:

https://fedcompconsultants@protonmail.com If you need a medical provider or assistance with an OWCP /  DOL claim in Tampa, Pensacola Florida or Mobile Alabama    you can make an appointment to see Dr. Taylor, or Dr. Sullivan   at the clinic at  FWC Medical Centers. To make a consultation with Dr. Taylor  call the clinic at 813-215-4356 or go  to our website at https://mrtherapycenter.com/or https://fedcompconsultants.com/

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Transcript

Welcome to another season of Federal Workers Compensation Coffee break Podcast. I am your host Dr. Taylor. For those of you who are new to the podcast …I am an OWCP consultant who has been assisting and working with clients for over 30 years in the work comp arena. I decided a few years ago to start giving back to government workers and other doctors by doing a free podcast to  assist with all types of government related healthcare filings.

Here at this podcast we discuss all sorts of topics related to federal  workers compensation, Department of Labor, OWCP, FECA ACT, FERS, longshore-maritime, DOD contractors, VA benefits. I cover these relevant topics in a short coffee break style format because we like to discuss topics that are related to helping you the government employee with filing your claim, understanding your rights and responsibilities, relevant rules and provisions. 

We also received an award from FEEDSpot as a top ten National Workers Compensation Podcast. That was nice and a little surprising as well. I know this is a niche podcast for a very specific group of people such as OWCP reps, Union Stewards, Attorneys, Medical Providers and injured workers.  I thought that was a nice complement and award. Most people that do these types of podcasts do it as a marketing tool to drive traffic to their clinics etc.  I do this for free as a resource tool for people that want to help injured federal workers around the country and world. I never expected to have thousands of downloads and a worldwide following. That makes me feel good that my idea of giving away all this information in a teaching style podcast to assist others… is appreciated. Now saying that I have a little bone to pick with the audience today. I was checking the statistics from the last few podcast on the WAR Hazard compensation act. I am going to read you some statistics from after the podcast…

I had 185 people download the episode from Ukraine …Ok, Then I saw downloads in France, Germany, Japan, Australia, United Kingdom, Czechoslovakia, US etc… you get my meaning.  And there are downloads in 41 states that listen to those episodes. So, I know there are a lot of people, soldiers, contractors and civil service personnel out there listening. The only thing I ask for… here at the podcast is that if you find this information to be helpful ….PLEASE leave a review, share the podcast with others and maybe send me an email to let me know that you benefitted from this free information. After thousands of downloads and several years of doing this podcast ..I have hundreds of emails …and like 3 reviews. So, come on gang …I do this for free for you …I know your out there listening… please leave a review out there where you found the podcast …so others can find me easier on the internet. That is one way to show gratitude… if you benefitted from this information. I would greatly appreciate it. 

OK…lets get to today’s topic. First, I want to thank Union Steward and OWCP rep Nicholas for reaching out to me in an email …on updating this incredible news on Impairment Ratings. I appreciated the update email from Nickolas so… here is a hat tip to you Nick… BUT …Today the  information that Nicholas sent to me was  shocking and very disappointing news. I cannot believe what OWCP did 4 days ago. 

Now let’s get our coffee started and get to this shocking news! READY lets get to it….OK…

First, a couple of weeks ago we did a podcast on the new Impairment Rating system changes and a newly developed CA-9 form. Well, hold on …OWCP reversed course on that new announcement literally two weeks later with no real explanation why they reversed course. On January 10, 2025, the Division of Federal Employees' Compensation (DFEC) announced significant updates to the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) Procedure Manual, specifically Chapter 2-0808, addressing schedule awards and permanent disability claims. These updates, outlined in FECA Transmittal 25-03, introduce changes aimed at enhancing fairness and efficiency in the claims process. Here, we break down the key aspects of these changes and explain how they benefit injured federal workers.

 Key Changes to the OWCP Schedule Award Process

1. Introduction of Form CA-9

   - The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) has introduced Form CA-9, which must now be used to file for schedule awards. Form CA-7 will no longer be accepted for this purpose and will remain dedicated solely to filing for disability compensation.

   - This streamlined approach ensures clarity and precision in the schedule award claims process.

2. Flexibility in AMA Guides

   - OWCP now permits the use of either the Fifth Edition or the Sixth Edition of the *American Medical Association's (AMA) Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment* for impairment ratings.

   - Injured workers and their physicians can choose the edition that most accurately reflects the worker’s impairment, promoting individualized evaluations.

All of that was great new changes and I was excited about them…and OWCP killed it and withdrew it two weeks later…. So let’s read the new OWCP bulletin on impairment ratings announcement. 

RELEASE – REVISION TO FECA PROCEDURE MANUAL

CHAPTER: 2-0808, Schedule Awards and Permanent Disability Claims

FECA TRANSMITTAL NO. 25-04

February 10, 2025

EXPLANATION OF MATERIAL TRANSMITTED:

The Division of Federal Employees' Compensation (DFEC), with this issuance, announces a revision to Procedure Manual Chapter 2-0808 pertaining to schedule awards and permanent disability claims. Under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA), permanent impairment to certain parts of the body will entitle a claimant to an award of compensation payable for a set number of weeks.

Under the regulations at 20 C.F.R. § 10.404, the evaluations of the degree of impairment under the FECA is made in accordance with the edition of the American Medical Association's (AMA) Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (Guides) specified by the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP). OWCP has historically utilized the most recent edition of the Guides in calculation of a permanent impairment when determining a percentage loss or loss of use of a scheduled member, having found that the most recent edition reflects current scientific medical thinking on rating impairments.

On January 7, 2025, DFEC issued FECA Transmittal 25-03, which fully revised schedule award procedures to permit the use of either the Fifth or Sixth Editions of the Guides in calculating impairment for schedule award purposes under the FECA. It further created a new form, CA-9 Claim for Schedule Award, to align with these new procedures. Changes were made effective January 10, 2025.

Upon further review, it has been determined that to ensure all claims are treated fairly and consistently, a single version of the Guides should be used. Accordingly, DFEC is hereby revoking FECA Transmittal 25-03 and reinstating its procedures in effect prior to January 10, 2025.

Effective the date of this transmittal, Form CA-7, Claim for Compensation, should again be used to file claims for schedule awards under the FECA.

All schedule award claims, including those submitted with a CA-9 since January 10, 2025 in which an award has not yet been issued, will be processed under the procedures effective with this transmittal. Any claim filed in the Employees' Compensation and Operations Portal (ECOMP) that has not yet been submitted to OWCP will be cancelled so that a CA-7 can be filed.

So… that means we now go back 100% to the old system. 6th edition guidelines are reinstated as the guides for evaluation of impairment ratings for scheduled awards. The CA-7 is back as the OWCP form for filing schedule award form to submit with the impairment rating for your settlement benefits. I hate this …but OWCP has spoken and as usual it is not good for you and I. So, now you know… forget everything they did two weeks ago. 

Well that does it for this episode of Federal Workers Comp Coffee break  Podcast 

I want to thank you for listening and want to remind you to share this podcast with other federal workers you think would benefit from this information. Also be kind enough to leave a review on the platform you found this podcast, like or subscribe to any of the major podcast platforms or our youtube channel so others will also find this information. Also if you need an approved  medical provider for your DOL -OWCP Or Longshore case in Florida you can still  find me in Tampa   and Pensacola. To make a consultation with me to discuss your case or if you know someone if Florida who is recently injured you can call the clinic at 813-215-4356 or 813-877-6900 or go  to our website at https://fedcompconsultants.com/   & https://mrtherapycenter.com/  Also if you are in  another state and you want me to assist you with claim questions or assistance for your  doctor you can email me at fedcompconsultants@protonmail.com or send me a message on the website at fedcompconsultants.com

I need to warm up this coffee and get going. As usual I want to thank all of you who put on that uniform, that badge, deliver that mail, take care of our veterans and make this government run… a big thank you. I do this for free just for you…We could not do this  without all of the work all of you out there do…so a big thank you. And remember if you

 have an injured federal claim and you need assistance….I am  here to help!.

See you next time.

Off to get my coffee!