yawnee55-
I would call ACS and ask.

I am trying to find a new doctor of record. My injury was in 1995, back surgery in 2001, back to work in 2002, 8 hrs as modified letter carrier and MMI in 2003. I hadn't been back to the doctor since I was at MMI and there was no need for updated medical restrictions according to my doctor and boss. The doctor will no longer see me because my case is too old and I can not find a doctor that will take my case. There have been changes in my job - was chosen for a EAS17 delivery supervisor then they took it away due to no ASP program. I was sent back to my home office as modified city carrier. I am working as a clerk for about 2 hours in the morning and casing mail in the afternoon. This is agravating my injuries and I need a doc desperately. Looked on the ACS website for a doc in Ohio but no one will take my case. Any suggestions?

MK Erwin-
If your current work is aggravating your injury then you have a NEW injury. I would file a new CA-1 or CA-2 according to your situation. I do not know where you are located but the Ellis Clinic in Oklahoma City is purported to be the best. If you cannot find a comp doctor in your area, then you can get permission to travel out of state. I think Eliis Clinic may handle the authorization. http://www.ellisclinic.com/

I am in ohio and was looking at the ellis clinic website. before i was detailed as a supervisor, i did not case or carry mail. the district manager is now saying that i can do these things according to my resrictions. i have a percentage of loss in 1 arm and have no relexes in 1 of my ankles. OWCP told me to find anew doctor of recordfrom the ACS website but all that I have called will not see me because the claim is too old. I'm not sure if they would pay for me to go to Oklahoma to get evaluated. I have been with the postal service for 22+ years. I also know ofafew other people that they are sending back to their home offices that have been injured on duty. I also think that they are trying to push us out. In my opinion, they are wanting us to retire on disability but I believe that they are disciminating against us due to our disability. I involved in a hit and run. The person that hit me flipped my mail van over and I was hanging upside down by my seatbelt (which saved my life). My neck and back were really messed up. I am fused at 3 levels in my lower back. Should I contact the Ellis Clinic to see if they know of anyone that will take my case in Ohio? Any information will be helpful. Thanks.

Edited by author 10-25-2009 08:50 PM
MK Erwin-
You are right, they are trying to get rid of all limited and light duty employees. Yes it is discrimination but it is a long uphill fight.

I don't know if Ellis Clinic has a list of other comp doctors. They may have some due to the fact that they have trained other doctors to handle comp injuries.

To get new medical restrictions on your old claim you will likely have to file a recurrence claim. It is always recommended that you see a doctor for a chronic comp injury at least once a year to keep file updated and active.

If your new duties aggravate your condition then you have a new injury or occupational disease(most likely occupational disease.) I would not file a recurrence claim because you will likely get denied(because of current work aggravation.) It will be more advantageous for you to file a new claim anyway.

What can it hurt to call Ellis?

n HEY WHERE IS ALL THE OVERTIME WHAT CITY IF ANY

Anyone affected by the NRP have you filed an unfair labor practice for not following the contract?

Rick,
Long time since I've posted (over a year). Glad to see you are still here. Your advice helped me through some really rough times with OWCP. After being on it for 3+ years, the PO finally offered a job that the CE deemed suitable and after my refusal claiming it was not suitable they sent me a 15 day letter. I decided to decline and opted to make my diability retirement effective. They sent me notification that my compensation was permanently terminated. Everything I've read, and been told states that although my salary compensation was stopped that OWCP is still responsible for medical/pharmacy treatment of my permanent disability. My CE closed my case out completely leaving me with no medical/pharmacy benefits. She claims I should still have them but does not know why it was denied. The pharmacy resolution dept says it is because of her and the code she used to close the case saying that there is no injury residuals. I have been without my meds for several days and seem to be getting no where. Just passed back and forth. Do you know where to find the closing codes?? My understanding is the only way they can refuse to pay for future treatment is if there is no injury/disability left. What info can you lead me to or advise on this matter???? All help is welcome.
Dee3

Hi Dee3 - still here. Don't know what happened...I posted once and it did not go through...if this posts twice please forgive.

I ran your situation by a knowledgeable contact of mine (certainly not me) and this following is what he said:

(quote)
This injured worker raised a very interesting issue. There is a clear distinction between injury ceased and continued residual as a result of the accepted work condition.

When an injured worker elects to receive OPM disability in lieu of OWCP benefit, the case record should remain MC (open for medical benefit). The injured worker's case record should not be closed. The claims examiner may have used C5 or C3 to close the record thereby depriving the injured worker medical benefits. To close a claim, the injured worker must be given due process.

The injured worker needs to petition immediately to OWCP using the above cited reasons and request proper coding of the case record. I hope this helps.
(end quote)

So, send your request to your CE asking him/her to recode your case record in the manner that will afford you all medical benefits that you are entitled to (see above). Send your letter via certified mail return receipt requested. Purchase your certified sticker(s) and receipt BEFORE typing your letter so that you can insert your certified number in the heading of your letter - KEEP A COPY for your file.

Your letter heading should include your CE's name and address, your name and OWCP claim number, and just below this write:

USPS CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
(enter your certified number here)

Good Luck!

Rick

Rick..

Is it possible to find a list of those codes? I am waiting on a CA7 sent to OWCP, there are codes used on the CQS under "compensation tracking" and also on the top part of the page where there are colored "bullets'...Thanks

Ruuth /m5920 - I do not know - I will try to see if I can find/obtain a list...if I can, I will post same here.

Ruuth /m5920 - can you list the codes here? I will then try to find out what they are.

Previously on periodic roll. Been back at work on LD. Condition is worsening and Dr. wants me off work. When I complete Ca-7 do I send it to owcp or give it to supervisor. Thanks for advice!

mailladypostalady-
Is condition worsening because you are working?

yes? since i've been back at work, now symptoms are worse and doc said space is more visible in back where disc "was".

Edited by author 11-05-2009 05:27 PM
You technically have a new claim for occupational disease. I would go this route because your compensation would be based on your current wages. If your doctor agrees that work is making it worse then you should not have a problem. File a new CA-2. Otherwise you will most likely have to file a recurrence on old claim. You would likely be denied because of the facts in your claim.