See also Directed Medical Examinations (secops, IMEs)
See Mr. Joseph Perez' testimony on OWCP non-use of
impartial referee physicians
From CA-810 6-4. Medical
Treatment and Evaluation
.....
(3) Referee Medical Specialist. A conflict of
medical opinion may be created when differing opinions of approximately equal weight
appear in the file. Medical opinion from a referee specialist will then be arranged to
resolve the conflict of opinion, which may concern the relationship of a condition to
factors of employment, or the extent of disability, for example. The physician is chosen
on the basis of rotation among the available specialists within a given geographical area
who practice the pertinent area of medicine. OWCP will arrange the appointment and advise
the employee of the arrangements. As with second opinion referral, OWCP will pay the cost
of the examination, reasonable travel expenses, and the amount of lost wages. Here again,
the compensation of an employee who fails to attend the examination without good reason
will be suspended until the employee reports for examination. |
From CFR 20 10.408 - Medical
referee examination
If there should be a disagreement between the physician making the examination on the part
of the United States and the injured employee's physician, the Office shall appoint a
third physician, qualified in the appropriate speciality, who shall make an examination.
The physician appointed shall be one not previously connected with the case.
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