DOL Doctors in DFW for Injured Federal Workers
Blue Star Rehabilitation's DOL doctors in DFW are OWCP-enrolled and treat federal employees injured on the job under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA). We bill OWCP directly, complete your CA-16, CA-17, and CA-20 medical paperwork, and help move your OWCP injury claim forward.
- OWCP-enrolled providers
- Billed directly to OWCP
- Same-day appointments
- English & Spanish
What Is a DOL Doctor?
A DOL doctor is a physician or other medical provider enrolled with the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) to treat federal employees injured on the job under FECA. DOL doctors, also called OWCP doctors or federal workers' compensation doctors, bill OWCP directly instead of your health insurance, and they submit the medical reports OWCP uses to accept your claim, pay for treatment, and decide on lost-wage compensation.
- Covers all civilian federal employees
- Paid by OWCP, not your health plan
- No copays or balance billing on accepted claims
- You may choose your own initial doctor
- Separate from Texas state workers' comp
- Medical reports drive claim decisions
Federal Workers' Compensation Doctors for Every Agency
If you're a civilian federal employee hurt on the job in North Texas, your injury falls under FECA, and you need doctors that take DOL/OWCP claims. Blue Star treats employees from every federal agency, including:
Letter carriers, clerks, mail handlers, RCAs
VA North Texas nurses, techs & staff
DFW & Love Field officers, CBP
Dallas & Fort Worth service centers
Border Patrol, BOP, U.S. Marshals
Civilian staff at bases & depots
Controllers, technicians
Any FECA-covered federal employee
How to File an OWCP Injury Claim, Step by Step
Missing a deadline or a medical report is the most common reason federal injury claims stall. Here's how the process works and where Blue Star's OWCP doctors come in.
- 1
Report the injury to your supervisor
Tell your supervisor right away and get medical care. For emergencies, go to the nearest ER first.
- 2
File Form CA-1 or CA-2
File a CA-1 for a traumatic injury (a single incident) no later than 30 days after it happens to stay eligible for continuation of pay. File a CA-2 for an occupational disease that developed over time. Most claims are filed electronically through the DOL's ECOMP portal. FECA allows up to three years to file, but late filing can cost you benefits.
- 3
Ask your employer for a CA-16
For a traumatic injury, your agency should issue a Form CA-16 within four hours of your request. It authorizes treatment for up to 60 days from the date of injury while OWCP reviews your claim.
- 4
Choose your OWCP doctor
FECA lets you pick your own initial treating physician. Choose an OWCP-enrolled provider who knows the paperwork, such as Blue Star. Changing doctors later generally requires OWCP approval, so choose carefully.
- 5
Get evaluated and documented
Our physicians examine you and write the medical opinion OWCP needs: your diagnosis, how the work incident caused it, and your work restrictions on the CA-17 duty status report and CA-20 attending physician's report.
- 6
Treat, recover, and return to work
We coordinate physical therapy, chiropractic care, and follow-up reports. If you lose wages after continuation of pay ends, you file a CA-7, and our reports support it.
OWCP Forms Federal Workers Need to Know
Here are the most common FECA forms, who completes each one, and when. Our team handles the medical forms and helps you understand the rest.
| Form | What it's for | Who completes it |
|---|---|---|
| CA-1 | Notice of traumatic injury and claim for continuation of pay (COP). File within 30 days for COP eligibility. | Employee, then supervisor |
| CA-2 | Notice of occupational disease, for conditions caused by work over time (repetitive strain, carpal tunnel, back degeneration). | Employee, then supervisor |
| CA-2a | Notice of recurrence: the original injury flares up and causes new disability or treatment after you returned to work. | Employee, then supervisor |
| CA-16 | Authorization for examination and treatment after a traumatic injury, valid up to 60 days from the injury date. | Employer (Part A), doctor (Part B) |
| CA-17 | Duty status report listing your physical restrictions and whether you can work. | Supervisor (Side A), doctor (Side B) |
| CA-20 | Attending physician's report covering diagnosis, treatment, and whether the work injury caused the condition. | Doctor |
| CA-7 | Claim for compensation for lost wages after COP ends, or for a schedule award. | Employee, then employer |
| OWCP-5c | Work capacity evaluation for musculoskeletal conditions, often requested before return to work. | Doctor |
| OWCP-915 | Claim for reimbursement of medical expenses you paid out of pocket. | Employee |
Why medical reports matter: OWCP accepts or denies claims based on a "rationalized medical opinion," a physician's explanation of how your specific work activity caused your diagnosis. Vague or incomplete reports are a leading cause of denials and delays. Writing these reports correctly is a core part of what our DOL doctors do.
What Our OWCP Doctors Provide
Physician Evaluations
Exams, diagnosis, and causation opinions written to OWCP's evidence standards.
OWCP Forms & Reports
CA-16 Part B, CA-17 duty status, CA-20 attending physician, and OWCP-5c work capacity reports.
Physical Therapy
Rehab to restore strength and function, prescribed and directed by our physicians.
Chiropractic Care
Spinal manipulation for X-ray-documented subluxation, the chiropractic care FECA covers.
Aquatic Therapy
Low-impact hydrotherapy for back, knee, and joint injuries.
Impairment Ratings
Permanent impairment ratings under the AMA Guides to support OWCP schedule award claims.
Federal Work Injuries We Treat
Federal jobs are physical. Carrying mail routes in Texas heat, lifting at processing plants, patient handling at VA hospitals, and screening at DFW Airport all take a toll. Our OWCP doctors treat both sudden injuries and conditions that build up over years.
Not sure whether your injury is "traumatic" (CA-1) or "occupational" (CA-2)? Call us. The difference affects your continuation of pay and which forms you file.
- Back & neck injuries from lifting, bending, and falls
- Shoulder injuries, including rotator cuff strains and tears
- Knee & ankle injuries from slips, trips, and uneven routes
- Repetitive stress: carpal tunnel and tendonitis
- Motor vehicle accidents in a federal or postal vehicle
- Dog bites and related injuries on delivery routes
- Recurrences of previously accepted injuries (CA-2a)
Medical Director Ravi B. Patel, M.D.
FECA limits what chiropractors alone can provide and bill to OWCP, so physician oversight matters for federal claims. Blue Star's care is overseen by Dr. Ravi B. Patel, an internal medicine physician named one of D Magazine's Best Doctors in Dallas ten times (2012–2025) and a former Chief of Staff of an acute rehabilitation hospital.
- Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Internal Medicine
- D Magazine Best Doctors: 2012, 2013, 2016–2019, 2022–2025
- Former Chief of Staff, acute rehabilitation hospital
What Our Work Injury Patients Say
Hansel O.Google review · Fort Worth"Great team! Responsive, easy to talk to, knowledgeable, and if you bring up any concerns of process or staff they fix it… given that it's a rehab/work injury place, I hope I never have to visit you again- professionally. :)"
Sinsey J.Google review · Irving"Very professional staff. They are helpful; will work hard to process necessary paperwork. Everyone is caring, attentive and friendly… The therapy helped tremendously physically and mentally."
Sharon C.Google review · Fort Worth"Scheduling was very easy and convenient… Very patient and caring. Explaining my treatment plan and goals for the best outcome. All the doctors were exceptional."
Find a DOL Doctor Near You in DFW
Four OWCP-enrolled clinics across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, near USPS processing centers, VA facilities, DFW Airport, and federal offices.
Fort Worth
6913 Camp Bowie Blvd, #141Fort Worth, TX 76116 (817) 560-4540
Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Sat–Sun closed
Irving
800 W Airport Fwy, Suite 959Irving, TX 75062 (972) 445-4134
Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Sat–Sun closed
Plano
17754 Preston Rd, #100Dallas, TX 75252
Far North Dallas / Plano · Collin County (972) 476-9036
Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
Sat–Sun closed
DOL Doctor & OWCP Claim FAQs
What is a DOL doctor?
A DOL doctor is a physician or medical provider enrolled with the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) to treat federal employees injured on the job under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA). DOL doctors bill OWCP directly and submit the medical reports OWCP uses to decide your claim.
How do I find a DOL doctor near me in DFW?
Look for a provider that is enrolled with OWCP and experienced with FECA paperwork. Blue Star Rehabilitation has OWCP-enrolled clinics in Dallas, Fort Worth, Irving, and Plano, with same-day appointments often available. Call (800) 254-6427 to be scheduled at the location closest to you.
Which doctors take DOL workers' comp?
Only providers enrolled with OWCP can be paid for treating federal workers' compensation claims. Many general clinics don't accept DOL claims because of the specialized forms and reporting. Blue Star's DOL doctors are OWCP-enrolled and handle the CA-16, CA-17, and CA-20 paperwork.
Can I choose my own OWCP doctor?
Yes. FECA lets an injured federal employee choose their own physician for initial treatment, as long as the provider can be paid by OWCP. After that initial choice, changing physicians generally requires OWCP approval.
Do I pay anything to see a DOL doctor?
For an accepted OWCP claim, OWCP pays your medical treatment directly. Providers can't bill you the difference when OWCP reduces a fee under its fee schedule (20 CFR 10.813), and there are no copays or deductibles for covered care.
What is a CA-16 and how long is it valid?
Form CA-16 is your employer's authorization for examination and treatment after a traumatic injury. Your employer should issue it within four hours of your injury, and it authorizes treatment for up to 60 days from the date of injury unless OWCP ends it sooner.
How long do I have to file an OWCP claim?
File Form CA-1 within 30 days of a traumatic injury to remain eligible for up to 45 days of continuation of pay (COP). FECA generally allows up to three years from the injury to file a claim, but filing promptly protects your benefits.
What OWCP forms does my doctor complete?
Your treating physician typically completes Part B of the CA-16, Side B of the CA-17 duty status report, the CA-20 attending physician's report, narrative medical reports, and, when requested, the OWCP-5c work capacity evaluation.
Does OWCP cover chiropractic care?
Partly. FECA reimburses chiropractors only for manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation demonstrated by X-ray (20 CFR 10.311). Chiropractors may also provide physical therapy under a qualified physician's direction.
What happens if my OWCP claim is denied?
Denials often come from missing or unclear medical evidence linking the injury to your work. You have appeal options, including reconsideration and a hearing. A detailed, rationalized medical report from your treating physician is often key, and our team can help with the medical side.
Hurt in a car accident instead?
Off-duty auto and personal injuries are handled differently. See our personal injury doctors.
Request a Free Consultation
Tell us a little about your injury and the clinic most convenient for you. A Blue Star team member will contact you, usually the same business day, to schedule your visit and answer questions about your OWCP claim, CA-16, or forms.
Prefer to talk now? Call any location directly:
- Main line(800) 254-6427
- Dallas(972) 296-2171
- Fort Worth(817) 560-4540
- Irving(972) 445-4134
- Plano(972) 476-9036