Will I Need to Continue Seeing a Health Care Provider to Keep My OPM Disability Retirement Benefits?

Were you diagnosed recently with a medical condition that will prevent you from continuing to work, or were you injured in an accident in such a way that you cannot continue working? If you are a federal employee and have at least 18 months of federal civil service that is creditable under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), you may be eligible for Office of Personnel Management (OPM) disability retirement benefits. In short, you may be able to retire early due to your disability and obtain FERS benefits.

Before you move forward with your application, you may have questions about the regularity with which you will need to see a doctor or the frequency of follow-up medical visits. Our national OPM disability retirement lawyers can provide you with more information.

You Will Need Substantial Medical Evidence to Receive OPM Disability Benefits

First, in order to be eligible for OPM disability retirement benefits, you will need to have medical evidence that supports your application. You will need evidence from your licensed health care provider or providers that shows you have become disabled due to disease or injury in such a way that you cannot engage in “useful and efficient service in your current position,” and that your disability is expected to last at least one year.

This may require only one medical examination, but it will likely require more. If you have a disability that is serious enough to last at least one year and prevent you from working, you will likely require significant follow-up care even if the OPM does not expressly request it.

Your Medical Case May Be Reviewed, and You May Be Required to Have Additional Medical Exams After Receiving Initial Benefits

Now, once you have been approved for OPM disability retirement benefits, should you expect to hear from the OPM about required follow-up medical exams? In other words, will the OPM continue to monitor the medical details of your case to reaffirm your eligibility for benefits based on new and ongoing medical evidence?

According to the OPM, “when we approve your application for disability retirement, we may determine that based on your medical condition you will periodically have to provide us with current medical information in order to continue receiving benefits.” As such, whether or not you will have to receive follow-up medical exams for the purposes of ongoing OPM disability retirement eligibility will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Contact Our National OPM Disability Retirement Lawyer Today for Assistance with Your Application 

Are you considering applying for OPM disability retirement benefits? It will be important to determine your eligibility with assistance from a lawyer who has experience handling these claims, and to discuss all of the details of the process so that you know what to expect and so that you take all required steps. An experienced national OPM disability retirement attorney at the Law Offices of Stephen Barszcz can discuss your circumstances with you today and can begin working with you on your OPM disability retirement claim. Contact our firm to learn more about how we can assist you.

Source:

opm.gov/support/retirement/faq/disability-benefits/