Chiropractors & OWCP Claims

In the context of a Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) claim handled by the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP), a chiropractor can be recognized as a treating physician under specific conditions.

Conditions Under Which a Chiropractor Can Be a Treating Physician:

Diagnosis of Subluxation: The chiropractor must diagnose a subluxation of the spine. This diagnosis must be based on X-rays taken either by the chiropractor or a qualified radiologist.

Scope of Treatment: The chiropractor’s treatment must be limited to manual manipulation of the spine to correct the subluxation. The OWCP recognizes chiropractors as physicians only for the treatment of subluxation and not for other conditions or treatments.

Limitations:

Non-Spinal Conditions: If the work-related injury or condition involves parts of the body other than the spine, or if it involves conditions other than subluxation, the chiropractor cannot be the primary treating physician. In such cases, a different type of medical doctor must be involved in the treatment and diagnosis.

Documentation Requirements: The chiropractor must provide appropriate documentation, including X-ray evidence, to substantiate the diagnosis and treatment plan.

In summary, a chiropractor can act as a treating physician for an OWCP claim if the treatment is for a diagnosed subluxation of the spine and involves manual manipulation. For other types of injuries or broader medical conditions, a different medical professional would need to be the primary treating physician.