ELLIS CLINICOCCUPATIONAL & LEGAL MEDICINEOklahoma City, Oklahoma
OWCP · INITIAL MEDICAL TREATMENT

CA-16 CA-16

Form CA-16 is the employing agency's authorization for initial examination and/or treatment after a federal traumatic injury. It can authorize treatment at OWCP expense for up to 60 days from the date of injury.

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ELLIS CLINIC MEDICAL FORM GUIDE

More Than Filling In Boxes

The form organizes information, but the strength of the medical evidence depends on the diagnosis, objective findings, work relationship, disability or restrictions, and the physician's reasoning.

Authorization, Not Acceptance

A CA-16 authorizes initial medical care; it should not be confused with a final OWCP decision accepting the claim.

Choice of Physician

DOL states an injured employee has the right to select the first physician who treats the work injury, subject to FECA rules.

Medical Report Still Matters

The treating physician's findings, diagnosis, disability status, and causation opinion become part of the medical evidence supporting the claim.

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THE MEDICAL LOGIC

Immediate Care → Diagnosis → Medical Evidence

The CA-16 gets the injured employee into medical care. The medical record created during that care can then help establish what condition was diagnosed, what treatment was needed, and whether disability or restrictions resulted.

01INJURYIdentify the traumatic work event.
02EXAMINATIONDocument history and objective findings.
03DIAGNOSISIdentify the medical condition rather than symptoms alone.
04FOLLOW-UPDocument treatment, disability, restrictions, and progress as needed.
Important: DOL states Form CA-16 is not issued for occupational disease cases. Current DOL guidance says the authorization covers non-surgical treatment for up to 60 calendar days from the date of injury, unless the authorization ends sooner.
RELATED OWCP MEDICAL FORMS

Build the Medical Record

CA-16Authorization for Examination and/or Treatment CA-17Duty Status Report and work restrictions CA-20Attending Physician's Report OWCP-5cWork Capacity Evaluation — Musculoskeletal Conditions