What to Understand Before Requesting an Appointment
The Ellis Clinic FERS materials describe disability retirement for medical or psychological conditions that prevent you from performing essential elements of the job for which you were hired, or where continued work in the position would aggravate your conditions.
1. The One-Year Deadline
The protocol emphasizes that a FERS disability-retirement application must be filed within one year of the last day as a Federal employee.
2. The Medical Standard
The Ellis materials describe the basic issue as whether you cannot do the work for which you were hired or whether performing that work is harmful to you.
3. Conditions Can Have Many Causes
The handout states that impairments may arise from age, congenital conditions, personal injuries, or workers' compensation conditions.
4. FERS and Outside Work
The supplied handout explains that a person may work outside the Federal government and earn up to the applicable 80% threshold while remaining on FERS disability retirement.
5. FERS vs. SSD
The Ellis materials distinguish FERS from the stricter Social Security Disability standard and explain that an SSD application is part of the FERS process.
6. Physician's Statement
The protocol says FERS requires a physician's expert medical-opinion statement that follows OPM requirements.
Prepare the FERS Packet and Medical Evidence
The Ellis handout describes a straightforward sequence: obtain and complete the FERS forms, obtain a physician's expert medical opinion that meets FERS requirements, send the FERS packet to OPM, and apply for Social Security Disability as instructed in the FERS packet.
Gather and Organize Your FERS Records
The FERS Appointment Protocol says Ellis Clinic reviews the mailed Protocol, records, and typed Summary List before contacting you to set up an appointment. Send copies only and only the pertinent records.
- Ellis Clinic FERS Appointment Protocol Agreement.
- Typed Summary List of Records. The protocol notes that the Summary List may be attached to the report.
- Official Job Position Description - code, title, and description. The protocol marks this REQUIRED for a FERS appointment.
- Operations - generally the operative report.
- Tests - such as MRI, EMG/nerve-conduction studies, or pertinent positive laboratory testing.
- Hospital records - pertinent records such as an operative report or discharge summary.
- Physician records - reports, office notes, and other pertinent medical records.
- Optional non-physician records - such as physical therapy or a Functional Capacity Evaluation.
Know the Fee Before You Begin
The supplied FERS Appointment Protocol lists a $1,000 fee for an examination and FERS Expert Medical Opinion Physician Statement.