Federal Workers’ Compensation Doctors on Long Island (FECA / OWCP)
Postal workers, VA staff, TSA officers and other federal employees hurt on the job are covered by the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA), not New York State workers’ comp. Empire Minimally Invasive Spine and Pain participates in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation (DFEC) program under FECA. Our pain, spine and orthopedic physicians treat injured or ill federal employees at our Plainview, New Hyde Park and Ronkonkoma offices.
For federal employees only. We treat civilian federal employees whose work injury or illness claims are handled by OWCP’s Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation (DFEC) under FECA. That includes workers at the U.S. Postal Service, the VA, TSA and other federal agencies. We do not treat claims under OWCP’s other programs: the Energy Employees program (EEOICPA, for nuclear weapons workers), the Black Lung program (for coal mine workers) or the Longshore program. If your claim falls under one of those programs, please visit the Department of Labor’s OWCP website for help.
How federal workers’ comp is different
FECA is run by the Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation (DFEC), part of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP). It has its own forms, its own rules and its own billing system. A few points matter most for your medical care:
- You choose your doctor. The Department of Labor says injured federal workers can see the physician of their choosing, and no referral is needed to start care. If you want to change doctors later, you contact your OWCP claims examiner first.
- The doctor must be OWCP-enrolled. DOL requires medical providers to be enrolled with OWCP to be paid for treating federal employees. Empire is enrolled in the federal employees’ (DFEC) program.
- Some procedures need approval first. Certain tests and procedures require prior authorization from OWCP. Our team submits those requests for you.
Steps after a work injury as a federal employee
- Tell your supervisor right away and get care if you need it.
- File your claim through your agency. Use Form CA-1 for a traumatic injury (a single event, like a fall) or Form CA-2 for an occupational disease (a condition that builds over time, like repetitive strain). Many agencies use DOL’s ECOMP online system.
- Ask about Form CA-16. For a traumatic injury, your agency can issue a CA-16. DOL says it can authorize medical treatment for 60 days from the date of injury, unless OWCP ends it sooner.
- Bring your paperwork. Bring your OWCP claim number (if you have one), your CA-16 (if issued), your agency contact and any imaging or records.
We handle the medical side. Our team prepares the medical reports OWCP relies on and requests authorization when a test or procedure needs it, so you can focus on recovery.
Work injuries we treat
We treat the injuries that commonly keep federal employees off the job, including:
- Back and neck injuries from lifting, carrying mail or falls, including herniated discs and sciatica
- Shoulder and rotator cuff injuries
- Knee injuries, including meniscus and ligament tears
- Repetitive-strain problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome
- Pinched nerves and nerve pain
We start with the least invasive treatment that can help, such as physical therapy and medication, then image-guided options like epidural steroid injections when needed. Surgery is considered only when conservative care is not enough.
Our Long Island offices
Plainview
520 Old Country Rd, Plainview, NY 11803
Pain: 516-229-1443 · Ortho: 516-400-3333
New Hyde Park
1991 Marcus Ave, Suite M217, North New Hyde Park, NY 11042
516-229-1443
Ronkonkoma
4155 Veterans Memorial Hwy, Suite 5, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
516-229-1443
Same-week appointments are often available for new patients. Hurt on the job but not a federal employee? See our New York State workers’ compensation page.
Frequently asked questions
Which OWCP programs do you accept?
We accept only claims under OWCP’s Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation (DFEC), which covers civilian federal employees under FECA, such as workers at USPS, the VA, TSA and other federal agencies. We do not treat claims under OWCP’s Energy Employees program (nuclear weapons workers), Black Lung program (coal mine workers) or Longshore program. For those programs, visit the Department of Labor’s OWCP website.
Can I choose my own doctor for a federal work injury?
Yes. Under FECA, injured federal workers can choose their own physician, and no referral is needed to start care. The doctor must be enrolled with OWCP to be paid. To switch doctors later, contact your OWCP claims examiner.
What is a CA-16?
A CA-16 is a form your agency can issue after a traumatic injury. It authorizes medical treatment for up to 60 days from the date of injury, unless OWCP ends it sooner.
What should I bring to my first visit?
Bring your OWCP claim number if you have one, your CA-16 if your agency issued it, your agency contact information, a photo ID and any imaging or medical records about the injury.
Do I need to pay anything for treatment?
For an accepted FECA claim, OWCP generally pays for medical care related to the work injury. Our team will confirm the status of your claim before your visit.
This page is general information, not legal or medical advice. FECA rules, forms and deadlines depend on your situation. Your agency’s injury compensation specialist or OWCP can answer questions about your claim.
What Our Patients Say
Our Plainview office has moved
Find us at our new location:
520 Old Country Rd
Plainview, NY 11803
Same doctors, same phone numbers.
Most Major Plans,
No-Fault & Personal Injury.
We accept most major insurance plans across our New York and New Jersey offices. Select your state to see accepted plans.
Accepted at our New York Locations
Workers' Compensation
No-Fault (NY & NJ)
Lien Cases
Medicare
Empire BCBS
BCBS / Anthem
Cigna
Aetna
Empire NYSHIP
Oxford (PPO)
United Health Care
GHI / Emblem Health
Humana (PPO)
Magnacare (PPO)
Northwell Direct
1199 SEIU
Self Pay
Accepted at our New Jersey Locations
No-Fault (NJ)
Lien Cases
Horizon BCBS
Empire NYSHIP
BCBS / Anthem (PPO)
Cigna
Aetna (PPO)
GHI / Emblem (PPO)
Port Authority UHC
Verizon Plan
Carpenter & Trade Unions
Self Pay
Medicare, Medicaid and Workers' Compensation are not accepted at our New Jersey locations. Not sure about your plan? Call us and we'll verify before your visit.
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Meet Our Pain Management & Orthopedic Specialists
Board-certified physicians dedicated to accurate diagnosis and minimally invasive care.
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John Akhnoukh, M.D.
Board Certified Anesthesiologist & Interventional Pain Management Physician
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James Yu, D.O.
Board Certified Anesthesiologist & Interventional Pain Management Physician
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Benjamin Souferi, D.O.
Fellowship-Trained Interventional Pain Medicine Physician (Cleveland Clinic)
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