There are many FPDR rules to remember when you sustain a service-connected injury or illness. Additionally, there are steps that you can take to make your FPDR claim process operate more smoothly. Please review the following important points:
- You have 30 days from the date of your injury to file a claim. This is a strict rule. Completing an injury log is not sufficient; you must also fill out a disability in the line of duty (DILD) form.
- When in doubt, go see your doctor. While its understandable that you may want to wait a day or two to see if an ache or pain goes away, if you wait too long to seek medical treatment you may lose out on receiving benefits.
- Even if you have a good relationship with your primary care physician (PCP), your PCP might not always be the best person to treat your condition. Consider a referral to a specialist for significant injuries.
- Many PPA members receive valuable treatment and relief from chiropractors and acupuncturists. If you sustain an injury to you back, knee, neck, etc. please consider also going to see your PCP or specialist who can send you for imaging (ex. MRI, X ray, CT Scan, etc.). While you may receive the relief you need from a chiropractor or acupuncturist, these medical professionals do not always generate findings sufficient to support claim approval. It is possible that without obtaining additional testing for some injuries, FPDR may be in a position to deny your claim.
- When you go to see your doctor make sure to have your doctor fill out the FPDR forms and make sure they are complete. You should make sure your doctor is aware that you need him or her to provide FPDR with documents in a timely manner. In some cases, untimely filing of FPDR forms may impact your claim approval.
- If you sustain a service-connected injury, in additional to filling out an Attending Physician report, FPDR may ask your doctor to respond to an Independent Medical Exam (IME) report or to provide an opinion regarding whether your injury is service-connected. Please talk to your doctors and put them on notice that FPDR will be contacting them for information and responses. FPDR will often pay your PCP for the time it takes to generate a report regarding your injury or illness. Your PCP’s cooperation with FPDR will play an important role in claim approval.
- If you are unhappy with the treatment you are receiving from your doctor don’t be afraid to find a new one. Your health and well-being should be your top priority and you want to make sure you are working with a doctor who is taking you and your injury seriously. If you don’t feel you are receiving the treatment you need or you need a referral for a different doctor you can contact your FPDR claim analyst to assist you in finding a new doctor.
- Keep FPDR informed of your injury and treatment.
- Hearing Loss – If you receive a hearing assessment and experience a hearing loss you should visit an ear nose and throat doctor. The trigger for filing an FPDR claim is when a doctor advises you that your hearing loss is work related. While this is not a guarantee of claim approval, following these steps will place you in the best position to have your hearing claim approved.