Return to Work – JRM Nurse Consultants

By Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LNC, LEHP
Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant & Workers’ Compensation Case Manager

If you’re a provider treating a federal employee through the U.S. Department of Labor (OWCP), you may be wondering how often you need to see the patient in person in order to address work status and provide documentation such as the CA-17.

Here’s what you need to know:

There is no OWCP rule that requires an in-person visit every 30 days.
While many case managers or employers prefer monthly updates, OWCP allows for completion of the CA-17 and work status documentation based on chart review, as long as your determination is based on recent clinical documentation and your professional judgment.

Can I Complete a CA-17 Without Seeing the Patient?

Yes. If the injured worker is stable and there is no new clinical change, you may complete a CA-17 indicating that work status remains unchanged. You must clearly document that your opinion is based on a review of existing records and that no in-person visit occurred.

Best Practice Language to Include in Your Note:

“Work status extended based on review of existing medical records. No in-person evaluation was conducted at this time.”

This protects you and clearly communicates the basis of your decision.

Reminder: OWCP Forms Are for Administrative Use

The CA-17 and similar forms are tools used by the employer and claims examiner to track capacity for duty. OWCP does not regulate a strict timeline for follow-up unless medical necessity or case complexity requires it.

Final Thoughts

As always, clinical judgment comes first. If the injured worker’s condition changes or you need to reassess capacity for work, schedule a visit. But if nothing has changed, chart review may be appropriate — and acceptable to OWCP — when updating paperwork.

Need Help Staying Compliant Without Extra Work?
As a nurse consultant, I help providers stay on top of OWCP documentation, functional evaluations, and return-to-work protocols—without unnecessary visits.

rosie@jrmnurseconsultants.com
jrmnurseconsultants.com
407-760-1662

Functional medicine and care coordination that help injured workers safely return to work — while supporting providers, employers, and insurers.

Starting JRM Nurse Consultants was born out of a deep commitment to helping injured workers and healthcare providers navigate the often-complex world of workers’ compensation and injury recovery.

As a Doctor of Nursing Practice and Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant, I witnessed firsthand the struggles many injured individuals face—not just with their physical recovery but also with the overwhelming administrative hurdles that come with workers’ compensation claims. Providers, too, often found themselves burdened by paperwork, compliance requirements, and fragmented communication, which could delay care and impact outcomes.

JRM Nurse Consultants was created to fill that gap. We offer a unique blend of clinical expertise and holistic support, focusing on streamlining medical documentation, case management, and care coordination. But what truly sets us apart is our functional medicine approach. We look beyond symptoms and treatment dates, addressing the root causes of chronic pain, inflammation, stress, and other factors that can delay healing.

At JRM Nurse Consultants, our commitment is to compassionate care while fully recognizing the important roles that insurance carriers, employers, and providers play in the workers’ compensation process. We understand that insurers prioritize managing claims efficiently and reducing costs, and we support these goals by helping providers navigate the complex workers’ comp system with clear, accurate documentation and ongoing communication with claims adjusters. Our approach integrates functional medicine to address the root causes of injury, promoting faster, safer return-to-work outcomes that benefit injured workers, employers, and insurers alike. By bridging clinical care with system navigation and collaboration, we ensure everyone’s needs are met — protecting health while supporting cost-effective, compliant claims management.

Our services include timely, accurate medical documentation aligned with state and federal workers’ compensation requirements, ongoing case monitoring, facilitating treatment authorizations, and referral coordination to trusted providers. Additionally, we provide functional medicine coaching that empowers injured workers to actively participate in their recovery through nutrition, stress management, and lifestyle adjustments.

Since launching JRM Nurse Consultants, we have proudly supported hundreds of injured workers and their healthcare teams, helping them achieve better outcomes and smoother return-to-work transitions. Our mission is to transform injury recovery into a more compassionate experience—one that recognizes the whole person, not just the injury.

Ready to Learn More?

If you’re a provider, employer, or adjuster seeking a collaborative approach to injury recovery — or an injured worker navigating a complicated case — we’d love to talk.
📧 Email: rosie@jrmnurseconsultants.com
🌐 Visit: www.jrmnurseconsultants.com
📞 Call: 407-760-1662

Let’s work together to create safer, smoother return-to-work outcomes — with care that truly addresses the whole picture.

Years of experience in Work Comp, Case Management, Disease Management, Utilization Review and Prior Authorization.

Tag Archives: Return to Work

Clarifying 30-Day Reassessment and Work Status for OWCP Providers

Can I Complete a CA-17 Without Seeing the Patient?

Best Practice Language to Include in Your Note:

Reminder: OWCP Forms Are for Administrative Use

Final Thoughts

How JRM Nurse Consultants Supports Injured Workers

Ready to Learn More?