Federal workers unaware of mental health coverage

CHARLOTTE, NC, September 06, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Federal workers may be unaware that their injuries, both physical and mental, can be covered by federal workers' compensation, according to a release from Dynamic Health Complete Care, a mental health practice in Charlotte.

The Federal Employees' Compensation Act, which governs workers' compensation for federal employees, states that the government provides services prescribed by a qualified physician for injuries sustained while performing job duties. This includes diseases caused by employment. While many federal employees are aware of the program's coverage for physical injuries, fewer understand that it can also extend to mental health conditions.

Dynamic Health Complete Care treats injured federal workers and those with claims under the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs. The practice operates from its South Boulevard office and provides secure video consultations across North Carolina.

The law specifies that whether a psychiatric or emotional condition qualifies for compensation is decided on a case-by-case basis. The government does not guarantee payment for any requested treatment, and claims are not automatic.

One indication that such claims exist is the presence of Form OWCP-5a, titled "Work Capacity Evaluation, Psychiatric/Psychological Conditions." This form is used for conditions already accepted by the program as caused or worsened by work.

The paperwork process for mental health conditions is more complex, leading to delays. Sudden injuries can be authorized quickly, with a supervisor issuing Form CA-16 for treatment to begin. However, conditions that develop over multiple shifts are treated as occupational diseases, requiring prior approval from the program, according to the Department of Labor.

Most work-related mental health conditions develop over time, necessitating a slower, more bureaucratic process. Federal workers who seek fast-track treatment may conclude incorrectly that no path exists for their condition.

Federal employees have the right to choose the physician for their initial treatment. However, many are unaware that mental health care is part of their claim, according to Dr. Thomas Fitzgerald, a psychiatrist with Dynamic Health Complete Care.

"Federal employees often tell us they did not know this kind of care could be part of their claim," Dr. Fitzgerald said. "They spend months managing the physical injury and treat the mental health side as something they have to carry alone. It does not have to be that way, and the first step is just asking the question."

Dynamic Health Complete Care treats depression, anxiety, stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder in federal employees, including those from the Postal Service, the Transportation Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Homeland Security. Therapy is provided by licensed clinical mental health counselors and a licensed clinical social work associate. Medication management is provided by Dr. Thomas Fitzgerald.

The practice is located at 4705 South Blvd, 2nd floor, Charlotte, NC 28217, and can be reached at (888) 750-0980. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 9am, 5pm, and Friday, 9am, 2pm.