An examination to determine your physical capabilities is called a functional capacity evaluation. It consists of a number of examinations, drills, and observations that gauge various facets of your physical capabilities. The final report might assist in illustrating how your symptoms have affected your overall capacity to carry out necessary job tasks.
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Is my claim appropriate for a Functional Capacity Evaluation?
The Functional Capacity Assessment is most appropriate for those with physical disorders that result in symptoms like:
unusual or restricted motions
weakened muscles
Positioning challenges
Problems with balance
tingling or numbness
Anguish
Inadequate dexterity/sloppy motions, and/or
weariness from physical activity
It makes no difference if your handicap results from a disease or an accident. The FCE findings will show what limits and constraints you have if your physical abilities are compromised.
Remember that the majority of FCE assessments are not intended to assess the effects of hearing difficulties, mental health conditions, or visual impairments.
Who conducts the assessment of functional capacity?
The functional capacity examination will be carried out by a qualified medical specialist, such as an occupational therapist or a doctor with expertise in rehabilitative occupational medicine.
How much time will the assessment require?
The Functional Capacity Evaluation may take a different amount of time. While some examinations take place over two days, others are completed in a single day. You should be ready for the evaluation to take the entire day on each planned day.
In general, we advise our clients to participate in the two-day FCE. A two-day FCE can be used to determine whether your limits become more obvious while executing specific job responsibilities over an extended period of time. By comparing the data over a two-day period, you may demonstrate to the insurer how your functional capacity declines with activity and help them understand why you are unable to maintain a regular work schedule (such as consecutive workdays).
How should I dress?
You should dress comfortably because the FCE will entail physical exams (e.g., shoes, sweatshirt, casual jeans, etc.). To ensure maximum comfort throughout the exam, you should also wear layers of clothing.
Is there anything I should pack?
Don’t forget to bring any necessary assistive devices, such as a cane, brace, or eyeglasses, along with your medications. Should you be represented by legal counsel, they ought to provide your medical documents and details about your professional history, including a work description, straight to the assessor.
Is there anything the assessor knows about me?
The assessor should already be aware of your occupation, past employment history, diagnosis, course of treatment, and date of impairment if you are represented by counsel. The evaluator will be able to create a more thorough and knowledgeable report with the use of this data.
Will I be questioned about my impairment by the evaluator?
Indeed. In order to gain a deeper understanding of your diagnosis, symptoms, and complaints, the evaluator will probably quiz you. The functional capacity evaluation report will be more thorough the more information the assessor knows.
What kind of notes is the assessor going to make about me?
First, the assessor will watch you during the test to make sure you are constantly exerting your best effort. Second, the assessor will watch how you move and how you behave when in discomfort. These observations will subsequently be used by the assessor to draw conclusions on the validity of your test findings. Finally, in order to demonstrate the validity of the test findings, the assessor will document these observations.
What happens if the testing makes my problems worse?
If you feel discomfort, lightheadedness, or any other symptoms while being tested, let the assessor know right away, and wait for more instructions. Accurate testing and safety considerations make this crucial. Your evaluator will note which activities made your symptoms worse. If there are any tests that are too risky for you to do, the assessor will also halt testing or skip them.