OWCP 4-Hour Administrative Leave Rule: What Federal Employees in Kansas City & St. Louis Need to Know

\

Introduction

If you’re a federal employee in Kansas City or St. Louis with an accepted OWCP claim under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA), you may be entitled to up to 4 hours of administrative leave for each medical appointment related to your work injury.

This rule can make the difference between getting proper treatment without financial stress—or losing valuable pay and leave. Unfortunately, many employees (and even supervisors) misunderstand how the OWCP 4-hour rule works.

At Restore Muscle and Joint, we specialize in helping injured federal employees navigate OWCP regulations, medical documentation, and treatment so you don’t lose your benefits unnecessarily.

What Is the OWCP 4-Hour Administrative Leave Rule?

• Federal employees with accepted OWCP claims may receive up to four hours of excused absence (administrative leave) for each medical appointment.

• This includes travel time and treatment time.

• Time beyond four hours usually requires a doctor’s note and may be charged to sick leave, annual leave, or leave without pay.

• The benefit only applies after your OWCP claim is accepted—pending or denied claims are not covered.

Agency Responsibilities

Your agency (USPS, TSA, VA, etc.) is responsible for applying the rule:

• Supervisors usually require advance notice of the appointment (except emergencies).

• Absence is recorded as administrative leave, not sick leave.

• If the appointment takes fewer than four hours, you’re expected to return to work if possible.

• Any absence beyond four hours must be documented by a medical provider.

Common Pitfalls

1. Taking a full day off automatically – OWCP will not pay beyond the 4 hours unless medically necessary and documented.

2. Lack of medical evidence – Without a doctor’s note showing time of appointment, OWCP can deny compensation.

3. Burning through COP days – Each day you use Continuation of Pay (COP), even for a short appointment, counts as a full day.

4. Employer errors – Some supervisors mistakenly charge sick leave instead of administrative leave. Always know your rights and keep documentation.

Real-World Examples

• USPS Letter Carrier, Kansas City: A carrier scheduled physical therapy for a back injury. Therapy plus travel took 3 hours. USPS granted 3 hours of administrative leave, and the employee returned to work. Had they taken the entire day off without medical justification, the rest would have been charged to personal leave.

• VA Nurse, St. Louis: After a needle-stick injury, a nurse required multiple follow-ups. Each visit was covered under the 4-hour rule with administrative leave, preventing unnecessary sick leave use.

• TSA Officer, Lambert Airport (St. Louis): A screener with a shoulder injury attended a 2-hour orthopedic appointment. Time was excused under OWCP, but because they returned promptly to work, no personal leave was lost.

Strategies for Federal Employees

• Schedule wisely – Early or late in the shift minimizes lost work hours.

• Group appointments – Combine doctor and therapy visits in one day.

• Always document – Get a signed note with in/out times.

• Track COP days – Remember the 45-day COP limit.

• Communicate – Keep supervisors informed to avoid disputes.

Guidance for Medical Providers

Clinics like Restore Muscle and Joint play a critical role:

• Document visit times clearly.

• Provide proof-of-visit slips for patients.

• Bill OWCP directly, not the agency or patient.

• Complete forms (CA-17, CA-7a, etc.) accurately.

Why This Matters for Federal Employees in Missouri

Injured federal workers in Kansas City and St. Louis—whether USPS carriers, TSA officers, VA employees, or other federal staff—often risk lost pay and denied claims simply because the 4-hour rule isn’t applied correctly.

At Restore Muscle and Joint, our OWCP experts, orthopedic doctors, and case managers help you:

• Ensure medical documentation matches OWCP requirements.

• Protect your administrative leave rights.

• File wage-loss claims correctly when absences exceed four hours.

• Coordinate care so you don’t waste valuable COP days.

Conclusion

The OWCP 4-hour administrative leave rule is designed to help federal employees get the treatment they need without losing pay or personal leave. But using it correctly requires documentation, planning, and sometimes advocacy when your agency misunderstands the policy.

If you’re a federal employee in Kansas City or St. Louis navigating OWCP, contact Restore Muscle and Joint. Our experienced team knows the regulations inside and out and can help protect your benefits while getting you the treatment you need.

📍 Restore Muscle and Joint – Kansas City
4119 NW Barry Rd.
Kansas City, MO 64154
📞 (816) 452-4488

📍 Restore Muscle and Joint – St. Louis
4225 Bayless Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63123
📞 (314) 439-1706

👉 Call today for a free OWCP claim review and consultation.