Functional Capacity Evaluations

Functional Capacity Evaluations at integrated rehab

Functional capacity evaluations (FCEs) can be used by a wide range of healthcare professionals to provide pertinent information to lawyers, case managers, and insurance companies regarding an individual’s capacity to work. An FCE measures the ability of an individual to perform functional or work-related tasks. It also predicts the potential to sustain these tasks over a defined time frame.

To schedule an FCE, call or text 402-502-1819 or click: Schedule an Appointment – Integrated Rehab

Omaha's Integrated Rehab

creating and ensuring health!

What is an functional capacity evaluation?

A functional capacity evaluation (FCE) evaluates an individual’s capacity to perform work activities related to his or her participation in employment. The FCE process compares the individual’s health status, and body functions and structures to the demands of the job and the work environment. In essence, an FCE’s primary purpose is to evaluate a person’s ability to participate in work, although other instrumental activities of daily living that support work performance may also be evaluated. Similar types of testing may also be called a functional capacity assessment (FCA), physical capacity assessment or evaluation (PCA or PCE), or work capacity assessment or evaluation (WCA or WCE).

A well-designed FCE should consist of a battery of standardized assessments that offers results in performance-based measures and demonstrates predictive value about the individual’s return to work (Kuijer et al., 2011; Soer, et al., 2008). Traditionally, FCEs measured an individual’s ability to perform the physical demands of a job, but over the last decade many FCE have begun to include evaluation of cognitive demands if such testing is warranted. The FCE must be administered with care for the client’s safety and well-being.

our specialties

Specialized conditions treated by our practitioners.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Cerebral Palsy
Chronic Neck Pain
Degenerative Joint Disease
Disc Herniation
Fibromyalgia
Forward Head Posture
Headache
Low Back Pain
Multiple Sclerosis
Non Musculoskeletal (Visceral) Disorders

Radiculopathy
Repetitive Stress
Scoliosis
Spinal Alignment/Cervical Curve
Spinal Pain
Stress
Subluxation
Temporomandibular Joint
Vertigo and Balance
Wellness Care
Whiplash

Who Can Benefit From an FCE?

Someone who has been injured on the job to determine his or her ability to return to the job or alternate work
Someone applying for Social Security Disability benefits
Someone seeking to return to work or volunteer activities after an injury or illness
Someone injured in a catastrophic accident (i.e., automobile accident) for whom an FCE can determine performance skills and abilities related to resuming former employment or a new job
Someone seeking vocational rehabilitation services
Students receiving transitional services from school to the work setting to determine their skills and the extent of support required to perform in a job

What Are the Components of the fce?

The components of the FCE will vary based on the purpose of the assessment. The FCE typically begins with a client interview, medical record review, and musculoskeletal screening. Functional testing may include graded materialhandling activities such as lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling; and positional tolerance activities such as sitting, standing, walking, balancing, reaching, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, object handling/manipulation, fingering, hand grasping, and hand manipulation. Pain monitoring is frequently performed during the FCE to document client-reported levels of pain during various activities as well as to manage pain. The FCE may also include evaluation of an individual’s hand dexterity, hand coordination, endurance, and other job-specific functions.

The FCE report includes an overall physical demand level (U.S. Department of Labor, n.d.), a summary of jobspecific physical abilities, a summary of performance consistency and overall voluntary effort, job match information, adaptations to enhance performance, and treatment recommendations, if requested. Some FCEs are designed to also report on the worker’s ability to meet the cognitive demands of the job in question. FCEs are done on a one-on-one basis and may range in length from 4 to 6 hours. The FCE may take place over 2 consecutive days.

Referral and Payment for FCEs

People are generally referred for an FCE by physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners; insurance representatives; case managers; employers, human resources personnel, and risk managers; attorneys (for either the plaintiff or defense); other therapists; or chiropractors. Individuals can also self-refer in states that allow direct access to occupational therapy services, but a referral may be required for reimbursement. FCEs are paid for by workers’ compensation insurance plans; self-insured plans; individual insurance plans; federal, state, and/or local agencies; managed care plans; individuals themselves, employers, or legal firms. Email drkerry@omahaintegratedrehab.com or call 402-502-1819 to schedule or ask questions about Functional Capacity Evaluations.

where do I start may functional capacity evaluation?

Contact your nearest location in Midtown or South Omaha today!

our locations

Choose the branch of your preference, we want to have the pleasure of serving you.

South Omaha location

4832 S. 24th Street
Omaha, NE 68107

402-502-1819

Monday to Friday: 8am – 6pm
Saturday: 9am – 1pm

View map

We also speak
Spanish!

West Omaha location

14450 Meadows Blvd,
Omaha, NE 68138