Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything referrers, employers, attorneys, and claimants ask about functional capacity evaluation, neuro-informed testing, occupational health services, and how we work across the DC metropolitan area.
Evaluations & Testing
What is a functional capacity evaluation?
A functional capacity evaluation (FCE) is a structured 3 to 6 hour test of what a worker can safely lift, carry, push, pull, tolerate, and sustain across a workday. The result is a physical demand level, documented work restrictions, and clear return-to-work recommendations that adjusters, physicians, attorneys, and employers can act on.
How is a neuro-informed FCE different from a standard FCE?
Standard FCE protocols were designed for orthopedic injury. A neuro-informed FCE adds cognitive-motor and dual-task testing, modified effort validity criteria, and accommodation for the day-to-day variability seen after traumatic brain injury, stroke, concussion, and other neurological conditions.
What should a claimant bring to an evaluation?
Photo identification, a list of current medications, any assistive devices used daily, comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes, and a light snack. Claimants should eat normally beforehand and take medication on the usual schedule.
How long does an evaluation take?
A standard FCE runs 3 to 6 hours in a single session. Post-offer employment testing takes 45 to 90 minutes. Neuro-informed and adapted evaluations may be split across two shorter sessions when fatigue or neurological variability makes a single long session unreliable.
Do you test effort and symptom validity?
Yes. Every evaluation includes multi-point consistency and effort validity measures. For neurological and neurodevelopmental cases we apply modified validity criteria, because standard effort cut-offs misclassify genuine neurological variability as submaximal effort.
Referrals, Reports & Billing
How fast are reports delivered?
Every evaluation report is delivered within 72 hours of testing. Expedited 24-hour delivery is available for hearings, IME rebuttals, and time-sensitive claims.
Who refers cases to CogMo Performance?
Workers' compensation TPAs and carriers, defense and plaintiff attorneys, vocational rehabilitation counselors, occupational medicine physicians, DDA and IDD waiver coordinators, self-insured employers, and direct-pay individuals.
How is an evaluation billed?
Functional capacity evaluations bill under CPT 97750 per 15 minutes against the DC, Maryland, or Virginia workers' compensation fee schedules. Attorney, employer, and direct-pay referrals are handled as a flat fee quoted before scheduling. Invoices follow report delivery.
Do you accept direct-pay and self-referred clients?
Yes. Individuals can self-refer for work capacity evaluation, fit for duty testing, and home or office ergonomics. Pricing is quoted up front with no insurance authorization required.
Can you serve as an expert witness?
Yes. We provide record review, IME rebuttal, deposition, and courtroom testimony on functional capacity, cognitive-motor performance, and return-to-work planning across the DC metropolitan area.
Location & Scheduling
Where are you located and who do you serve?
Our office is at 1680 East Gude Drive, Unit 200-E, Rockville, Maryland 20850. We evaluate claimants and employees across the DC metropolitan area, and travel on-site for job demand analysis, ergonomics, and post-offer employment testing.
How quickly can a case be scheduled?
Most evaluations are scheduled within the same week the referral is received. Referral inquiries receive a response within 24 hours.
Do you offer cognitive job demand analysis?
Yes. Any job demand analysis can include a Cognitive Job Demand Analysis addendum documenting attention, memory, executive function, and dual-task load, which is what makes return-to-work planning defensible after brain injury or stroke.
Do you offer virtual or on-site ergonomic assessments?
Both. Virtual ergonomic assessments start at $350 and include a video walkthrough plus a written report. On-site workstation, industrial job site, and coworking space audits are available throughout the DC metropolitan area.