Mon–Thu 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM · (732) 738-1800
About Dr. Douglas J. Zimmel, D.C.
Dr. Douglas J. Zimmel, D.C. is a New Jersey–licensed chiropractor who has treated injured patients in Edison for 40 years. A 1986 graduate of Life Chiropractic College, he leads FedMed Care, a federal workers' compensation practice that treats injured federal employees under the Department of Labor's OWCP program and handles the medical paperwork their claims depend on.
Years in clinical practice
Life Chiropractic College graduate
Active state chiropractic license
Federal employees treated under OWCP
Four decades of treating injured workers in Middlesex County
Dr. Zimmel earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Life Chiropractic College (now Life University) in 1986 and has practiced in Edison, New Jersey ever since. Over 40 years he has treated the back, neck and musculoskeletal injuries that most often take federal employees off the job.
Work injuries for federal employees come with a second job: the claim. The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) decides what it will pay for based almost entirely on medical documentation. A missing duty-status report or a vague causation statement can stall treatment and wage-loss benefits for weeks.
That is why Dr. Zimmel built FedMed Care around both halves of a federal claim: hands-on care to get you better, and clear, timely reports that give your OWCP claims examiner what they need to approve it. His team in Edison handles the medical forms — the CA-16 physician section, CA-17 duty status reports, CA-20 attending physician reports and narrative updates — so you can focus on recovery.
The practice operates as Chiropractic Health Associates of New Jersey, LLC, offers chiropractic, rehabilitation and physical therapy services, and has English- and Spanish-speaking staff.
A DOL doctor who understands how OWCP works
Plenty of providers treat injuries. Fewer understand the rules federal workers' compensation runs on.
Documentation done right
Reports are written for the OWCP claims examiner: diagnosis, objective findings, causal relationship to your work duties and clear work restrictions.
Forms on time, every visit
CA-17 duty status reports and progress notes go out promptly, so your Continuation of Pay and wage-loss benefits are not held up by missing paperwork.
Straight answers on coverage
We explain what FECA does and does not cover before treatment starts, so there are no surprises on an accepted claim.
Coordinated care
When you need imaging, a physician's prescription or a specialist opinion, we coordinate with OWCP-enrolled physicians and orthopedists.
Evening appointments
Open until 7:00 PM Monday through Thursday — built for letter carriers, TSA officers and shift workers who can't get away mid-day.
English & Spanish
Bilingual staff help you understand your treatment plan, your forms and the next steps in your claim.
What to expect at your first appointment with Dr. Zimmel
Your first visit sets up both your recovery and your claim. Dr. Zimmel will review how the injury happened at work, examine you, review or order x-rays as needed, and explain a treatment plan and any work restrictions. Before you leave, we start the paperwork OWCP needs from your provider.
Already treating with another provider? Under FECA, your first choice of provider is yours to make, but switching later generally requires a written request to OWCP. Call us and we will explain the process.
What to bring
- Your OWCP claim number, if you have one
- Form CA-16 from your agency, if it issued one
- A copy of your CA-1 or CA-2 (or the date you filed in ECOMP)
- Your agency name and your supervisor's contact information
- Any prior x-rays, MRI reports or medical records for the injury
- Photo ID and a list of current medications
What FECA covers when you see a chiropractor
Under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act, OWCP reimburses a chiropractor's services for manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation demonstrated by x-ray. A chiropractor may provide physical therapy under FECA when it is prescribed by a qualified physician.
In practice, that means Dr. Zimmel will document x-ray findings carefully and, when your injury needs care outside that scope, coordinate with an OWCP-enrolled physician so your treatment and your claim stay aligned. Being upfront about these rules protects you from denied bills and gaps in care.
Dr. Zimmel and FedMed Care: the facts
| Provider | Douglas J. Zimmel, D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic) |
|---|---|
| Education | Life Chiropractic College (now Life University), 1986 |
| License | Chiropractor, State of New Jersey (active) |
| Individual NPI | 1104942879 |
| Practice | FedMed Care · Chiropractic Health Associates of New Jersey, LLC (NPI 1144346511) |
| Patients | Federal employees injured at work under FECA / OWCP, including USPS, TSA, VA, CBP, Bureau of Prisons and DoD civilian staff |
| Address | 295 Pierson Ave, Suite 101, Edison, NJ 08837 |
| Phone | (732) 738-1800 |
| Hours | Monday – Thursday, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Languages | English, Spanish (staff) |
Questions about Dr. Zimmel
Who is Dr. Douglas Zimmel?
Dr. Douglas J. Zimmel, D.C., is a New Jersey–licensed chiropractor in Edison, NJ with 40 years of clinical experience. He leads FedMed Care, which treats federal employees injured at work under the Department of Labor's OWCP program.
Where did Dr. Zimmel train?
Dr. Zimmel earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Life Chiropractic College, now Life University, in 1986.
Does Dr. Zimmel treat federal employees under OWCP?
Yes. FedMed Care treats civilian federal employees with work-related injuries under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act and completes the medical forms OWCP requires from providers, including the CA-17 and CA-20.
Can I switch to Dr. Zimmel from my current OWCP provider?
Usually, yes, but after your initial choice of provider, a change generally requires a written request to OWCP and its approval. Call (732) 738-1800 and our team will explain the process.
Where is Dr. Zimmel's office?
FedMed Care is at 295 Pierson Ave, Suite 101, Edison, NJ 08837, open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. It serves federal employees across Middlesex County and Central New Jersey.
Ready to see Dr. Zimmel?
Call to book with Dr. Zimmel. Our team will check your OWCP claim status, explain your forms and get you on the schedule.
(732) 738-1800295 Pierson Ave, Suite 101
Edison, NJ 08837
Mon – Thu: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
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