No. 97-04
Released March 1997

TO             : Chief Executive Officers
                    Unemployment and Sickness Insurance Contact Officials

SUBJECT  : ACCEPTANCE OF MEDICAL STATEMENTS COMPLETED BY
                    CERTAIN EAPs AND SAPs FOR DRUG AND/OR
                    ALCOHOL-RELATED INFIRMITIES

The Railroad Retirement Board recently approved an amendment to Part 355.3(a) of its regulations to add Employee Assistance Professionals (EAP) and Substance Abuse Professionals (SAP) to the list of individuals authorized to execute statements of sickness and supplemental doctor's statements under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA). Because EAPs and SAPs have extensive training in the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction, and are generally responsible for monitoring an individual's outpatient treatment program, we have determined that EAPs and SAPs are qualified to provide medical evidence of an employee's inability to work because of alcohol or controlled substances-related disorders.

Effective immediately, EAPs and SAPs who are certified by either the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) or the Certified Employee Assistance Professionals (CEAP) may complete RRB statements of sickness and supplemental doctor's statements for employees who are unable to work because of drug and/or alcohol-related infirmities. We believe that this change will reduce the reporting burden for Chief Medical Officers, and provide more accurate medical information to the RRB and better service for employees.

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