PERAC Physician Statement
A PERAC physician statement is a medical documentation form required by the Massachusetts Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission (PERAC) to support disability retirement applications for public employees in Massachusetts.
Purpose and Function
The PERAC physician statement serves as the primary medical evidence to establish whether a public employee meets the legal criteria for disability retirement benefits. This document must demonstrate that the employee has a permanent physical or mental condition that prevents them from performing the essential duties of their position.
Key Components Required
The physician completing a PERAC statement must provide:
Detailed diagnosis with supporting objective findings - The statement requires specific medical diagnoses with corresponding clinical examination findings, laboratory results, imaging studies, or other objective medical evidence that substantiates the claimed disability 1
Functional capacity assessment - The physician must evaluate and document the employee's current functional limitations and how these specifically prevent performance of job duties, similar to competency assessments required for clinical privileges 1
Permanency determination - The statement must address whether the condition is permanent or likely to improve, as disability retirement typically requires permanent incapacity 1
Causation and work-relatedness - If applicable, the physician should document whether the condition arose from or was aggravated by job duties 2
Clinical Approach to Completion
When completing a PERAC physician statement, physicians should:
Base all conclusions on objective medical evidence rather than solely on patient self-report - Similar to how clinical competence must be demonstrated through documented skills and outcomes rather than training completion alone 1
Clearly link medical findings to specific job requirements - The physician must understand the essential functions of the employee's position and explain precisely how medical limitations prevent these duties 1
Avoid speculation about future conditions - Focus on current, documented impairments rather than hypothetical future scenarios, consistent with ADA-compliant medical assessments 3
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Insufficient objective documentation - Statements based primarily on subjective complaints without supporting objective findings are typically insufficient for disability determination 1
Vague functional limitations - General statements like "unable to work" without specific functional restrictions tied to job requirements weaken the application 1
Overstepping medical expertise - Physicians should describe medical limitations but avoid making legal determinations about disability status, which is PERAC's role 2