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(a) The United States shall furnish to an employee who is injured while
in the performance of duty, the services, appliances, and supplies
prescribed or recommended by a qualified physician, which the Secretary of
Labor considers likely to cure, give relief, reduce the degree or the
period of disability, or aid in lessening the amount of the monthly
compensation. These services, appliances, and supplies shall be
furnished--
(1) whether or not disability has arisen;
(2) notwithstanding that the employee has accepted or is entitled to
receive benefits under subchapter III of chapter 83 of this title or
another retirement system for employees of the Government; and
(3) by or on the order of United States medical officers and hospitals,
or, at the employee's option, by or on the order of physicians and
hospitals designated or approved by the Secretary. The employee may
initially select a physician to provide medical services, appliances, and
supplies, in accordance with such regulations and instructions as the
Secretary considers necessary, and may be furnished necessary and
reasonable transportation and expenses incident to the securing of such
services, appliances, and supplies. These expenses, when authorized or
approved by the Secretary, shall be paid from the Employees' Compensation
Fund.
(b) The Secretary, under such limitations or conditions as he considers
necessary, may authorize the employing agencies to provide for the initial
furnishing of medical and other benefits under this section. The Secretary
may certify vouchers for these expenses out of the Employees' Compensation
Fund when the immediate superior of the employee certifies that the
expense was incurred in respect to an injury which was accepted by the
employing agency as probably compensable under this subchapter. The
Secretary shall prescribe the form and content of the certificate.
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