Source: http://www.dol.gov/owcp/dfec/regs/compliance/DFECfolio/FECABulletins/FY2001-2005.htm
Timestamp: 2015-07-31 23:35:16
Document Index: 441532934

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 5', '§ 1588', '§ 1588', 'art 5', '§10', 'art 5']

DOL Home > OWCP > DFEC > DFEC Procedure Manual > FECA Bulletins > Fiscal Years 2001-2005
FECA Bulletins (2001-2005)
Medical Exams/IME: Security of Case Records During the Referral Process
BPS - Central Bill Processing System - Interim Responses to Requests for Medical
Fiscal - Change of Lockbox Depository Effective December 15, 2004
FECA Bulletin No. 05-04
Compensation Pay: Compensation Rate Changes Effective January 2005
Back to FECA Bulletins (2001-2005) Table of Contents
FECA Bulletin No. 04-01
Case File Management/Jurisdiction-Special Act Cases
FECA Bulletin No. 04-02
ADP - Automated Compensation Payment System (ACPS) Schedule for 2004
FECA Bulletin No. 04-03
Employee – Authorized Providers of Military Honors Funeral Support
FECA Bulletin No. 04-04
BPS - Revision in the reimbursement Rates Payable for the Use of Privately Owned
Autombiles Necessary to Secure Medical Examination and Treatment
FECA Bulletin No. 04-05
Adjudication of Claims - Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
BCT-FY04.nfo
Disaster Assistance Employees (DAE)
FECA Bulletin No. 04-06
BPS-OWCP-915 - Medical Reimbursement Form and Instructions
FECA Bulletin No. 04-07
Compensation Pay: Compensation Rate Changes Effective January 2004
FECA Bulletin No. 03-01
Compensation Orders/Letter Decisions - Signature Authority for Journey Level
GS-12 and Senior Claims Examiners
FECA Bulletin No. 03-02
BPS - Revision in the Reimbursement Rates Payable for the Use of Privately
Owned Automobiles Necessary to Secure Medical Examination and Treatment
FECA Bulletin No. 03-03
ADP - Automated Compensation Payment System (ACPS) Schedule for 2003
FECA Bulletin No. 03-04
Compensation Pay: Compensation Rate Changes Effective January 2003
FECA Bulletin No. 03-05
Comp Pay/ACPS - Consumer Price Index (CPI) Cost-of-Living Adjustments for
FECA Bulletin No. 03-06
ADP - Code It Fast I-9 Coding Tool
FECA Bulletin No. 03-07
Development and Adjudication of Claims for War-Risk Hazard Cases
FECA Bulletin No. 03-08
Medical Exams/IME: Board Certified Osteopathic Physicians in the PDS
(Physicians Directory System)
FECA Bulletin No. 03-09
BPS - OWCP-957 – Medical Travel Refund Request Form and Instructions for
Submitting OWCP-957
FECA Bulletin No. 03-10
Fiscal - Change of Lockbox Depository Effective March 19, 2003
FECA Bulletin No. 03-11
Forms – Foreign Payment Worksheet
FECA Bulletin No. 03-12
BPS - Operational Guidelines for the Central Bill Processing system
FECA Bulletin No. 02-01
FECA Bulletin 02-01 (not published)
FECA Bulletin No. 02-02
FECA Bulletin No. 02-03
Case Management - Authorization of Physical Therapy
FECA Bulletin No. 02-04
Revised procedures for processing work-related injury claims filed by employees of
the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs and their relatives in the Midwest
(formerly Chicago) Region
FECA Bulletin No. 02-05
Comp Pay/ACPS – Employing Agency Action to Notify DFEC of Claimant
Ineligibility for Continuing Life Insurance
FECA Bulletin No. 02-06
Compensation Pay - Compensation Rate Changes Effective January 2002
FECA Bulletin No. 02-07
FECA Bulletin No. 02-08
BPS -Revision in the Reimbursement Rates Payable for TheUse of Privately Owned
Automobiles(POV) Necessary to Secure Medical Examination and Treatment
FECA Bulletin No. 02-09
FECA Bulletin 02-09 (not published)
FECA Bulletin No. 02-10
Bill Payment-Physical Therapy Multiple Initial Evaluations
FECA Bulletin No. 01-01
Bill Payment/BPS - "Real-Time" Pharmacy (12/00A)
FECA Bulletin No. 01-02
Bill Payment/BPS - Modifications to Inpatient Hospital Bill Procedures (12/00A)
FECA Bulletin No. 01-03
Bill Payment/BPS - Prior Authorization for Pharmacy (01/01A)
FECA Bulletin No. 01-04
Periodic Roll Management: Evidence of Earnings (01/01A)
FECA Bulletin No. 01-05
Impairment/Schedule Awards: Fifth Edition of the AMA Guides to the Evaluation
of Permanent Impairment (02/01A)
FECA Bulletin No. 01-06
Compensation Pay: Compensation Rate Changes Effective January 2001 (02/01A)
FECA Bulletin No. 01-07
Automobiles Necessary to Secure Medical Examination and Treatment. (02/01A)
FECA Bulletin No. 01-08
Comp Pay - Extra Pay for Firefighters
FECA Bulletin No. 01-09
COP Nurse Intervention (02/01B)
FECA Bulletin No. 01-10
Bill Pay/BPS - Sampling of Bills
FECA Bulletin No. 01-11
Medical- - Use of Physicians Directory System (PDS)
Issue Date: December 3, 2004
Expiration Date: December 3, 2005
Subject: Medical Exams/IME: Security of Case Records During the Referral Process
Background: The OWCP policy of sending the original case record to the office of the medical specialist performing an impartial medical examination (IME) to resolve a conflict has occasionally resulted in the loss of the claimant's case record. In situations where the case record is fully imaged, the district office merely prints a copy of the case from OASIS. Currently, however, many of the cases requiring an impartial medical examination are in hybrid form, i.e., partially paper and partially imaged. In these cases, the original part of the case record, which is the paper portion, continues to present the problem of possible loss during the transport to and from the physician's office. In light of the foregoing, OWCP has determined that continuing to send the original paper portion of the case record out of the district office represents an unacceptable risk to the security of case records for which the Office is the legal custodian.
References: FECA Procedure Manual Chapter 3-0500.5 and Chapter 2-0810.13.
Purpose: To implement new procedures with respect to the imaging and printing case records prior to referral of the case for an impartial medical examination (IME).
1. Effective immediately the Office will no longer send the original of the paper portion of a hybrid case out of the office for an impartial medical evaluation.
2. The district office can choose to either scan the paper portion of the case into OASIS locally or to provide the impartial medical examiner with a photocopy. The original paper portion of the case file is the official record. Therefore, the original documents must be retained by the district office and handled in accordance with current record retention regulations.
3. If the paper portion of the case is scanned into OASIS locally, the original paper documents should be imaged with a received-date equivalent to the date that the district office "went live" on OASIS. Document indexing of this portion of the imaged record will not be required.
3. Once the hybrid cases are fully imaged, the district offices will send only printed copies of imaged cases for the purpose of review by an IME, or future uses.
The above described procedures will be effective upon the release of this bulletin. Please ensure that proper notification/training is provided to district office personnel that are affected.
JAMES L. DEMARCE
Distribution: List No. 1, Folioviews Groups A and D (Claims Examiners, All Supervisors, District Medical Advisors, Technical Assistants, Rehabilitation Specialists, and Staff Nurses)
Back to Top of FECA Bulletin No. 05-01
Issue Date: February 1, 2005
Expiration Date: February 1, 2006
Subject: BPS - Central Bill Processing System - Interim Responses to Requests for Medical Authorization
Background: Currently, medical providers requesting prior authorization for medical services do not receive a response from ACS or the responsible claims examiner (RCE) when additional development must be undertaken. The current process leaves the requesting medical provider without any information concerning the status of the authorization request. In addition, ACS is unable to provide any information concerning the authorization request to callers.
In order to facilitate communication on these issues, OWCP will advise ACS that further medical development is being undertaken. Effective February 7, 2005, ACS will begin to enter a code into the authorization system which will denote that further medical development is in process. Also, an interim response will be given to the provider who has requested authorization for medical procedures.
Reference: "How to Resolve Threads" (see OWCP Central Bill Intranet Site), PM 2-0810, PM 3-0500, PM 2-600-3.
Purpose: To provide procedures for issuing interim response letters to providers requesting authorization for medical procedures.
Applicability: Claims Examiners, Senior Claims Examiners, All Claims Supervisors, Medical Schedulers, District Medical Advisors, Technical Assistants, System Managers, Staff Nurses, Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists, Communications Specialists, Fiscal Operations Specialists, Medical Coding Specialists, and Customer Service Representatives.
1. Interim responses will be issued to medical providers by ACS when the RCE is not able to approve a requested procedure. The thread will be returned to ACS by the RCE within three workdays of receipt. ACS will update the thread status to reflect "further development" (F). ACS will also update its authorization request files with this information.
2. ACS will generate a letter to the provider stating that the requested medical service cannot be approved at this time and that additional medical development is being undertaken by OWCP. The RCE will have 7 days from the day the thread is sent back to ACS to initiate the development.
3. Each additional step in the development process should be initiated within 14 calendar days of completion of the previous step. For example, if the DMA returns his/her opinion and it is determined that a SECOP is needed, the RCE should initiate the SECOP process within 14 calendar days of the DMA's opinion. Regular SECOP and IME procedures for notifying the claimant remain in effect and are not changed with this Bulletin.
4. If the RCE determines that a formal decision denying the authorization request is appropriate, he or she will issue the decision to the injured worker. The RCE will send a thread to ACS advising that the authorization has been denied. A copy of the formal decision will not be sent to the provider.
5. All threads can be viewed in Omni-Track by office, unit, or CE based on user level. The instructions for locating threads can be found on the help site under the category "Threads," followed by the sub-category "How to Find Threads."
Distribution: List No. 3 Folioviews Groups A, B, C, and D (All FECA Employees)
Back to Top of FECA Bulletin No. 05-02
Expiration Date: February 14, 2006
Subject: Fiscal - Change of Lockbox Depository Effective December 15, 2004.
Background: In March 2003, the U.S. Treasury/Financial Management Service (FMS) received bids from various financial institutions on the contract to provide lockbox services to all federal agencies. These initial bids were limited to Regions 4 and 5, and were finalized in October 2004, when the contract for services was awarded to Citibank. As a result, certain DFEC lockbox accounts will no longer reside with Bank of America and instead will be serviced by Citibank.
Purpose: To inform the appropriate personnel of the change in lockbox depository addresses, ensuring the proper processing of all incoming cash receipts.
Applicability: Appropriate National and District Office personnel. This includes each district office that previously had a lockbox account with Bank of America of San Francisco, California (Denver - D.O. 12; San Francisco - D.O. 13; and Seattle - D.O. 14) or Bank of America of Dallas, Texas (Kansas City - D.O. 11 and Dallas - D.O. 16). All DFEC lockboxes with an account through Bank of America of Atlanta, Georgia are not affected and their depository accounts will remain the same. Contracts for the remaining regions will be bid upon in 2005. The current list of all DFEC lockboxes is attached to this publication.
1. All letters requesting that payment be mailed directly to the lockbox depository should be changed immediately. All letters pertaining to overpayment decisions (CA-2223, CA-2225, and the CA-9000 series) should be changed at each district office to reflect the new lockbox address as detailed in the attached listing.
2.	The DFEC System Managers have already been notified f the needed address change via e-mail, and should have modified the district office's "v44_lb_addr table". This update will also automatically update the Letter Generator System (LGS), since the LGS retrieves the lockbox addresses from this part of the v44 table through "letters.cgi" when the "Generate Letter" button is clicked.
3.	All other appropriate district office personnel, including designated third party examiners, must be made aware of the local lockbox address change.
4.	Deposits sent to old lockbox addresses will only be forwarded to Citibank for approximately six months. The affected district offices must therefore make every effort to notify and update any individuals or organizations that are currently sending cash deposits to their lockboxes.
5.	All deposits mailed from the district office to the lockbox after December 15, 2004, should be mailed to the new lockbox address.
6.	It will also be necessary for each district office to identify all Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and salary off-sets that are currently being mailed directly to their lockbox. The Cash Receipts Register will serve as a source for quick identification of such deposits. Notices must be sent to OPM and/or the employing agency immediately.
7.	Deposit transactions will be made in the same manner as those with Bank of America. Transaction data will be sent from Citibank to the district offices via FedEx. "Zero Activity" reports from Citibank will not be forwarded, only daily reporting with actual deposit activity. In addition, daily "zero activity" notices will be sent via first-class mail, rather than FedEx. The date of deposit will continue to be the Treasury confirmation date.
The DFEC contact person at Citibank for all questions or concerns is Bonnie Coffield. Ms. Coffield can be reached by telephone at (302) 324-6484, and by e-mail at bonnie.l.coffield@citigroup.com. The Treasury/FMS contact for the lockboxes is John Schmid, who may be reached at (202) 874-7026, and by e-mail at John.Schmid@fms.treas.gov.
Distribution: List No. 2--Folioviews Groups A and D (Claims Examiners, All Supervisors, Systems Managers, District Medical Advisors, Technical Assistants, Rehabilitation Specialists, and Fiscal and Bill Pay Personnel)
Attachment to FB 05-03
LOCKBOX DEPOSITY ADDRESSES – DECEMBER 2004
Boston District Office:
U.S. Dept. of Labor – DFEC Boston
P.O. Box 403498
Atlanta, GA 30384-3498
New York District Office:
U.S. Dept. of Labor – DFEC New York
P.O. Box 403484
Atlanta, GA 30384-3484
Philadelphia District Office:
U.S. Dept. of Labor – DFEC Philadelphia
P.O. Box 403471
Atlanta, GA 30384-3471
U.S. Dept. of Labor – DFEC Jacksonville
P.O. Box 403376
Atlanta, GA 30384-3376
Cleveland District Office:
U.S. Dept. of Labor – DFEC Cleveland
P.O. Box 403459
Atlanta, GA 30384-3459
U.S. Dept. of Labor – DFEC Chicago
P.O. Box 403449
Atlanta, GA 30384-3449
Kansas City District Office:
Kansas City FECA Office
P.O. Box 894227
Los Angeles, CA 90189-4227
Denver District Office:
Denver FECA Office
P.O. Box 894204
Los Angeles, CA 90189-4204
San Francisco District Office:
San Francisco FECA Office
P.O. Box 894221
Los Angeles, CA 90189-4221
Seattle District Office:
Seattle FECA Office
P.O. Box 894212
Los Angeles, CA 90189-4212
Dallas District Office:
Dallas FECA Office
P.O. Box 894225
Los Angeles, CA 90189-4225
Washington D.C. District Office:
U.S. Dept. of Labor – DFEC Washington D.C.
P.O. Box 403431
Atlanta, GA 30384-3431
U.S. Dept. of Labor – DFEC National Office
P.O. Box 403356
Atlanta, GA 30384-3356
Back to Top of FECA Bulletin No. 05-03
Issue Date: April 10, 2005
Expiration Date: April 10, 2006
Subject: Compensation Pay: Compensation Rate Changes Effective January 2005.
Background: On December 30, 2004, the President signed an Executive Order implementing a salary increase of 2.50 percent in the basic pay for the General Schedule. The applicability under 5 U.S.C. 8112 only includes the 2.50 percent increase in the basic General Schedule. Any percent increase for locality-based pay is excluded.
Purpose: To inform the appropriate personnel of the increased minimum/maximum compensation rates and the adjustment procedures for affected cases on the periodic disability and death payrolls.
The new rates were effective with the first compensation payroll period beginning on or after January 1, 2005, making January 9, 2005 the effective date of the increase. The new maximum compensation rate payable is based on the scheduled salary of a GS-15, Step 10, which is now $116,517 per annum. The basis for the minimum compensation rate is the salary of $18,007 per annum (GS-2, Step 1). The minimum increase specified in this Bulletin is applicable to Postal employees.
Effective January 9, 2005
$6,722.12
Effective January 12, 2004
Reference: Memorandum for Executive Heads of Departments and Agencies dated December 30, 2004, and the attachment for the 2005 General Schedule
Action: ACPS will update the periodic disability and death payrolls. Any cases with gross overrides will not have a supplemental record created. Thus, the cases with gross overrides must be reviewed to determine if adjustments are necessary. If adjustment is necessary, a manual calculation will be required.
1. Adjustments Dates.
a. As the effective date of the adjustment was January 9, 2005, there was no supplemental payroll needed for the periodic disability and death rolls.
b. The new minimum/maximum compensation rates were available in ACPS on January 20, 2005.
2. Adjustment of Daily Roll Payments. The salary adjustments are not retroactive, so it is assumed that all Federal agencies have ample time to receive and report the new pay rates on claims for compensation filed on or after January 1, 2005. Therefore, it is not necessary to review any of these payments. However, if an inquiry is received, verification of the pay rate must be secured from the employing establishment and the necessary adjustment applied.
3. Minimum and Maximum Adjustment Listings. Form CA-842, Minimum Compensation Pay Rates, and Form CA-843, Maximum Compensation Rates, should be annotated with the new rate information as follows:
CA-842 – 01/03/05
51.94-77.91
259.72-389.55
259.72(1,038.88)
51.94-69.28
259.72-346.38
CA-843 – 01/03/05
1,680.53(6,722.12)
4. Forms. CP-150, Minimum/Maximum Compensation, was generated for each case adjusted. It should be noted that this adjustment process re-calculates EVERY ACPS record from very beginning to current date, thus, it may be that minor changes in the gross compensation are noted; this is not necessarily incorrect. Notices to all payees receiving periodic compensation payments were generated, informing them of potential changes to their compensation benefits.
The notices were sent as an attachment to the Benefit Statement generated after each periodic cycle. Manual adjustments necessary because of gross overrides should be made on Forms CA-24 or CA-25 with a notice sent to the payee by the District Office.
Distribution: List No 2:- -Folioviews Groups A and D (Claims Examiners, All Supervisors, Systems Managers, District Medical Advisors, Technical Assistants, Rehabilitation Specialists, and Fiscal and Bill Pay Personnel)
Back to Top of FECA Bulletin No. 05-04
Expiration Date: November 28, 2004 Subject: Case File Management/Jurisdiction-Special Act Cases
Background: Current procedures require that all claims for benefits under the War Claims Act (WC), War Hazards Compensation Act (WH), and those filed by members of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) be adjudicated and managed in the National Operations Office (NOO). In addition, current procedures require that all claims filed by returned Peace Corps volunteers be processed and serviced in the NOO until they have been adjudicated, after which they may be transferred to the district office that has general jurisdiction.
Reference: Federal (FECA) Procedure Manual, Chapter 1-200-2 and Chapter 1-200-3.
Purpose: To transfer jurisdiction for all claims filed under the War Claims Act and War Hazards Compensation Act or filed by ROTC cadets (TC) or returned Peace Corps volunteers from the NO (District 25) to the Cleveland District Office (District 9)
Applicability: Regional Directors, District Directors, Claims Examiners, All Supervisors, Systems Managers, Technical Assistants, Rehabilitations Specialists, and Staff Nurses.
1. Effective immediately, all claims filed by returned Peace Corps volunteers and ROTC cadets, as well as those filed under the War Claims Act and the War Hazards Compensation Act, fall under the jurisdiction of, and should be filed in District 9. All TC, WC and WH claims will be adjudicated and maintained in District 9. New claims for returned Peace Corps volunteers will be adjudicated in District 9. Accepted Peace Corps cases will be transferred to the district office having general jurisdiction.
2. The NOO will forward all existing case files involving War Claims, War Hazards, and ROTC cadets to District 9. Previously accepted Peace Corps cases will be transferred to the district office having general jurisdiction.
3. All mail should continue to be sent to our central mailroom in London, Kentucky. All questions concerning medical bill payment or pre-authorization for medical services should continue to be routed to our central bill processor through either the internet at http://owcp.dol.acs-inc.com, or by telephone at (866) 335-8319.
4. The Cleveland district office address is:
1240 East 9th Street, Room 851
Disposition: This Bulletin should be retained until incorporated into the Federal (FECA) Procedure Manual, or otherwise superseded.
DEBORAH B. SANFORD
Distribution: List No. 1--Folioviews Groups A,B,C,D (Regional Directors, District Directors, Claims Examiners, All Supervisors, Systems Managers, Technical Assistants, Rehabilitation Specialists, and Staff Nurses)
Back to Top of FECA Bulletin No. 04-01
Issue Date: December 5, 2003
Expiration Date: December 5, 2004
Subject: ADP - Automated Compensation Payment System (ACPS) Schedule for 2004.
Purpose: To provide the 2004 schedule for processing the periodic disability and death payrolls under the ACPS for calendar year 2004.
Applicability: Appropriate National Office and District Office personnel that need to be aware of both the periods and "cut-off" dates for the ACPS periodic disability, death, and weekly payrolls.
Disposition: This Bulletin should be retained in front of Part 5, Benefit Payments, Federal (FECA) Procedure Manual, until the indicated expiration date.
Distribution: List No. 2 -- Folioviews Groups A and D Claims Examiners, All Supervisors, Systems Managers, District Medical Advisors, Technical Assistants, Rehabilitation Specialists, and Fiscal/Bill Pay Personnel)
AUTOMATED COMPENSATION SYSTEM (ACPS) - 2004
FECA DISABILITY PAYROLL - EACH 28 DAYS
FECA DEATH PAYROLL - EACH 28 DAYS
TO INSURANCE PURPOSES
DATE TO TREASURY
12/28/03– 01/24/04
12/28/03 – 01/10/04
01/11/04 – 01/24/04
01/25/04 – 02/21/04
01/25/04 – 02/07/04
02/08/04 – 02/21/04
02/22/04 – 03/20/04
02/22/04 – 03/06/04
03/07/04 – 03/20/04
03/21/04 – 04/17/04
03/21/04 – 04/03/04
04/04/04 – 04/17/04
04/18/04 – 05/15/04
04/18/04 – 05/01/04
05/02/04 – 05/15/04
05/16/04 – 06/12/04
05/16/04 – 05/29/04
05/30/04 – 06/12/04
06/13/04 – 07/10/04
06/13/04 – 06/26/04
06/27/04 – 07/10/04
07/11/04 – 08/07/04
07/11/04 – 07/24/04
07/25/04 – 08/07/04
08/08/04 – 09/04/04
08/08/04 – 08/21/04
08/22/04 – 09/04/04
09/05/04 – 10/02/04
09/05/04 – 09/18/04
09/19/04 – 10/02/04
10/03/04 – 10/30/04
10/03/04 – 10/16/04
10/17/04 – 10/30/04
10/31/04 – 11/27/04
10/31/04 – 11/13/04
11/14/04 – 11/27/04
11/28/04 – 12/25/04
11/28/04 – 12/11/04
12/12/04 - 12/25/04
12/26-04 – 01/22/05
12/26/04 – 01/08/05
01/09/05 - 01/22/05
*ENDING PERIOD IS THE CHECK DATE
FOR EFT PAYMENTS, THE CHECK DATE WILL BE FRIDAY
********FECA DAILY ROLL SCHEDULE (WEEKLY)********
DISTRICT OFFICE CUT-OFF DATE
N.O. TRANSMISSION TO
TO ENTER DATA INTO ACPS
Back to Top of FECA Bulletin No. 04-02
Expiration Date: January 5, 2005 Subject: Employee "Authorized Providers" of Military Honors Funeral Support
Background: On January11, 2001, the Department of Defense (DOD) issued Directive 1300.15 setting forth a list of "authorized providers" who could serve as part of an honor guard for the purpose of rendering military funeral support to eligible beneficiaries, upon request. Further, the military services are encouraged to provide elements of honors and use additional uniformed members or other "authorized providers" to augment the funeral honors detail for this purpose. Included among the "authorized providers" are Veterans Service Organizations (VSO), members of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and other appropriate individuals and organizations that support the rendering of Military Funeral Honors.
Purpose: To provide guidance regarding the handling of claims of individuals rendering military funeral support as authorized providers.
Reference: FECA Procedure Manual Chapters 4-0600 and 2-0802; Title5U.S.C. 8140(a) and 8101(1)(B); 10U.S.C. § 1588(e)(4) of the Fair Labor Standards Act; and DODDirective 1300.15. Applicability: All claims personnel in the National Office and the district offices. Actions:
1. FECA coverage is afforded to members of ROTC, VSO, and other appropriate individuals and organizations ("authorized providers") which support the rendering of Military Funeral Honors. Authorized providers may complement a Military Funeral Honors detail by rendering additional elements of honors such as a firing party, pallbearers, bugler, or color guard, and the ceremonial folding and presentation of the American flag.
2. It is important for claims staff to note the distinction between coverage under 8101(1)(B) of the FECA as an "authorized provider" and "line of duty" coverage for ROTC members under 8140(a). "Authorized providers" are considered to be civil employees of the United States within the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 8101 (1)(B) when augmenting an Armed Forces Military Funeral Honors detail in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 1588(e). Section 8101(1)(B) refers to persons rendering service to the United States without pay or for nominal pay. As such, the pay rate of authorized providers of funeral honors support, including ROTC members, is determined in accordance with the provisions of 10U.S.C. 1588(d)(4).
3. All claims for benefits by "authorized providers," including ROTC, VSO members and other appropriate individuals and organizations, which support the rendering of military funeral honors, are to be jacketed, adjudicated and maintained in the district office that is local to the employee's duty station. After adjudication, the claimant's home address determines where further processing will occur. The only exception to this policy is where the claimant lives much closer to the DO serving the area of the duty station than to the DO serving the area of residence.
4. If OWCP receives a claim in which the claimant's status as an "authorized provider" is unclear, the CE should contact the appropriate military department, in writing, to ascertain the particular facts prior to the adjudication of the claim. The Secretary of a military department maintains the documentation supporting that an individual is recognized as an "authorized provider."
5. If the CE determines that further development is necessary, he or she must obtain documentation (for the case in the form of a certificate or other appropriate record) which recognizes the claimant as an "authorized provider" of military funeral honors support.
6. The pay rate for all "authorized providers" rendering military funeral honors support is the average monthly number of hours of services provided, times the then prevailing minimum wage under Section 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, 10 U.S.C. § 1588(d)(4).
7. A brief training should held within 30 days of this issuance to ensure that appropriate practices are implemented.
Disposition: Retain until the indicated expiration date or until incorporated in the FECA Procedure Manual.
Distribution: List No. 1-Folioviews Groups A and D(Claims Examiners, All Supervisors, District Medical Advisors, Systems Managers, Technical Assistants, Rehabilitation Specialist and Staff Nurses)
Back to Top of FECA Bulletin No. 04-03
Expiration Date: December 31, 2005
Subject: BPS - Revision in the Reimbursement Rates Payable for the Use of Privately Owned Automobiles Necessary to Secure Medical Examination and Treatment.
Background: Effective January 1, 2004, the mileage rate for reimbursement to Federal employees traveling by privately-owned automobile increased to 37.5 cents per mile by GSA. No restriction is made as to the number of miles that can be traveled. As in the past, determination has been made to apply the applicable rate to disabled FECA beneficiaries traveling to secure necessary medical examination and treatment.
Reference: Chapter 5-0204, Principles of Bill Adjudication, Part 5, Benefit Payments, Federal (FECA) Procedure Manual; Instructions for Submitting Form OWCP-957, Medical Travel Refund Request (For reimbursement of travel and related expenses under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act); and 5 USC 8103.
Action: Instructions for Submitting Form OWCP-957, Medical Travel Refund Request (For reimbursement of travel and related expenses under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act), has been revised to reflect the indicated rate change. A copy of the revised instructions is attached to this bulletin and may be reproduced at local levels. Vouchers being processed for travel periods after January 1, 2004 may be adjusted to reflect this increase.
Disposition: This Bulletin should be retained in Chapter 5 - 0404, Principles of Bill Adjudication, Federal (FECA) Procedure Manual.
Distribution: List No. 2 --- Folioviews Groups A and D (Claims Examiners, All Supervisors, Systems Managers, District Medical Advisors, Technical Assistants, Rehabilitation Specialists, and Fiscal/Bill Pay Personnel)
Instruction for Submitting Form OWCP-957
(For reimbursement of travel and related expenses
under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act)
Note: Any item not in conformity with the following instructions and not legible will be deducted from the voucher. Form OWCP-957 MUST be submitted with a valid case file number.
1. Claim for necessary and reasonable expense incident to travel authorized in accordance with provisions of the Federal Employees Compensation Act may be submitted for consideration on Form OWCP-957. Travel must be by shortest route and, if practicable, by public conveyance (streetcar, bus, boat, or train). Generally, 25 miles from the place of injury, the work site, or the employee's home, is considered a reasonable distance to travel.
2. The Office will promptly reimburse all bills received on the approved form and submitted in a timely manner. However, no bill will be paid for expenses incurred if the bill is submitted more than one year beyond the calendar year in which the expense was incurred or the service/supply was provided, or more than one year beyond the calendar year in which the claim was first accepted by the Office, whichever is later (20 CFR §10.803)
3. Payment will be made for taxicab fare or the hire of special conveyance where streetcars, buses, or other public and regular means of transportation are not available, except where these cannot be used because of the injured employee's disability. If claim is made for payment of expenses for taxicabs in excess of $75 or hire of special conveyances, prior authorization is required.
4. Reimbursement for transportation by automobile owned by an employee or a member of his/her immediate family or another Government employee may be claimed when no public conveyance is available or where the physical condition of the injured employee requires the use of special conveyance. Mileage expenses will be reimbursed at the GSA rate in effect on the date of travel. Mileage expenses will be reimbursed at the following rates for travel during the following periods:
January 1, 1995 to June 6, 1996
June 7, 1996 to September 7, 1998
September 8, 1998 to March 31, 1999
April 1, 1999 to January 13, 2000
January 14, 2000 to January 21, 2001
January 22, 2001 to January 20, 2002
January 21, 2002 to December 31, 2002
January 1, 2003 and after
30.0 cents per mile
31.0 cents per mile
34.5 cents per mile
36.5 cents per mile
If mileage expense is claimed prior to January 1, 1995, contact your OWCP district office for rates.
5. Claim may be made for parking fees. If travel must be over a toll route, toll charges may be claimed. The form must show the locations where travel began and ended and mode of travel. List each item of expense separately, showing the date incurred, place and cost of the travel.
6. There will be no reimbursement for meals or lodging when travel is for less than 12 hours in total or fewer than 500 miles round trip. If the authorized travel was for longer than 12 hours or greater than 500 miles, and a claim for meals or lodging is made, the dates and hours must be shown on the form. Lodging must receive prior authorization. All charges must be reasonable, and will be reimbursed at the per diem rate for the locality of travel. Any stopover or delay en route must receive prior authorization.
7. If several trips are covered by the same form, list each separately in the spaces provided on the form. Original itemized receipts for amounts in excess of $75 claimed in 5f, 6f and 7f must be furnished.
8. After a Form OWCP-957 has been completed, it must be signed in ink or indelible pencil in the space provided for the payee.
9. The completed form should be mailed to: U.S. Department of Labor, DFEC Central Mailroom, PO Box 8300, London, KY 40742-8300.
10. The form should not be submitted if there is no expense claimed.
Back to Top of FECA Bulletin No. 04-04
Issue Date: May 16, 2004
Subject: Adjudication of Claims - Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Assistance Employees (DAE).
Background: The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Act, P.L. 93-288, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 5121, et. seq. authorizes the FEMA to hire DAEs, by appointment affidavit (contract), to respond to disasters. DAEs have been defined as civil employees under the FECA (FECA PM 2-802). The duration of appointments range from 120 days to 24 months.
There are two types of DAEs: (1) reservists, who are hired on an on-call basis for a two month period, but who must be in a non-pay status for a minimum cumulative period of six months; and (2) local hires, who are hired for a period of 120 days. Both sets of employees are available for work during their respective appointment periods, but are only paid when called for active duty, e.g. travel assignments. As such, DAEs would be classified by OPM as temporary on call employees and would likely be afforded only limited qualified work in a year before a covered injury.
Purpose: To provide guidance on determining COP eligibility, the calculation of pay rates, and determining whether an election of benefits is needed (in the cases of re-employed annuitants) for FEMA DAE employees.
Reference: FECA Procedure Manual 2-807, 2-900, 2-1000-4(a), 20 C.F.R. 10.222(a) (5) and Title 5 U.S.C.8114 (d).
Applicability: All National Office staff and district office claims personnel.
1. COP is available to DAEs throughout the course of their appointment period regardless of their "on call" status. Specifically, DAE reservists are on call for a two year period. Although they may not be in a pay status for the full on call period, FEMA instructions state that the reservist is "carried on FEMA personnel rolls for a 24 month period expiring September 30, of every even numbered year."
Accordingly, since reservists are considered employees of FEMA throughout the two year period, COP eligibility ends upon the expiration of that two year term, and not at the end of any period where the reservists might have been called up to active duty. Similarly, the 120 day local hires, though not necessarily in pay status during the 120 day period, are carried on FEMA personnel rolls for that entire period. Therefore, they are eligible for COP during the entire period of their temporary employment.
2. Due to the temporary nature of a DAE's work and the presumably limited, non guaranteed work opportunities available, the pay rate for most DAEs should be determined pursuant to 5 U.S.C 8114(d)(3) and the Federal (FECA) Procedure Manual 2-900-4(c). The claims examiner must establish the pay rate for compensation purposes through the calculation and comparison of (1) the worker's actual earnings throughout the year, including similar non-Federal employment; (2) the yearly earnings of similarly situated employees, using earnings information from such similarly situated employees working the greatest number of hours during the year prior to the injury, in the same or neighboring locality; and (3) the average daily rate of the DAE's regular daily pay schedule or the local prevailing wage rate for the local hires) multiplied by 150 ("150 times" formula). The highest of the three pay rate calculations is selected as the annual rate of pay (2-900-4(c) and is divided by 365 to compute the daily pay rate.
3. A DAE who qualifies as a re-employed annuitant must make an election of benefits between FECA and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) benefits. Section 8116(a) of the FECA requires a claimant who is entitled to FECA disability benefits and retirement benefits from OPM to make an election or choice of benefits. This includes OPM annuitants that have been re-employed while still receiving retirement benefits from OPM.
Distribution: List No. 1-Folioviews Groups A and D (Claims Examiners, All Supervisors, District Medical Advisors, Systems Managers, Technical Assistants, Rehabilitation Specialists and Staff Nurses)
Back to Top of FECA Bulletin No. 04-05
Subject: BPS-OWCP-915 - Medical Reimbursement Form and Instructions
Background: Effective March 31, 2004, new Form OWCP-915 should be submitted by all FECA recipients to claim medical reimbursement.
Reference: Federal (FECA) Procedure Manual Chapter 5-0200
Purpose: To notify all FEC staff of the new form to be used by FECA claimants for all reimbursements of medical expenses.
1. Effective March 31, 2004, in all cases where a request for the form used to make a claim for medical reimbursement is received; the requestor should be provided with Form OWCP-915, Claim for Medical Reimbursement. Form OWCP-915 is needed for processing requests for reimbursement of out of pocket work-related medical expenses including medical treatment, prescription medication and medical supplies. A copy of Form OWCP-915 is attached to this bulletin and may be reproduced at local levels. When a request for medical reimbursement is made on Form CA-915, the requestor should be advised that Form OWCP-915 is needed for all future medical reimbursement requests. Form OWCP-915 should be provided to the requestor when practical.
2. The instructions for using Form OWCP-915 are included on the reverse of the form and provide guidance for its completion by FECA recipients.
3. Form OWCP-915 should not be used to claim travel reimbursement. Claims for travel reimbursement should be submitted on Form OWCP-957.
4. The National Office will arrange for an initial supply of Form OWCP-915 to be provided to each District Office. The form and instructions will also be available on the DFEC website at http://www.dol.gov/esa/regs/compliance/owcp/forms.htm.
Disposition: This bulletin should be retained until incorporated in the Federal (FECA) Procedure Manual.
Distribution: List No.3-Folioviews Groups A, B, C and D (All FECA Employees)
Back to Top of FECA Bulletin No. 04-06
Expiration Date: January 1, 2005
Subject: Compensation Pay: Compensation Rate Changes Effective January 2004.
Background: On March 4, 2004, the President signed a retroactive Executive Order implementing a salary increase of 2.70 percent in the basic pay for the General Schedule. The aplicability under 5 U.S.C. 8112 only includes the 2.70 percent increase in the basic General Schedule. Any additional increase for locality-based pay is excluded. The adjustment was made retroactive to an effective date of the first pay period after January 1, 2004.
Purpose: To inform the appropriate personnel of the increased minimum/maximum compensation rates, and the adjustment procedures for affected cases on the periodic death payrolls.
The new rates were effective with the first compensation payroll period beginning on or after January 1, 2004. The new maximum compensation rate payable is based on the scheduled salary of a GS-15, Step 10, which is now $113,674 per annum. The basis for the minimum compensation rate is the salary of $17,568 per annum (GS-2, Step 1).
The minimum increase specified in this Bulletin is applicable to Postal employees.
The effect on 5 U.S.C.8112 is to increase the payment of compensation for disability claims to:
$7,104.63
Reference: Memorandum for Directors of Personnel dated December 2003; and the attachment for the 2004 General Schedule.
Action: ACPS will update the periodic disability and death payrolls. Any cass with gross overrides will not have a supplemental record created. Thus, the cases with gross overrides must be reviewed to determine if adjustments are necessary. If adjustment is necessary, a manual calculation will be required.
a. As the effective date of the adjustment was January 11, 2004, and the new minimum,/maximum compensation rates were not established until March 4, 2004, a suplemental payment will be necessary for the periodic disability and death payrolls. For claims entitled to additional compensation due to the increased minimum/maximum rates, the supplemental payment will be dated May 28, 2004.
b. The new minimum/maximum compensation rates are available in ACPS.
3. Minimum and Maximum Adjustment Listings. Form CA-842, Minimum Compensation Pay Rates, and Form CA-893, Maximum Compensation Rates, should be annotated with the new rate information as follows:
CA-842 - 01/02/03
50.68-76.02
50.68-67.57
253.38-380.10
253.38-337.85
253.38(1,013.52)
CA-843 - 01/02/03
1,639.53 (6,558.12)
4. Forms. CP-150, Minimum/Maximum Compensation, were generated for each case adjusted. It should be noted that this adjustment process re-calculates EVERY ACPS record from very beginning to current date, thus, it may be that minor changes in the gross compensation are noted; this is not necessarily incorrect. Notices to all payees receiving periodic compensation payments were generated, informing them of potential changes to their compensation benefits.
Disposition: This bulletin is to be retained in Part 5, Benefit Payments Federal (FECA) Procedure Manual, until the indicated expiration date.
Infobases built before v3.1 have unreliable record IDs.
Distribution: List No. 2- - Folioviews Groups A and D (Claims Examiners, All Supervisors, Systems Managers, District Medical Advisors, Technical Assistants, Rehabilitation Specialists, and Fiscal and Bill Pay Personnel)
Attachment FB 04-06	Medical Reimbursment Form - BPS-OWCP-915
Back to Top of FECA Bulletin No. 04-07
Attachment FB 04-06 Instructions for OWCP-915
Issue Date: January 16, 2003
Expiration Date: January 16, 2004
Subject: Compensation Orders/Letter Decisions - Signature Authority for Journey Level GS-12 and Senior Claims Examiners
Background: In the past, Senior Claims Examiners (SrCEs) exercised signature authority for most formal decisions. Since the office has upgraded journey level claims examiners (CEs) from a GS-11 to a GS-12, most formal decisions can now be prepared for the signature of the journey level GS-12 (general) CE.
The signature authority (approvals/denials) of GS 5-11 CEs is not affected by the contents of this bulletin or the attachment.
Reference: FECA Procedure Manual Chapter 2-807.10b, Chapter 2-808.7a, and Chapter 2-1400.2d.
Purpose: To advise claims staff of the changes in signature authority for some formal decisions.
Applicability: Claims Examiners, Senior Claims Examiners, Claims Suprevisors, Fiscal Officers, Technical Assistants, Hearing Representatives, and Hearing Examiners.
1. Without written desisgnation from a Supervisory Claims Examiner (SCE) or higher authority, the signature authority outlined in this bulletin should not be delegated below the General GS-12 CE level.
2. The attachment should serve as a guide and/or reference with respect to signature authority and certification levels for GS-12 CEs (including seniors).
3. General CEs at the GS-12 level should exercise signature authority to deny the followi