2007 FECA Bulletins which have previously been issued by the DFEC but have since expired or been superseded by another Bulletin, Circular or inclusion in the FECA Procedure Manual.
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FECA Bulletin No. |
Subject |
|---|---|
|
Periodic Entitlement Review Management (PER) – Use of iFECS Application |
|
|
Bill Pay - Revision in the Reimbursement Rates Payable for the Use of Privately Owned Automobiles Necessary to Secure Medical Examination and Treatment |
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Compensation Pay - Compensation Rate Changes Effective January 2007 |
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Comp Pay - Consumer Price Index (CPI) Cost-of-Living Adjustments for March 1, 2007 |
Attention: This bulletin has been superseded and is inactive.
FECA BULLETIN NO. 07-01
Issue Date: January 31, 2007
Expiration Date: January 31, 2008
Subject: Periodic Entitlement Review Management (PER) – Use of iFECS Application.
Background: Payment on the periodic roll is an efficient method of ensuring regular payments of compensation to those with long-term compensable disabilities. After payment has begun, the claims examiner (CE) is responsible for periodic review of active cases to ensure that payments are correct and to document continuing entitlement. Historically, CEs have annually recorded information from incoming completed CA-1032 forms on the Checklist for Disability Roll Cases, form CA-674. The CA-674 was placed in the file and the CE took any necessary case management action based upon the claimant's responses. With the deployment of the Integrated Federal Employees' Compensation System (iFECS), the CE should document the annual review within Disability Management using the Periodic Entitlement Review Management (PER) application.
Purpose: To implement uniform procedures in the use of the PER application in iFECS to track and record Form CA-1032 data. The PER effectively replaces Form CA-674 in recording claimants' earnings, dependency and continuing disability status.
Applicability: Appropriate National and District Office personnel.
Reference: Chapter 2-0812, Periodic Review of Disability Cases, Federal (FECA) Procedure Manual.
Action:
1. Each month the District Office (DO) generates and mails Form CA-1032 to a set of claimants on the office's periodic compensation rolls. Tasks are automatically generated in iFECS to remind the claims examiner (CE) when the CA-1032 review is due and a PER record is automatically generated in the Periodic Entitlement Review Management application in iFECS.
2. The PER record reflects the current benefit level and compensation rate, the CA-1032 issue date and any dependents. The CE should input the date of any follow-up requests for completion of the CA-1032 and the date of receipt of the CA-1032. The CE should review the updated information from the CA-1032 and match it against the current entitlement records in file.
3. The CE should enter into the PER record the date of the medical report(s) used to establish continuing disability and causal relationship.
3. If additional development is needed to follow-up or verify responses to determine entitlement, the CE should set a reminder in iFECS and follow-up timely according to existing procedures. The PER contains a drop-down menu in the "PER action to be taken" section and the CE should select the appropriate action as follows:
NC – No Payment/Entitlement Change
NI – PN Memo in Development
SI – Payment/Entitlement Suspension in Development
TI – Payment/Entitlement Termination in Development
UD – Under Development
4. Once all development is complete, the CE should so indicate in the PER application and input the date all development was completed.
Disposition: Retain until the indicated expiration date or until incorporated in the FECA Procedure Manual.
DOUGLAS C. FITZGERALD
Director for
Federal Employees' Compensation
Distribution: List No. 2 – Folio Views Groups A, B, and D
(Claims Examiners, All Supervisors, District Medical Advisors, Fiscal Personnel, Systems Managers, Technical Assistants, Rehabilitation Specialists, and Staff Nurses)
Back to Top of FECA Bulletin No. 07-01
Attention: This bulletin has been superseded and is inactive.
FECA BULLETIN NO. 07-02
Issue Date: August 1, 2007
Expiration Date: December 31, 2007
Subject: Bill Pay - Revision in the Reimbursement Rates Payable for the Use of Privately Owned Automobiles Necessary to Secure Medical Examination and Treatment.
Background: Effective February 1, 2007, the mileage rate for reimbursement to Federal employees traveling by privately-owned automobile (POV) increased to 48.5 cents per mile by GSA. No restriction is made as to the number of miles that can be traveled. As in the past, this rate will also apply to disabled FECA beneficiaries who travel by POV to secure necessary medical examination and treatment.
Applicability: Appropriate National Office and District Office personnel.
Reference: Chapter 5-0204, Principles of Bill Adjudication, Part5, Benefit Payments, Federal (FECA) Procedure Manual and 5 USC § 8103.
Action: The Central Bill Processing (CBP) facility has updated their system to reflect the new rates. Since there is no action required at the District Office level, the rates are being provided for informational purposes only.
The following is a list of the historical mileage rates used to reimburse claimant travel expense:
| Date | Rate |
|---|---|
|
01/01/1995 – 06/06/1996 |
30.0 cents per mile |
|
01/14/2000 – 01/21/2001 |
32.5 cents per mile |
|
01/01/2004 – 02/03/2005 |
37.5 cents per mile |
|
01/01/2006 – 01/31/2007 |
44.5 cents per mile |
Disposition: This Bulletin should be retained in Chapter 5-0204, Principles of Bill Adjudication, Federal (FECA) Procedure Manual.
Douglas C. Fitzgerald
Director for
Federal Employees' Compensation
Distribution: List No. 2 -- Folioviews Groups A, B and D
(Claims Examiners, All Supervisors, District Medical Advisors, Technical Assistants, Staff Nurses, Rehabilitation Specialists and Fiscal Personnel).
Back to Top of FECA Bulletin No. 07-02
Attention: This bulletin has been superseded and is inactive.
FECA BULLETIN NO. 07-03
Issue Date: August 1, 2007
Expiration Date: January 1, 2007
Subject: Compensation Pay - Compensation Rate Changes Effective January 2007.
Background: On December 21, 2006, the President signed Executive Order 13420 implementing a salary increase of 1.70 percent in the General Schedule basic pay. The applicability under 5 U.S.C. 8112 only includes the 1.70 percent increase in the basic General Schedule. Any additional increase for locality-based pay is excluded. The adjustment became effective at the start of the first full pay period after January 1, 2007.
Purpose: To inform the appropriate personnel of the increased minimum/maximum rates of compensation, 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, 2007. Thus, for daily roll supplemental payments January 7, 2007, is the specific effective date of the increase. The effective date for the increase of periodic and death roll payments will be January 21, 2007. The new maximum compensation rate payable is based on the scheduled salary of a GS-15, step 10, which is now $120,981 per annum. The basis for the minimum compensation rate is the salary of a GS-2, Step 1 which is $18,698 per annum.
The minimum increase specified in this Bulletin is applicable to employees of the U.S. Postal Service.
The effect on 5 U.S.C. 8112 is to increase the payment of compensation for disability claims to:
|
Effective January 7, 2007 |
Minimum |
Maximum |
|---|---|---|
|
28-Day Cycle |
$1,078.72 |
$6,979.68 |
The effect on 5 U.S.C. 8133(e) is to increase the monthly pay on which compensation for death is computed to:
|
Effective January 7, 2007 |
Minimum |
Maximum |
|---|---|---|
|
Monthly |
$1,558.16 |
$7,561.31 |
Applicability: Appropriate National and District Office personnel
Reference: Memorandum for Executive Heads of Departments and Agencies dated December 21, 2006; and the attachment for the 2007 General Schedule.
Action: The iFECS will update the periodic disability and death payrolls. It should be noted that this adjustment process re-calculates EVERY compensation record from its very beginning to the current date. Thus, it may be that minor changes in the gross compensation are noted; this is not necessarily incorrect.
Any cases with gross overrides will not have a supplemental record or make a separate calculation of additional entitlement. Consequently, the cases with gross overrides must be reviewed to determine if adjustments are necessary. If adjustment is necessary, a manual calculation will be required and the case record documented. A notice should be sent to the payee by the District Office, detailing the change in the rate of compensation.
1. Adjustments Dates.
a. As the effective date of the adjustment was January 21, 2007 for the periodic disability and death rolls, there was no supplemental payroll needed. The February 17, 2007 death and disability payments will include any necessary minimum/maximum compensation adjustments.
b. The new minimum/maximum compensation rates were available in iFECS on January 20, 2007.
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, 2007. Therefore, it is not necessary to review any of these payments.
However, if an inquiry is received then verification of the pay rate must be secured from the employing agency, 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:
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CA-842 - 01/07/2007 |
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|
53.94-80.91 |
269.68-404.52 |
53.94 |
269.68 (1,078.72) 1,558.16 |
|
53.94-71.92 |
269.68-359.58 |
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|
CA-843 - 01/07/2007 |
|||
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348.98 |
1,744.92(6,979.68) |
7,561.31 |
|
Disposition: This Bulletin should be retained in Part 5, Benefit Payments, Federal (FECA) Procedure Manual, until the indicated expiration date.
DOUGLAS FITZGERALD
Director for
Federal Employees' Compensation
Distribution: List No. 2 – Folioviews Groups A, B, and D (Claims Examiners, All Supervisors, District Medical Advisors, Fiscal Personnel, Systems Managers, Technical Assistants, Rehabilitations Specialists and Staff Nurses)
Back to Top of FECA Bulletin No. 07-03
Attention: This bulletin has been superseded and is inactive.
FECA BULLETIN NO. 07-04
Issue Date: March 1, 2007
Expiration Date: February 28, 2008
Subject: Comp Pay - Consumer Price Index (CPI) Cost-of-Living Adjustments for March 1, 2007.
Purpose: To furnish instructions on CPI adjustment implementation of March 1, 2007.
1. The new CPI increase, adjusted to the nearest one-tenth of one percent, is 2.4 percent.
2. The increase is effective March 1, 2007, and is applicable where disability or death occurred before March 1, 2006.
3. The new base month is December 2006.
4. The maximum compensation rates, which must not be exceeded, are the following:
| Amount | Time |
|---|---|
|
$ 7,561.31 |
per month |
Applicability: Appropriate National Office and District Office personnel.
Reference: FECA Consumer Price Index (CPI) Amendment, dated January 6, 1981.
Action: National Office Production staff will update the iFECS CPI tables and have all payment records re-calculated, on or about April 4, 2007, when the iFECS system is not in use by District Office personnel. If there are any cases with fixed gross overrides there will be no supplemental record created. These cases must be reviewed to determine if CPI adjustments are necessary, and if so, a manual calculation will be required. If the gross override payment is in fact eligible for annual CPI increases, the payment plate should be adjusted in the iFECS system to pay as a "Gross Override with CPI".
1. Adjustment Dates.
a. As the effective date of the CPI is March 1, 2007, and the start date of the periodic and death payroll cycles is February 18, 2007, there will be a supplemental record created for the period March 1 through March 17, 2007. Payment of this supplemental record will be combined with the April 14, 2007 periodic and death payrolls. A separate payment will not be issued for the March 1 through March 17, 2007 increase amount, as in previous years. Effective May 13, 2007, the periodic and death payrolls will reflect the increased amount of the regular death and periodic payrolls.
b. All tables in the iFECS system will be updated with the new CPI percentage. This update will be performed for all district offices by the iFECS Production staff in the National Office.
2. CPI, Minimum and Maximum Adjustments Listings. Form CA-841, Cost-of-Living Adjustments; Form CA-842, Minimum Compensation Rates; and Form CA-843, Maximum Compensation Rates, should be updated with the new information. Attached to this directive is a complete list of all the CPI increases and effective dates since October 1, 1966 through March 1, 2007.
3. Forms.
a. All claimants will be provided a notice with the Benefit Statement dated April 14, 2007, indicating that a CPI of 2.4% will be applied to all eligible cases. The notice will also advise the claimant of upcoming increases in their compensation pay, including the supplemental CPI payment and the new periodic payment beginning on May 13, 2007. The Treasury will include this notice as a "stuffer card" with every Benefit Statement issued for the April 14, 2007 rolls.
b. Beginning with the compensation payment cycle that covers April 15, 2007, to May 12, 2007, the Office will issue an updated monthly Benefit Statement to each individual receiving benefits on the 28-day periodic roll cycle. This Benefit Statement will indicate the gross amount of compensation, period of compensation covered by the statement and the pertinent deductions made from the gross compensation. For compensation payments made via paper checks, the Benefit Statement will accompany the check. For compensation payments made through Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT), the Benefit Statement will be mailed separately.
c. If claimants write or call for verification of the amount of compensation paid (possibly for mortgage verification; insurance verification; loan application; etc.), please provide this data in letter form from the district office. Sometimes a Benefit Statement may not reach the addressee and regeneration of the form is not possible. A letter indicating the amount of compensation paid every four weeks will be an adequate substitute for this purpose.
Disposition: This bulletin is to be retained in Part 5, Benefit Payments, Federal (FECA) Procedure Manual, until further notice or the indicated expiration date.
Douglas C. Fitzgerald
Director for
Federal Employees' Compensation
Attachment
Distribution: List No. 2 --Folioviews Groups A and D
(Claims Examiners, All Supervisors, District Medical Advisors, Fiscal Personnel, Systems Managers, Technical Assistants and Rehabilitation Specialists)
COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENTS
Under 5 USC 8146(a)
|
EFFECTIVE DATE |
RATE |
EFFECTIVE DATE |
RATE |
|---|---|---|---|
|
10/01/66 |
12.5% |
03/01/87 |
0.7% |
Prior to 09/07/74, the new compensation after adding the CPI is rounded to the nearest $1.00 on a monthly basis or the nearest multiple of $.23 on a weekly basis ($.23, $.46, $.69, or $.92). After 09/07/74, the new compensation after adding the CPI is rounded to the nearest $1.00 on a monthly basis or the nearest $.25 on a weekly basis ($.25, $.50, $.75, or $1.00).
| Date | Rate | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Prior to 11/01/74 |
.08-.34 = .23 |
Eff. 11/01/74 |
.13-.37 = .25 |
Back to Top of FECA Bulletin No. 07-04