2021 FECA Circulars which have previously been issued by the DFEC but have since been superseded by another Circular or inclusion in the FECA Procedure Manual.

Fiscal Year 2021

Circular

Subject

FECA Circular No. 21-02

Bill Pay - Revision in the Reimbursement Rates Payable for the Use of Privately Owned Automobiles Necessary to Secure Medical Examination and Treatment.

FECA Circular No. 21-03

Dual Benefits - FERS Cost of Living Adjustments


Attention: This circular has been superseded and is inactive.

FECA CIRCULAR NO. 21-02

February 18, 2021

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 January 1, 2021, the mileage rate for reimbursement to Federal employees traveling by privately-owned automobile DECREASED to 56 cents per mile per U.S. General Services Administration (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.

Applicability: Appropriate FECA Program personnel.

Reference: Chapter 5-0204, Principles of Bill Adjudication, Part 8, Travel, Federal (FECA) Procedure Manual and 5 USC 8103.

Action: The Medical Billing Pay Contractor (MBPC) facility has updated their system to reflect the new rates. Since there is no action required at the 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:

Dates

Cents per mile

01/01/2021 to Present

56.0 cents per mile

01/01/2020 to 12/31/2020

57.5 cents per mile

01/01/2019 - 12/31/2019

58.0 cents per mile

01/01/2018 - 12/31/2018

54.5 cents per mile

01/01/2017 - 12/31/2017

53.5 cents per mile

01/01/2016 - 12/31/2016

54.0 cents per mile

01/01/2015 - 12/31/2015

57.5 cents per mile

01/01/2014 - 12/31/2014

56.0 cents per mile

01/01/2013 - 12/31/2013

56.5 cents per mile

04/17/2012 - 12/31/2012

55.5 cents per mile

01/01/2011 - 04/16/2012

51.0 cents per mile

01/01/2010 - 12/31/2010

50.0 cents per mile

01/01/2009 - 12/31/2009

55.0 cents per mile

08/01/2008 - 12/31/2008

58.5 cents per mile

03/19/2008 - 07/31/2008

50.5 cents per mile

02/01/2007 - 03/18/2008

48.5 cents per mile

01/01/2006 - 01/31/2007

44.5 cents per mile

09/01/2005 - 12/31/2005

48.5 cents per mile

02/04/2005 - 08/31/2005

40.5 cents per mile

01/01/2004 - 02/03/2005

37.5 cents per mile

01/01/2003 - 12/31/2003

36.0 cents per mile

01/21/2002 - 12/31/2002

36.5 cents per mile

01/22/2001 - 01/20/2002

34.5 cents per mile

01/14/2000 - 01/21/2001

32.5 cents per mile

04/01/1999 - 01/13/2000

31.0 cents per mile

09/08/1998 - 03/31/1999

32.5 cents per mile

06/07/1996 - 09/07/1998

31.0 cents per mile

01/01/1995 - 06/06/1996

30.0 cents per mile

Disposition: This Bulletin should be retained in Chapter 5-0204, Principles of Bill Adjudication, Federal (FECA) Procedure Manual.

Antonio Rios
Director for
Division of Federal Employees’, Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation

Distribution: All FECA Program Staff

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Attention: This circular has been superseded and is inactive.

FECA CIRCULAR NO. 21-03

February 18, 2021

Subject: Dual Benefits - FERS Cost of Living Adjustments

Background: Effective December 1, 2020, benefits issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) were increased by 1.3%. Therefore, the amount of the Federal Employees’ Retirement System (FERS) Dual Benefits deduction needed to be increased by the same amount, to ensure the dollar-for-dollar offset required by 5 U.S.C. 8116 (d) (2) of the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act remains current.

Applicability: Appropriate FECA Program personnel.

Action: This adjustment was made from the National Office for all cases that were correctly entered into the integrated Federal Compensation System (iFECS). The adjustment was effective on the periodic roll cycle beginning December 06, 2020.

The historical SSA cost of living adjustments are as follows:

Dates

Cost of living adjustment

12/01/2020 – 11/30/2021

1.3%

12/01/2019 - 11/30/2020

1.6%

12/01/2018 - 11/30/2019

2.8%

12/01/2017 - 11/30/2018

2.0%

12/01/2016 - 11/30/2017

0.3%

12/01/2015 - 11/30/2016

0.0%

12/01/2014 - 11/30/2015

1.7%

12/01/2013 - 11/30/2014

1.5%

12/01/2012 - 11/30/2013

1.7%

12/01/2011 - 11/30/2012

3.6%

12/01/2010 - 11/30/2011

0.0%

12/01/2009 - 11/30/2010

0.0%

12/01/2008 - 11/30/2009

5.8%

12/01/2007 - 11/30/2008

2.3%

12/01/2006 - 11/30/2007

3.3%

12/01/2005 - 11/30/2006

4.1%

12/01/2004 - 11/30/2005

2.7%

12/01/2003 - 11/30/2004

2.1%

12/01/2002 - 11/30/2003

1.4%

12/01/2001 - 11/30/2002

2.6%

12/01/2000 - 11/30/2001

3.5%

12/01/1999 - 11/30/2000

2.4%

12/01/1998 - 11/30/1999

1.3%

12/01/1997 - 11/30/1998

2.1%

12/01/1996 - 11/30/1997

2.9%

12/01/1995 - 11/30/1996

2.6%

12/01/1994 - 11/30/1995

2.8%

Antonio Rios
Director for
Division of Federal Employees’, Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation

Distribution: All FECA Program Staff

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