Office of Workers' Compensation Programs

 

Federal Employees Compensation Program

Federal employees who develop COVID-19 while in the performance of their federal duties are entitled to workers' compensation coverage pursuant to the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA).

New (FECA) Procedures effective January 28, 2023
On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) was signed into law. This legislation streamlined the process for federal workers diagnosed with COVID-19 to establish coverage under the FECA. FECA Bulletin 21-09, issued on April 28, 2021, incorporated the ARPA’s provisions for processing COVID-19 claims. Section 4016(b)(1) of the ARPA requires an injured Federal worker to be diagnosed with COVID-19 on or prior to January 27, 2023, for these statutory provisions to apply. Therefore, claims for COVID-19 diagnosed between January 27, 2020, and January 27, 2023, will continue to be processed in accordance with the guidelines established under the ARPA.

However, in accordance with Congressional intent to end the specialized treatment of COVID-19 claims for Federal workers’ compensation on January 27, 2023, we have updated our procedures to provide that claims for COVID-19 diagnosed after January 27, 2023 must establish the five basic elements for adjudication set forth in the FECA regulations. See 20 C.F.R. §10.115.

A determination as to whether a claim based on a COVID-19 diagnosis is treated under the ARPA COVID-19 provisions will be based exclusively on the date of the positive COVID-19 test result. Claims with test results dated on or before January 27, 2023 will be handled under the ARPA provisions. Claims with test results dated after January 27, 2023 will be handled in accordance with FECA Bulletin 23-02. Claimants may view this instructional video to learn how to file a COVID-19 claim.

 

Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation

DEEOIC is sensitive to the fact that our claimant population is particularly vulnerable to the risks of the COVID-19 public health emergency, and recognizes the need to continue to provide compensation and medical benefits. We have taken several actions to help ensure that beneficiaries continue to receive their benefits during the COVID-19 public health emergency. On April 7, 2020, we issued EEOICPA Bulletin 20-03, which provides instructions for Medical Benefits Examiners to accept telemedicine in lieu of face-to-face examinations for home and residential health care renewals and new requests for durable medical equipment. On April 30, 2020, we issued EEOICP Bulletin 20-04, which implements temporary procedures to allow for the use of telemedicine in place of nonemergency, routine medical appointments between physicians and our claimants.

See our Frequently Asked Questions for more information about the energy program's efforts during this time.

We have also posted a notice about the operating status of our Resource Centers.

 

Division of Coal Mine Workers Compensation

DCMWC continues to process claims and issue benefit payments while working to ensure that our claimants are safe during this crisis. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about our response to COVID-19.

Many of our approved providers have temporarily suspended black lung evaluation appointments for the safety of patients and medical staff, consistent with social distancing guidelines for the COVID-19 pandemic. Please see our Special Notice: Impact of COVID-19 on Selection of Provider, Authorization of Medical Evaluations and Scheduling of Appointments.

DCMWC issued a bulletin implementing temporary procedures that allow for expanded use of telemedicine services for miners entitled to benefits.