The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs(OWCP) has issued a final rule to upadate the procedures used in administering claims under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act.
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In addition, the rule clarifies several practices, including acknowledging reorganization within the department and incorporating statutory changes, such as the new FECA death gratuity benefit.
Changes also have been made to existing policies to improve the benefit program and lessen burdens on claimants.
The rule also adds the skin as a covered organ retroactive to Sept. 11, 2001, under the act's schedule award provision, providing up to 205 weeks of compensation for burns, cancers and other medical conditions that impair the skin's function.
The administrative and procedural changes include requiring employing agencies to file claims electronically by the end of 2012 and allowing for the use of video and teleconferences in hearings, as well as changes to the medical approval and procurement procedures.