Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Updates

Program Policy Updates John Vance, Branch Chief of Policies, Regulations, and Procedures Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program 1

Policy Directives The Federal EEOICPA Procedure Manual (PM) Updated at least twice yearly by Transmittal. Bulletins - Time-limited directives that involve changes to procedures and are effective until superseded by the PM or an updated Bulletin. Circulars - Informational directives that do not require specific action; such as to announce personnel changes or other items of informational value. 2

Procedure Manual Version 6.0 April 4, 2022 Claims Examiners (CEs) are responsible for overseeing Authorized Representative appointment process Defined roles and responsibilities for identifying and responding to potential conflicts of interest Validation of Site Exposure Matrices results prior to the issuance of a recommended decision (RD) or final decision denying a claim for lack of causation Impairment for emotional or behavioral disorders must originate from a covered illness involving a dysfunction of the central or peripheral nervous system Compensation for a consequential illness is subject to coordination, and that any such acceptance must be addressed through a RD. 3

Procedure Manual Version 7.0 October 20, 2022 Updated Exhibit 15-4 COVID-19 as a compensable consequential illness if certain presumptive criteria are satisfied; modified the employment requirements for hearing loss claims to create an alternate pathway for employees who did not work in a qualifying labor category Role of CEs in assessing legal documents conveying authority for someone to serve on behalf of a named claimant Assess claim for silicosis using routine Part E adjudication process, if the CE can not accept based on a Part B determination Uniform formatting standards for decisions issued by the DEEOIC. Recovery of a debt from a deceased claimant s estate 4

EEOICPA Bulletins Bulletin No. 22-03 - Extended expiration date of Bulletin No. 22-01, Telemedicine for Home and Residential Health Care (HRHC) and Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Bulletin No. 23-01 - Causal Presumption for Chronic Silicosis Under Part E Bulletin No. 23-02 - Industrial Hygiene Reporting of Exposure Levels Bulletin No. 23-03 - New Billing Authorization Codes for HRHC 5

EEOICPA Circulars Circular No. 21-01 Institutes non-procurement suspension and debarment notification process for providers excluded from receiving payment due to fraud or criminal conviction Circular 21-03 Savannah River Site (SRS) Special Exposure Cohort (SEC) Class between October 1, 1972 and December 31, 1990 Circular 21-02 Communications regarding carrier reimbursements Circular 22-01 Telemedicine is permitted for routine medical care if permitted by state law or licensing authorities 6

Federal Register Notices Federal Register / Volume 87, No. 190: October 3, 2022 Department of Energy (DOE) Covered Facilities: OWCP published an updated list of DOE facilities covered under the EEOICPA Federal Register / Volume 87, No. 214: November 7, 2022 Lay Representative Standards: OWCP adopted a set of expectations regarding the conduct of lay representatives, and how it responds to inappropriate behavior 7

Energy Document Portal (EDP) File a New Claim: Claimants can select a claim application form to complete (EE-1 or EE-2), digitally sign, and submit to DEEOIC Upload Documents to Case File: Employment records, medical reports, and additional forms needed by DEEOIC claims staff during the adjudication process may be electronically uploaded into the EDP Check Status: Verify that documents were successfully submitted and receive a Document Control Number (DCN) to check the status of their upload within EDP Complete Benefit Payment Forms: Complete, electronically sign, and submit Form EN-20 (Acceptance of Payment). The ability to submit additional benefit payment forms (OWCP-915 and OWCP-957) is forthcoming 8