Reimbursement

The employee is entitled to reimbursement for reasonable and necessary expenses, including transportation needed to obtain authorized medical services, appliances, or supplies. The DOL-OWCP will consider the availability of services, the employee’s condition, and the means of transportation.  If practical, the injured worker is encouraged to take the shortest route and utilize public transportation. Generally, a roundtrip distance of up to 100 miles is considered a reasonable distance to travel.   Form OWCP-957A , Medical Travel Refund Request – Mileage or OWCP-957B, Medical Travel Refund Request - Expenses, should be used to seek payment for travel related costs.

Should the employee incur out-of-pocket medical expenses pertaining to the treatment of an accepted work-related injury, OWCP 915, Claim for Medical Reimbursement, can be used to seek reimbursement for medical expenses pertaining to medical treatment, prescription medication, and medical supplies. The employee must provide supporting documentation with the Claim for Medical Reimbursement Form. For more information visit: Claimant Reimbursement Forms

Leave Repurchase

If an injured employee elects to use sick or annual leave during a period of disability and later wishes to have the leave restored, the employee may pursue their options under the Department’s Leave Buy Back program. Under the program, an employee must request to repurchase their leave within 1 year of usage following the acceptance of the disability claim, and the request must exceed 40 hours of leave usage. Forms CA-7 and CA-7a, Claim for Compensation and Time Loss Analysis, respectively, initiate a claim for Leave Buy Back. See: DAO 202-810

Last Update: July 2024