UPDATED: OWCP Requirement for Billing NPI

Effective August 24, 2024, providers will be required to submit billing NPI when billing for services provided to injured or ill workers for the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP). Professional and institutional bills submitted without the billing NPI after August 24,2024 will be denied.

Note: Providers are strongly encouraged to submit the billing taxonomy.

Billing NPI is not required for OWCP bills submitted from providers such as non-medical vendors, fiscal intermediaries, and non-emergency transportation.

  • 33 Contract Medical Consultant
  • 41 Contract Nurse
  • 43 Taxi
  • 44 Public Transportation & Private Transportation
  • 53 Non-Medical Vendor
  • 55 Vocational Rehabilitation (Training, Tuition and Schools)
  • 56 Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
  • 57 Rehabilitation Maintenance
  • 58 Assisted Re-employment
  • 59 Relocation Expenses
  • 61 Second Opinion Contractor
  • 80 Pay-to-Intermediary
  • 89 Federal Facility (VA Hospital)
  • 94 Boarding House
  • 95 Insurance Company (Third Party Carriers)
  • 97 Billing Agent
  • 98 Lien holder

Online Bill Entry (web portal direct data entry): Refer to the Direct Data Entry Billing Tutorial for instructions and examples.

Mail (paper form): Refer to the billing instructions for each claim form by visiting the OWCP Forms and References page and selecting the OWCP Program (DCMWC, DEEOIC, or DFEC).

Additional Reminders:

For the Health Insurance Claim Form (OWCP-1500):

  • Enter billing information in Box 33. Billing provider NPI must be entered in Box 33a. Enter billing taxonomy in Box 33b.
  • Be sure to enter your OWCP Provider ID in Box 33 per the form instructions. Do not enter your 9-digit billing OWCP provider ID using Box 33b.
  • Enter servicing facility information in Box 32. Enter servicing facility NPI in Box 32a and servicing facility taxonomy in Box 32b.
  • Enter servicing (rendering) provider information in Box 24J. Enter servicing (rendering) NPI in the unshaded area of Box 24J and servicing (rendering) taxonomy in the shaded area of Box 24J.

For Uniform Health Insurance Claim Form (OWCP-04):

  • Billing provider NPI must be entered in Box 56. Enter billing taxonomy in Box 81CCa.
  • Enter attending (servicing) provider NPI in Box 76 and attending (servicing) taxonomy in Box 81CCb.

For ADA Dental Claim Forms:

  • Billing provider NPI should be entered in Box 49. Enter billing taxonomy in Box 52a.
  • Enter treating (servicing) NPI in Box 54 and treating (servicing) taxonomy in Box 56a.

EDI (HIPAA 837s): Refer to the updated 837 Companion Guide.

  • 837 file segment details for billing provider NPI and taxonomy
    NPI or Taxonomy 837 File Segment
    NPI Loop – 2010AA
    Segment – NM1
    NM108: Identification Code Qualifier = XX (REQUIRED)
    NM109: Identification Code Qualifier = NPI (REQUIRED)
    Taxonomy Loop – 2000A
    Segment – PRV
    PRV01: BI (Billing)
    PRV 01 is required if PRV loop is present
    PRV02: PXC (Qualifier for taxonomy code)
    PRV02 is required if PRV01 is present
    PRV03: Provider taxonomy code
    PRV03 is required if PRV02 is present
    Example: PRV✽BI✽PXC✽207Q00000X~
  • 837 file segment details for servicing provider NPI and taxonomy
    Claim Type Location NPI or Taxonomy 837 File Segment
    Professional/Dental Header NPI Loop: 2310B — RENDERING PROVIDER NAME
    Segment: NM1✽82
    NM108: Identification Code Qualifier = XX
    NM109: NPI
    NM109 is required when NM108 is available
    Example : NM1✽82✽1✽DOE✽JANE✽C✽✽✽XX✽1234567804~
    Taxonomy Loop: 2310B - RENDERING PROVIDER SPECIALTY INFORMATION
    Segment: PRV
    PRV01: PE (Performing)
    PRV01 is required if PRV loop is present
    PRV02: PXC (Qualifier for taxonomy code)
    PRV02 is required if PRV01 is present
    PRV03: Provider taxonomy code
    PRV03 is required if PRV02 is present
    Example: PRV✽PE✽PXC✽1223G0001X~
    Line NPI Loop: 2420A — RENDERING PROVIDER NAME
    Segment: NM1✽82
    NM108: Identification Code Qualifier = XX
    NM109: Identification Code Qualifier = NPI
    NM109 is required when NM108 is available
    Example: NM1✽82✽1✽DOE✽JANE✽C✽✽✽✽XX✽1234567804~
    Taxonomy Loop: 2420A — RENDERING PROVIDER SPECIALTY INFORMATION
    Segment: PRV
    PRV01: PE (Performing)
    PRV01 is required if PRV loop is present
    PRV02: PXC (Qualifier for taxonomy code)
    PRV02 is required if PRV01 is present
    PRV03: Provider taxonomy code
    PRV03 is required if PRV02 is present
    Example: PRV✽PE✽PXC✽208D00000X~
    Institutional Header NPI Loop: 2310A - ATTENDING PROVIDER NAME
    Segment: NM1✽71
    NM108: Identification Code Qualifier = XX
    NM109: Identification Code Qualifier = NPI
    NM109 is required when NM108 is available
    Example: NM1✽71✽1✽JONES✽JOHN✽✽✽✽XX✽1234567891~
    Taxonomy Loop: 2310A - ATTENDING PROVIDER SPECIALTY INFORMATION
    Segment: PRV
    PRV01: AT (Attending)
    PRV01 is required if PRV loop is present
    PRV02: PXC (Qualifier for taxonomy code)
    PRV02 is required if PRV01 is present
    PRV03: Provider taxonomy code
    PRV03 is required if PRV02 is present
    Example: PRV✽AT✽PXC✽208D00000X~

Messaging will appear on your remittance voucher to alert you of any NPI or taxonomy information that is missing or does not match your provider file.

For questions, contact our Call Center at the applicable phone number listed below, where a representative will be happy to assist you.

Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation (DCMWC):
1-800-638-7072

Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation (DEEOIC):
1-866-272-2682

Division of Federal Employees' Compensation (DFEC):
1-844-493-1966

DCMWC Transfer Outstanding Debts to CRS

Effective August 24, 2024, the Division of Coal Mine Workers’ Compensation (DCMWC) will initiate a recoupment process in conjunction with the Treasury Department to recover outstanding provider debts owed to the Federal Black Lung Program.

Currently, the Federal Black Lung Program automatically recoups the full amount owed from current and future provider payments until the debt is paid in full.

On or after August 24, 2024, if the debt remains unpaid after 120 days from the Remittance Voucher (RV) overpayment notice, the account balance will be sent to the Centralized Receivables Service (CRS) for collections.

If you have an inquiry or concern regarding the Remittance Voucher (RV) overpayment notice, please submit the RV overpayment notice and all supporting documentation to the following address:

Division of Coal Miner Workers’ Compensation (DCWMC)
General Correspondence
P.O. Box 8307
London, Kentucky 40742-8307

For questions, contact our Call Center at the phone number listed below, where a Call Center representative will be happy to assist you.

Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation (DCMWC): 1-800-638-7072

How to Submit Overpayments Refunds to DEEOIC

The Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation (DEEOIC) does not accept payments made by mail. All providers must submit an adjustment (corrected bill) to ensure that the overpayment created is properly reflected as an account receivable by DEEOIC. Once the account receivable is established, providers will receive a debt letter and instructions on how to service the account receivable from the Treasury's Centralized Receivables Service (CRS). For more information click here and refer to the section titled "How to Submit Refunds of Overpayments".

OWCP adjustment/void processing for DFEC and DCMWC

Effective June 1, 2024, the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) will implement updates for adjustment/void processing.

For the Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation (DFEC), providers will no longer be allowed to submit bill void transactions.

For the Division of Coal Mine Workers’ Compensation (DCMWC), providers will have the new option to submit bill adjustments using the WCMBP portal.

For the Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation (DEEOIC), there are no changes in the current process for adjustment requests.

For questions, contact our Call Center at the applicable phone number listed below, where a Call Center representative will be happy to assist you.

Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation (DCMWC):
1-800-638-7072

Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation (DEEOIC):
1-866-272-2682

Division of Federal Employees' Compensation (DFEC):
1-844-493-1966

OWCP Enhancement to Prevent Overpayments

Effective June 1, 2024, the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) will implement an enhancement to prevent overpayments created from denied adjustment requests. 

On or after June 1, 2024, if an adjustment is submitted on a bill that has already been paid but subsequently denied in its entirety, the denial will be reflected on the Remittance Advice (RV), and the bill inquiry screen will display a status of denied.

In such cases, when providers seek payment reconsideration for the denied bill, it is essential to submit the adjustment request using the previously paid bill. This ensures that the adjustment is correctly associated with the original bill and facilitates the review process for payment reconsideration.

Providers are encouraged to use the Bill Inquiry and Bill Adjustment features of the Workers’ Compensation Medical Bill Processing (WCMBP) Portal https://owcpmed.dol.gov/ to review bill history. 

For questions, contact our Call Center at the applicable phone number listed below, where a Call Center representative will be happy to assist you.

Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation (DCMWC):
1-800-638-7072

Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation (DEEOIC):
1-866-272-2682

Division of Federal Employees' Compensation (DFEC):
1-844-493-1966

OWCP DFEC Recoupment Process

Effective April 20, 2024, the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation (DFEC) will implement a recoupment process for providers’ outstanding debts.

Providers may have partial or full payment amounts applied to existing overpayments until the full overpaid amount is satisfied and all debts are closed.

Providers can refer to the remittance voucher (RV) for overpayment summary, recoupment summary, and recoupment details. A Remittance Voucher User Guide is available for an explanation on how to read the sections in the RV.

In addition, providers can also use the View Accounts Receivable feature after logging in to the Workers’ Compensation Medical Bill Processing (WCMBP) portal OWCP Connect (dol.gov). Providers can filter or sort results on the Accounts Receivable (AR) List to identify overpayment history, verify remaining debt balance owed, and review accounts receivable details by clicking on the AR Number.

Annual 1099s balances will be updated to reflect all recoupments.

For additional information, contact our Call Center at the number listed below, where a Call Center representative will be happy to assist you.

Division of Federal Employees' Compensation (DFEC):1-844-493-1966

OWCP Fee Schedule Calculator Tool

Effective April 20, 2024, OWCP will release a new Fee Schedule Calculator tool on the Workers’ Compensation Medical Bill Processing (WCMBP) web portal https://owcpmed.dol.gov/portal/. This feature will be available to providers after logging in to the secure WCMBP portal.

The fee schedule calculator is a tool used to estimate the maximum allowable amount for services rendered and billed on the OWCP 1500 Professional form or the ADA Dental form. It is important to note:

  • While the fee schedule calculator tool estimates payment, it does not guarantee eligibility or coverage for your specific service.
  • The fee schedule calculator tool will not advise if services are appropriate for the accepted condition and will not confirm if authorization is required. Please use the Claimant Eligibility Inquiry and Authorization Submission features to verify this information.

Please refer to the Fee Schedule Calculator Quick Reference Guide for step-by-step instructions.

For additional information, contact our Call Center at the number listed below, where a Call Center representative will be happy to assist you.

Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation (DCMWC): 1-800-638-7072
Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation (DEEOIC): 1-866-272-2682
Division of Federal Employees' Compensation (DFEC): 1-844-493-1966

OWCP DFEC Bill Processing Improvement for Newly Accepted Cases

Effective December 9, 2023, the DFEC Program for Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) will enhance bill processing to automatically reprocess previously submitted bills that denied when the injured or ill worker’s case was under development, after the case is later accepted as payable by OWCP.

On December 9, 2023, a one-time courtesy bill reprocessing will occur for claimant cases that were adjudicated by DFEC, and accepted conditions assigned in the previous four weeks.

Afterwards, bills denied after December 9, 2023, will be automatically reprocessed if the case is accepted as payable.

Please note that additional denial EOBs may post during reprocessing. For example, if denials post for authorization of services related to accepted conditions, then providers are encouraged to request authorization for the billed service(s).

For additional information, please contact our Call Center at the number listed below, where a Call Center representative will be happy to assist you.

  • Division of Federal Employees' Compensation (DFEC):
    1-844-493-1966

DFEC Hearing Aid Supplies and Services Utilization Review

Effective July 15, 2023, the Office of Workers’ Compensation (OWCP) Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation (DFEC) Program is implementing a new utilization review (UR) for hearing aid services and supplies.

Please refer to the FECA Circular NO. 23-08 for more information. FECA Circulars | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov)

New limits have been defined for DFEC hearing aid supplies and services.

EOB Number EOB Description Applicable Procedure Codes
81021 BATTERY FOR HEARING DEVICE LIMITED TO 30 UNITS PER 180 DAYS V5266
80151 HEARING AID SERVICES ARE LIMITED TO 1 PER 730 DAYS V5264, V5265, V5275
80152 HEARING AID SERVICES ARE LIMITED TO 1 PER 1825 DAYS V5010, V5020, V5030, V5040, V5050, V5060, V5070, V5080, V5090, V5100, V5110, V5120, V5130, V5140, V5150, V5160, V5170, V5171, V5172, V5180, V5181, V5190, V5200, V5210, V5211, V5212, V5213, V5214, V5215, V5220, V5221, V5230, V5240, V5241, V5242, V5243, V5244, V5245, V5246, V5247, V5248, V5249, V5250, V5251, V5252, V5253, V5254, V5255, V5256, V5257, V5258, V5259, V5260, V5261, V5262, V5263, V5267, V5268, V5269, V5270, V5271, V5272, V5273, V5281, V5282, V5283, V5284, V5285, V5286, V5287, V5288, V5289, V5290, V5298
81019 HEARING AID REPAIR/SUPPLY LIMITED TO 3 UNITS PER 1825 DAYS V5014
81061 HEARING AID FITTING/CHECKING LIMITED TO 4 PER 1825 DAYS V5011

For additional information, please contact our Call Center at the number listed below, where a Call Center representative will be happy to assist you.

Division of Federal Employees' Compensation (DFEC):
1-844-493-1966

 

DEEOIC DME Supplies and Accessories Updates

Effective June 24, 2023, the Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation (DEEOIC) will enhance the bill processing of durable medical equipment (DME) supplies and accessories.

A separate DEEOIC Durable Medical Equipment (DME) supplies and accessories authorization is not required for the following conditions:

  • A rental authorization is approved and on file for the related DME, and service dates are within the rental period.
  • A purchase authorization is approved and on file for the related DME, and service dates are within three (3) years of the purchase period.

Providers will not need to submit a correction to an existing DME authorization for the associated supplies or accessories if an approved authorization is on file.

HCPCS Code Description Associated DME Codes
A4615 A4615 Cannula, nasal E1390, E1391, E1392
A4616 Tubing (oxygen), per foot E1390, E1391, E1392
A4620 Variable concentration mask E1390, E1391, E1392
E0441 Stationary oxygen contents, gaseous, one month’s supply = 1 unit E0424, E0425
E0442 Stationary oxygen contents, liquid, one month’s supply = 1 unit E0440
E0443 Portable oxygen contents, gaseous, one month’s supply = 1 unit E0430, E0431
E0444 Portable oxygen contents, liquid, one month’s supply = 1 unit E0434, E0435
E0555 Humidifier, durable, glass or autoclavable plastic bottle type, for use with regulator or flowmeter E1390, E1391, E1392
E1353 Regulator E1390, E1391, E1392

In addition, new utilization limits are added to restrict certain DME codes for DEEOIC.

EOB Number - Message Procedure Codes Modifier
80907 - DME supply of nasal cannula is limited to 500 units per 180 days A4615 N/A
80908 - DME supply of oxygen tubing is limited to 1000 units per 180 days A4616 N/A
80909 - DME supply of concentration mask is limited to 40 units per 180 days A4620 N/A
80910 - DME supply of humidifier is limited to 20 units per 180 days E0555 N/A
80911 - DME supply of regulator is limited to 10 units per 180 days E1353 N/A
80912 - DME oxygen system rental is limited to 12 units per 366 days E0424, E0431, E0433, E0434, E0439 RR

For additional information, please contact our Call Center at the number listed below, where a Call Center representative will be happy to assist you.

  • Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation (DEEOIC): 1-866-272-2682