Office of Workers' Compensation Programs Needs To Improve Procedures To Help Reduce Payment Errors and Identify Dual Payments
HRD-84-63
Published: May 21, 1984. Publicly Released: May 21, 1984.
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Highlights
GAO completed a survey of payment and collection activities administered by the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP).
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Employment Standards Administration | The Deputy Under Secretary for Employment Standards should require that staff responsible for quality control activities monitor the accuracy of compensation payments and the effectiveness of local review of payment transactions. |
Closed – Implemented
District offices were required to have internal control positions staffed by June 1, 1984. Accountability reviews are continuing with emphasis on debt collection and accounts receivable.
|
| Employment Standards Administration | The Deputy Under Secretary for Employment Standards should establish controls, using revised claimant questionnaires, to help identify OPM retirement benefits received by Federal Employees' Compensation Act beneficiaries. |
Closed – Implemented
Use of revised questionnaires began in June 1984.
|
| Employment Standards Administration | The Deputy Under Secretary for Employment Standards should coordinate with OPM in conducting periodic comparisons of benefit rolls to identify Federal Employees' Compensation Act beneficiaries who are receiving prohibited dual benefits. |
Closed – Implemented
In September 1985, OPM and OWCP conducted a second match. As of February 1986, action was being taken on 59 cases with outstanding payments. Budget constraints have affected OPM ability to follow up on other records that should be matched.
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Topics
Administrative errorsCollection proceduresDisability benefitsDual compensationErroneous paymentsMonitoringOverpaymentsQuality controlRetirement benefitsWorkers compensation