OWCP has announce a new component of ECOMP that allows Agency Reviewers to securely view documents in the Office of Workers' Compensation (OWCP) case file concerning claims under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA).  Effective April 9, 2013, ECOMP was enhanced to create a third functionality to allow designated ECOMP Agency Reviewers (AR) the ability to view imaged documents for cases assigned to their agency. The new functionality is called Agency Reviewer Imaging (ARi). Initially, only a few specific agencies were granted such access; however, after this initial deployment phase, ARi access will be provided to other enrolled agencies on a rolling basis.

Allowing the ARs to view case file documents also facilitates better Employing Agency collaboration with the OWCP in regard to disability management and return-to-work efforts. For example, the Employing Agency can view work restrictions in a case and craft a job offer for the injured worker without first making a request to the OWCP for such medical evidence and waiting for the OWCP's response. This allows the injured workers to return to work as soon as possible, which furthers the OWCP's mission to facilitate reemployment of injured workers who are able to work.

ARi users may download up to 5 cases to their Review Cases Dashboard. It takes approximately 24 hours from the time the request is made to the time the imaged case becomes available to the ARi user.  Cases may be viewed for up to 5 calendar days, but an ARi user may release a case at any time to free-up a slot on the Dashboard. The user can only see documents available at the time the case is requested; there is no refresh option.

Big brother is watching!!