OWCP Form 957 Travel Reimbursement Tutorial - Podcast #61

Federal Workers Compensation Coffee Break Podcast is an educational and informative training on how to navigate the DOL -OWCP claims filing process for all types of injured US government and federal workers. The podcast is free and is educational. If you need help with anything related to a federal workers compensation claim...help is just a cup of coffee away.

Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Fill Out and Submit OWCP Form 957 for Travel Reimbursement

 If you’re a federal employee or a worker covered under programs like the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA), Black Lung Benefits Act, or the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA), you may be eligible to get reimbursed for travel expenses related to medical treatment for a work-related injury or illness. The key to unlocking this benefit is the OWCP-957 form, also known as the Medical Travel Refund Request. In this step-by-step tutorial, I’ll walk you through how to fill out and submit this form accurately to ensure you get reimbursed without unnecessary delays. 

Step 1: Understand When to Use the OWCP-957

Before you start, confirm that your travel qualifies for reimbursement. The OWCP-957 is for travel expenses tied to medical care for an accepted work-related condition—think doctor visits, pharmacy trips, or approved treatments. You can claim up to three trips per form, and all requests must be submitted within one year of the expense. If your travel exceeds 200 miles round-trip, you’ll need pre-approval from your OWCP Medical Benefits Examiner, so keep that in mind. There are two different 957 forms for the process of filing for medical travel reimbursement.

OWCP-957A - Medical Travel Refund Request – Mileage

OWCP-957B - Medical Travel Refund Request – Expenses

For more information click on the show transcript:

Dr. Taylor’s contact information is: fedcompconsultants@protonmail.com

If you need a medical provider or assistance with an OWCP /  DOL claim in Tampa, Pensacola Florida or Mobile Alabama    you can make an appointment to see Dr. Taylor, or Dr. Sullivan   at the clinic at  FWC Medical Centers. To make a consultation with Dr. Taylor  call the clinic at 813-215-4356 or go  to our website at https://mrtherapycenter.com/or https://fedcompconsultants.com/

FEEDSPOT TOP 10 National Workers Compensation Podcast:

https://podcast.feedspot.com/workers_compensation_podcasts/?feedid=5557942&_src=f2_featured_email

Transcript

 Welcome to another episode of Federal Workers Compensation Coffee break Podcast. I am your host Dr. Taylor. I am an OWCP & Federal Health Care consultant who has been assisting and working with clients for over 30 years in the work comp arena. I offer this podcast for free to give back to government workers and other doctors or future doctors who want to participate in Federal Workers Compensation claims by doing a podcast to assist with all types of topics of government related healthcare filings.

 The only thing I ask for from you her at the at the podcast is that if you find this information to be helpful …. PLEASE like, share or leave a review of the podcast for others to be able to find this subject matter material on the internet. Here at this podcast, we discuss all sorts of topics related to federal workers compensation, Department of Labor, OWCP, FECA ACT, FERS, longshore-maritime, DOD contractors, VA benefits. I cover these relevant topics in a short coffee break style format (modeled after the lunch and learn style) to assist you, the government employee/contractor with filing your claim, understanding your rights, responsibilities & relevant rules and provisions

Today’s podcast is an update on how to use the new electronic filing of OWCP claim forms through the ECOMP portal. We recently completed the step-by-step tutorial of medical reimbursement in ECOMP with form 915. We touched on the travel reimbursements but did not complete a step-by-step tutorial. Today we will complete a step-by step tutorial on how to complete the travel reimbursement form 957 in the ECOMP portal. 

Ok… lets dive in to today’s topic and get our coffee going…

Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Fill Out and Submit OWCP Form 957 for Travel Reimbursement

If you’re a federal employee or a worker covered under programs like the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA), Black Lung Benefits Act, or the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA), you may be eligible to get reimbursed for travel expenses related to medical treatment for a work-related injury or illness. The key to unlocking this benefit is the OWCP-957 form, also known as the Medical Travel Refund Request. In this step-by-step tutorial, I’ll walk you through how to fill out and submit this form accurately to ensure you get reimbursed without unnecessary delays. 

Step 1: Understand When to Use the OWCP-957

Before you start, confirm that your travel qualifies for reimbursement. The OWCP-957 is for travel expenses tied to medical care for an accepted work-related condition—think doctor visits, pharmacy trips, or approved treatments. You can claim up to three trips per form, and all requests must be submitted within one year of the expense. If your travel exceeds 200 miles round-trip, you’ll need pre-approval from your OWCP Medical Benefits Examiner, so keep that in mind. There are two different 957 forms for the process of filing for medical travel reimbursement.

OWCP-957A - Medical Travel Refund Request – Mileage

OWCP-957B - Medical Travel Refund Request – Expenses

Don’t combine the mileage and expenses all on one form or it will be denied. Be sure and put the expenses on the 957 B form and the actual mileage on the 957A form. 

Step 2: Gather Your Materials

To make this process smooth, collect the following:

Your OWCP 9 digit Claim Number: This is essential for identifying your case.

Travel Details: Dates, destinations (e.g., doctor’s office or pharmacy), and mileage or expenses.

Receipts: Original receipts for things like parking, tolls, or public transit (write your name and Social Security Number on each).

Form OWCP-957: Download the latest version from the U.S. Department of Labor’s website (dol.gov). Note: As of March 31, 2024, the old OWCP-957 isn’t accepted—use the updated OWCP-957B for expenses if applicable, but this guide focuses on the standard OWCP-957 for mileage.

Step 3: Start Filling Out the Form

Open up the form 957 in ECOMP and let’s tackle the form section by section.

Claimant Information (Top Section)

Box 1: Claimant’s Name: Write your full name (Last, First, Middle Initial).

Box 2: Case/Claim Number: Enter your OWCP claim number—double-check it!

Box 3: Payee’s Name: If someone else paid for the trip and should be reimbursed, write their name here; otherwise, leave it blank or repeat your name.

Travel Details (Part A)

This section is where you list your trips—up to three per form. Here’s the key: OWCP limits mileage to 100 miles per line, even if your trip is longer.

Box 5a: Date of Travel: Write the date of each trip (e.g., 03/15/2025).

Box 5b: Travel From: Note where you started (usually “Home” unless it’s work-related travel).

Box 5c-d: Checkboxes: Check “Home” or “Work” as your starting point.

Box 5e: Medical Facility Name and Address: Write the full name and address of the doctor, pharmacy, or facility you visited (include the ZIP code).

Box 5f: Mileage: Enter the round-trip distance, but here’s the catch: the form caps each line at 100 miles. If your trip exceeds 100 miles (e.g., a 300-mile round-trip), split it across multiple lines. For a 300-mile trip, enter 100 miles on three separate lines (each with the same date and destination).

Pro Tip: For trips over 200 miles round-trip, OWCP often denies reimbursement unless pre-approved by your Medical Benefits Examiner. Call OWCP at 1-800-638-7072 before traveling to avoid a denial. Don’t forget The 200-mile round-trip pre-approval rule and the 100-mile-per-line cap on the OWCP-957 remain firm, as we discussed earlier. Pre-authorization from the Medical Benefits Adjudication Unit is needed for travel exceeding 100 miles one way or 200 miles or more . To contact the Medical Benefit Adjudication Unit call, toll free 1-866-272-2682.

Box 5g: Other Expenses: List costs like parking or tolls here, and attach receipts.

Repeat this for each trip (or segment of a long trip) in the additional rows.

Total Reimbursement (Part B)

Multiply mileage by the current DOL rate (e.g., $0.67/mile in 2025—check dol.gov for updates). Add up all mileage costs and other expenses, then write the total in the “Total Reimbursement Requested” box.

Certification and Signature (Bottom Section)

Sign your name under “Claimant’s/Payee’s Signature” and date it (e.g., 03/16/2025). For Black Lung claimants, get a doctor’s signature in the designated section; others skip this.

Why This Matters

Step 4: Double-Check Your Work

Mistakes can delay your reimbursement, so take a moment to review:

Is your claim number correct?

Are dates and addresses complete and accurate?

Did you attach receipts for expenses (not needed for mileage alone)?

Is the math right for your total reimbursement?

Step 5: Submit the Form

You’ve got two options for submission:

Mail: Send the completed form and receipts to:

Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation (DFEC)

Central Mailroom

PO Box 8300

London, KY 40742-8300

Online: Use the DOL’s ECOMP portal (ecomp.dol.gov). Log in, complete 957 electronic form and when its completed hit the attachments section before you hit send and  attach scanned receipts, and submit electronically—it’s faster and you can track progress.

Step 6: Keep Records

Make a copy of everything—form, receipts, and any confirmation from ECOMP—before submitting. This is your backup in case something gets lost or disputed.

Step 7: Follow Up

Processing can take a few weeks. If you submitted online, check ECOMP for updates. If mailed, contact OWCP at 1-800-638-7072 if you don’t hear back within a month. Have your claim number ready!

Tips for Success

Be Specific: Only claim travel for your accepted condition—unrelated trips won’t be reimbursed.

Stay Current: Use the latest form version to avoid rejection.

Ask for Help: If confused, your doctor’s office or OWCP representative can guide you.

Filling out and submitting the OWCP-957 doesn’t have to be daunting. With this step-by-step guide, you’re equipped to claim the reimbursement you’re entitled to for medical travel. Got questions or a tricky case? Drop a comment or a question. 

So,  I want to thank you for listening and want to remind you to share this podcast with other federal workers you think would benefit from this information. Also be kind enough to leave a review on the platform you found this podcast, like or subscribe to any of the major podcast platforms or our youtube channel so others will also find this information. Also if you need an approved  medical provider for your DOL -OWCP Or Longshore case in Florida you can still  find me in Tampa   and Pensacola. To make a consultation with me to discuss your case or if you know someone if Florida who is recently injured you can call the clinic at 813-215-4356 or 813-877-6900 or go  to our website at https://fedcompconsultants.com/   & https://mrtherapycenter.com/  Also if you are in  another state and you want me to assist you with claim questions or assistance for your  doctor you can email me at fedcompconsultants@protonmail.com 

Ok… I think that is enough for today…I need to warm up this coffee and get going. As usual I want to thank all of you who put on that uniform, that badge, deliver that mail, take care of our veterans and make this government run… a big thank you. I do this for free just for you…We could not do this  without all of the work all of you out there do…so this is my big  thank you. And remember if you  have an injured federal claim and you need assistance….I am  here to help!.

See you next time.

Off to get my coffee!