10.314—Will OWCP pay for the services of an attendant?
Yes, OWCP will pay for the services of an attendant up to a maximum of $1,500 per month, where the need for such services has been medically documented. In the exercise of the discretion afforded by 5 U.S.C. 8111(a), the Director has determined that, except where payments were being made prior to January 4, 1999, direct payments to the claimant to cover such services will no longer be made. Rather, the cost of providing attendant services will be paid under section 8103 of the Act, and medical bills for these services will be considered under § 10.801. This decision is based on the following factors:
(a)
The additional payments authorized under section 8111(a) should not be necessary since OWCP will authorize payment for personal care services under 5 U.S.C. 8103, whether or not such care includes medical services, so long as the personal care services have been determined to be medically necessary and are provided by a home health aide, licensed practical nurse, or similarly trained individual.
(b)
A home health aide, licensed practical nurse, or similarly trained individual is better able to provide quality personal care services, including assistance in feeding, bathing, and using the toilet. In the past, provision of supplemental compensation directly to injured employees may have encouraged family members to take on these responsibilities even though they may not have been trained to provide such services. By paying for the services under section 8103, OWCP can better determine whether the services provided are necessary and/or adequate to meet the needs of the injured employee. In addition, a system requiring the personal care provider to submit a bill to OWCP, where the amount billed will be subject to OWCP's fee schedule, will result in greater fiscal accountability.