Division of Federal Employees'Compensation (DFEC)

Policy on Herbal Supplements

Beginning March, 2017, in accordance with the discretion granted to DOL and delegated to the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP), the Division of Federal Employees' Compensation (DFEC) is instituting a new policy on herbal supplements prescribed by physicians for treatment of work-related injuries or diseases. The Program's policy will be to not authorize payment for herbal supplements, unless a claimant's treating physician acquires prior authorization by submitting rationalized medical evidence that supports the herbal supplement's safety, effectiveness, and necessity. To implement this policy, OWCP will rely primarily on First DataBank (FDB) classification. Physicians seeking prior authorization for an herbal supplement should submit a written request directly to the responsible District Office as there is no form or other provision for authorization to be requested through the ACS Web Bill Processing Portal. Herbal supplements are authorized only on an exception basis on approval of the OWCP Chief Medical Officer or his/her designee.

March 16, 2017