DEEOIC and NIOSH Develop Process to Expedite Dose Reconstruction

The Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation (DEEOIC) issued an update on the effects NIOSH’s Cybersecurity Modernization Initiative.  This Initiative has caused a delay on processing claims that require a dose reconstruction.

DEEOIC said that they are forwarding claims that require a dose reconstruction to NIOSH.  DEEOIC’s statement also says that they and NIOSH are actively working together to develop a process where workers who are terminally ill can have their dose reconstructed in an expedited manner.

After DEEOIC published this notice, Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) reached out to NIOSH about the progress on expediting claims for terminally ill workers.  They responded that they have developed a process to expedite these claims,

For claimants who are terminal, when DOL informs us that a claimant is terminal, that claim goes to the front of the line and will be worked using more manual methods.  So far NIOSH has been successful in completing this for multiple claims.

NIOSH will also provide and update to the Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health during their teleconference on June 23, 2021.  The meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. EDT.  Call access information can be found on their agenda.

DEEOIC will continue to process Part B claims for chronic beryllium disease, silicosis, and cancer claims which are covered under a Special Exposure Cohort.  DEEOIC will also continue to develop cancer claims under Part E to determine if a claim can be approved if a toxic substance other than radiation is shown to have resulted in the cancer.  If that exposure link cannot be made, that cancer claim will need to wait until NIOSH reconstructs the dose.