Immigrations and Customs Enforcement had 2,253 cases totaling approximately $21 million in workers’ compensation-related costs in fiscal 2012, and has not effectively managed its Federal Employees’ Compensation Act program to control costs, the DHS inspector general has said.
It said the agency has not ensured correct processing of claims and monitoring of workers’ compensation cases, and that it has not implemented management controls needed to manage the program.
As a result, ICE has not minimized lost workdays and related compensation costs, the IG said, adding that it found five cases in which individuals received about $1 million after they were cleared to return to work.
Further, DHS has not provided formal written guidance that establishes minimum standards for administering the FECA program.
Management agreed to develop and implement FECA management policies and procedures addressing claims review, third party billing, claims challenges, salary recovery, records maintenance, and training. It also agreed to develop and implement a policy for providing light duty assignments to claimants cleared to return to work with restrictions (an issue the IG says remains open and ongoing).
Finally DHS also agreed to develop and implement policies and procedures that establish requirements for effective FECA management and administration department-wide.
