OPM has told agencies to report by March 1 on the “physicians comparability allowance,” a form of recruitment/retention incentive payment under which agencies may pay up to $14,000 per year for a physician with 24 months or less of service as a government physician or up to $30,000 per year for a physician with more than 24 months.
In a memo, OPM said it is preparing a report to Congress on which agencies used the allowance; the nature and extent of recruiting and retention problems justifying the use of the allowance by each agency; the number of physicians that entered into PCA agreements by agency; the size of the allowances and duration of the agreements; and the degree to which the allowance alleviated recruiting and retention problems.
The memo notes that in previous years that information was collected through the OMB budget process.
Guidance Issued on Safety at Federal Worksites, Recalls from Telework
Federal Workplace Safety Order Addresses Scheduling, Distancing, and More
DHS Issues Warning on Federal Building Security, Domestic Threats