OWCP medical-travel reimbursement is program-specific. Under FECA, transportation must be for authorized medical services; under EEOICPA, travel must relate to care for an accepted or approved condition. OWCP-957A is the mileage form for FECA and EEOICPA, while OWCP-957B covers other travel expenses and is also used for Black Lung claims. The applicable GSA privately owned vehicle rate is 72.5 cents per mile for January 1–June 30, 2026, and 76 cents per mile for July 1–December 31, 2026. The filing limit is not simply one year from the trip date: 20 CFR 10.803 and 30.703 measure it from the end of the applicable calendar year, with a later limit when OWCP first accepts the claim in a later calendar year.
What is OWCP travel reimbursement?
Under FECA, transportation may be reimbursed when it is necessary to obtain authorized medical services. Under EEOICPA, reimbursable travel must be connected to care for an accepted or approved condition. Eligibility and authorization must be evaluated under the rules for the claimant’s program.
Travel to any of the following typically qualifies:
- Your treating physician for appointments related to the accepted condition
- Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and rehabilitation visits
- Imaging and diagnostic testing — X-ray, MRI, CT, EMG
- Second-opinion and referee examinations that OWCP directs you to attend
- Specialist appointments when the care and travel meet the applicable program’s authorization rules
DFEC and DEEOIC both provide medical-travel reimbursement, but their distance and preauthorization rules differ. Black Lung claimants use OWCP-957B and should follow the Black Lung instructions.
Which form do you need: 957A or 957B?
| Form | What it claims | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| OWCP-957A | Mileage only | Round-trip miles driven in your own vehicle to an authorized appointment |
| OWCP-957B | All other travel expenses | Parking, tolls, public transit, rideshare/taxi, lodging, airfare, rental car |
Use the form assigned to the program and expense. For FECA and EEOICPA, mileage goes on OWCP-957A and other listed expenses go on OWCP-957B. Black Lung claimants use OWCP-957B. Incomplete, unsigned, or unsupported claims can be delayed or cannot be processed.
The 2026 GSA mileage rate
The 2026 GSA privately owned vehicle rate was 72.5 cents per mile for travel from January 1 through June 30. GSA raised the rate to 76 cents per mile for travel from July 1 through December 31. Use the rate in effect on the travel date and follow the reimbursement rules for the applicable OWCP program.
Not the date you file. If you're claiming trips from December 2025 and January 2026 on the same form, they're reimbursed at two different rates. The rate changes every January, so check the current figure before filing for older travel.
The math is straightforward: round-trip miles × the rate for that date. For travel on or after July 1, 2026, a 24-mile round trip reimburses at 24 × $0.76 = $18.24. Twice a week for twelve weeks is 576 miles, or $437.76 at that rate.
How to file Form OWCP-957A, step by step
- Enter your identifying information — your name, your OWCP case file number, and the date range the form covers. A missing case number is the fastest way to have the form returned.
- List each trip on its own line — the date, where you traveled from, where you traveled to, and the round-trip mileage. Be specific about destinations: "Dr. Smith, 5765 S Rainbow Blvd" rather than "doctor."
- Total the miles and apply the rate for the travel date. Write legibly — illegible mileage entries get kicked back.
- Sign and date the form. An unsigned form is not a valid claim and OWCP will not process it.
- Submit online, or by mail. As of March 14, 2026, DFEC and DEEOIC claimants can file 957A and 957B travel bills electronically. Register and log in through ECOMP — that's the gateway — which takes you to the WCMBP Claimant Portal at owcpmed.dol.gov, where a "Submit/View Travel Bill (Form 957A/B)" option appears. You can upload supporting documents there and review bills you've already submitted. Filing that way means no paper form is needed. Mailing the form to your district office is still an option.
Deadlines and documentation
- Under 20 CFR 10.803 and 30.703, a bill is untimely if submitted more than one year beyond the end of the calendar year in which the expense occurred or service was provided, or more than one year beyond the end of the calendar year in which OWCP first accepted the claim as compensable, whichever is later.
- For OWCP-957B expenses, attach receipts for each listed expense. The current form does not state a $75 threshold or require original paper receipts.
- The trip must meet the claimant’s program rules: authorized medical services under FECA, or care related to an accepted or approved condition under EEOICPA.
- Keep your own copy of every form you submit, along with the appointment records that support it.
When travel needs prior authorization
- DFEC / FECA: roundtrip travel up to 100 miles is generally considered reasonable. Prior written OWCP authorization is required for travel over 100 miles roundtrip, air travel, or overnight travel under 20 CFR 10.315.
- DEEOIC / EEOICPA: travel of 200 miles or less roundtrip does not require preauthorization. Travel over 200 miles roundtrip requires Claims Examiner authorization for the approved transportation and related expenses.
- Black Lung: OWCP-957B instructions require special approval for travel over 100 miles one way or 200 miles roundtrip.
Why travel claims get delayed or denied
- Missing or wrong case file number — the form can't be matched to your claim.
- Unsigned form — OWCP cannot process an unsigned travel claim.
- Mileage and expenses combined on one form instead of split across 957A and 957B.
- Illegible or incomplete entries that prevent OWCP from evaluating the claim.
- Missing receipts for expenses that require them.
- Travel that does not meet the applicable authorization or accepted-condition requirements.
- Submitting outside the time limit in 20 CFR 10.803 or 30.703.
Keep travel records separate from clinical care
The treating clinic documents the medical visit; OWCP determines whether travel expenses are payable. Keep the appointment record, destination, mileage, receipts, and any required prior written authorization with your copy of the submitted form.
NuThera can provide records of care delivered at its clinics, but it does not decide travel eligibility, authorize reimbursement, or guarantee payment. Contact OWCP or assigned claims staff for program-specific travel questions.
NuThera is OWCP-enrolled with two Las Vegas Valley locations:
- Las Vegas (Rainbow / Spring Valley): 5765 S Rainbow Blvd, Ste 111, Las Vegas, NV 89118-2537
- North Las Vegas (Aliante): 3880 W Ann Rd #130, North Las Vegas, NV 89031
Bring the correct travel form and keep copies of your appointment record, mileage log, receipts, and any required prior authorization. NuThera can document care delivered at our clinics; OWCP decides reimbursement.
Keep exploring.
- FECA medical-travel rule — 20 CFR 10.315
Official FECA rule for transportation and prior written authorization thresholds.
- FECA bill time limit — 20 CFR 10.803
Official filing-time rule measured from the end of the applicable calendar year.
- EEOICPA bill time limit — 20 CFR 30.703
Official EEOICPA filing-time rule.
- DEEOIC travel-expense guidance
Official DEEOIC medical-travel guidance.
- Download OWCP-957A / 957B travel forms
The full DOL forms library with direct official links to OWCP-957A, OWCP-957B, and every other form referenced in this guide.
- OWCP Overview
How NuThera supports federal workers through the full claim lifecycle — filing, authorization, treatment, and documentation.
- How much does OWCP pay? Wage-loss rates
Travel reimbursement is separate from wage-loss compensation — here's how the 66⅔% and 75% rates work.
- OWCP claim denied? What to do next
Travel is only reimbursable for accepted conditions, so if the underlying claim is denied, start here.
- OWCP schedule awards explained
The permanent-impairment benefit — separate again from both travel and wage-loss compensation.
- OWCP clinic near you
Rainbow Blvd (Las Vegas) and Ann Rd (North Las Vegas) — addresses, hours, and directions for both OWCP-enrolled locations.
Common questions.
Does OWCP pay for travel to the doctor?
Potentially. Under FECA, transportation must be for authorized medical services. Under EEOICPA, travel must relate to care for an accepted or approved condition. FECA and EEOICPA claimants use OWCP-957A for mileage and OWCP-957B for other expenses; Black Lung claimants use OWCP-957B.
What is the OWCP mileage reimbursement rate for 2026?
The GSA privately owned vehicle rate is 72.5 cents per mile for travel from January 1 through June 30, 2026, and 76 cents per mile for travel from July 1 through December 31, 2026. Use the rate in effect on the travel date and follow the applicable OWCP program rules.
What is the difference between OWCP-957A and OWCP-957B?
OWCP-957A is the mileage form for FECA and EEOICPA. OWCP-957B lists other travel expenses and is also the form Black Lung claimants use. Complete the form that matches the program and expense type.
How long do I have to file an OWCP travel claim?
The limit is not simply one year from the travel date. Under 20 CFR 10.803 and 30.703, it runs one year beyond the end of the calendar year in which the expense occurred or service was provided, or one year beyond the end of the calendar year in which OWCP first accepted the claim as compensable, whichever is later.
Can I submit OWCP-957 forms online?
Yes. Since March 14, 2026, DFEC and DEEOIC claimants can submit both forms online. You register and log in through ECOMP, which takes you into the WCMBP Claimant Portal at owcpmed.dol.gov — look for "Submit/View Travel Bill (Form 957A/B)" after logging in. You can attach receipts there and view previously submitted travel bills. No paper form is required when you file this way; mailing to your district office remains an option.
Do I need pre-approval to travel to my OWCP doctor?
It depends on the program. Under FECA, more than 100 miles roundtrip, air travel, or overnight travel requires prior written OWCP authorization. Under EEOICPA, travel of 200 miles or less roundtrip does not require preauthorization, while travel over 200 miles does. Black Lung instructions require special approval for travel over 100 miles one way or 200 miles roundtrip.