Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation
Monthly benefits and medical care for current and former coal miners totally disabled due to pneumoconiosis (black lung disease) arising from coal mine employment, and for their eligible survivors.
Authorizing legislation: Black Lung Benefits Act (BLBA)
Yes — NuThera accepts patients under DCMWC / Black Lung. Our physicians and physician associates are enrolled with the DOL Office of Workers' Compensation Programs and experienced in the evidentiary standards Black Lung Benefits Act (BLBA) requires.
Worker populations covered.
- Current and former coal miners with total disability from pneumoconiosis
- Coal mine workers who worked in underground or surface coal mining
- Coal mine construction, transportation, and maintenance workers
- Eligible surviving spouses and dependents of coal miners who died from black lung disease
What DCMWC / Black Lung provides.
- Monthly compensation — amount depends on miner's status (living or deceased) and dependents
- Medical benefits for the treatment of black lung disease and related conditions
- Pulmonary rehabilitation and specialist care
- Oxygen therapy and durable medical equipment when medically necessary
- Survivor benefits for dependents
What DCMWC / Black Lung treats.
What DCMWC / Black Lung documentation looks like.
Every DCMWC / Black Lung program has its own evidentiary standards and required forms. Our clinical team produces program-specific documentation at every visit.
- CM-911 (Miner's Claim for Benefits) or CM-912 (Survivor's Claim)
- Coal mine employment history — specific mines, dates, job duties, exposure levels
- Pulmonary function tests (spirometry, arterial blood gases)
- Chest X-ray interpreted by a NIOSH-certified B-reader
- HRCT (high-resolution CT) scans when indicated
- Physician's narrative opinion on disability and causation
About DCMWC / Black Lung.
Are there coal miners in Nevada eligible for Black Lung benefits?
Nevada has had limited coal mining historically, but DCMWC covers miners who worked anywhere in the U.S. — Appalachia, Wyoming, Utah, or elsewhere. Former miners who moved to Nevada after leaving the industry can still file claims and receive covered medical care here.
How is DCMWC different from regular workers' compensation?
DCMWC is specifically for coal miners and uses disease-focused criteria (pulmonary function, radiographic findings, employment history) rather than traumatic injury standards. Claims have unique evidentiary requirements — for example, chest X-rays must be interpreted by a NIOSH-certified B-reader.
Can I file a Black Lung claim after I've retired?
Yes. Many Black Lung claims are filed years or decades after leaving coal mine employment, because pneumoconiosis has a long latency period. You or your survivors can file a claim at any time after the disease becomes apparent.
Do you treat Black Lung patients at NuThera?
We coordinate respiratory care and ongoing primary care for Black Lung beneficiaries. Specialized pulmonary care may involve referral to a pulmonologist, and we work with the DCMWC program for authorization of covered services. Call to discuss your specific situation.
NuThera serves the full DOL spectrum.
The primary federal workers' compensation program, covering over 2.6 million federal civilian employees across all agencies for work-related injuries and occupational diseases.
Compensation and lifetime medical benefits for current and former Department of Energy workers, DOE contractors, uranium workers, and atomic weapons employees exposed to radiation, beryllium, and other toxic substances — especially relevant to Nevada Test Site workers.
Qualify under DCMWC / Black Lung?
Call us to schedule an evaluation. Bring your prior records, employment history, and claim information.