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The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation (DEEOIC) and Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation (DCMWC) are issuing claimants a new Medical Benefits Identification Card (MBIC). The MBIC will be mailed to you by August 31, 2026.

Once you receive and review your new MBIC, please begin using it immediately for all authorized medical services. Your previous card should be destroyed once you have the new card. This will not affect any of the medical services you currently receive.

As part of this update, Optum is now the Pharmacy Benefits Administrator (PBA) for DEEOIC and DCMWC pharmacy benefits. In addition to your new MBIC, you will receive a separate pharmacy card from Optum in the mail. Once you receive and review your new pharmacy card, please begin using it immediately for prescription drugs related to your accepted conditions) at your pharmacy. This will not affect any of the prescription medications you currently receive.

If you ever need a new MBIC or have not received your MBIC by August 31, 2026, please contact Acentra toll free at 1-866-272-2682 for the DEEOIC or 1-800-638-7072 for the Coal Mine Workers' Program.

If you ever need a new pharmacy card or have not received your pharmacy card from Optum by September 10, 2026, please contact Optum toll-free at 1-855-262-3790

for the DEEOIC or 1-855-924-4688 for the Coal Mine Workers' Program.

Would you like to learn more about DEEOIC and DCMWC's new pharmacy benefits

(source OWCP website)

**RECENT ELIGIBILITY TIMEFRAME EXTENDED FROM 1971 TO 1990**

If you worked in uranium mining, milling, or transported uranium ore, you may qualify for a $100,000 federal compensation payment through the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA).

To qualify, you must meet the following criteria:

You were employed in a uranium mine, mill, or transported uranium ore in an eligible state;
 

Your employment occurred between January 1, 1942, and December 31, 1990 for at least 12 months (either consecutive or total),
OR
You were exposed to 40 or more working level months of radiation during that time;
AND

After this period of exposure, you were diagnosed with one of the following health conditions:
Primary lung cancer
Nonmalignant respiratory illness
Primary renal cancer
Chronic kidney disease (such as nephritis or radiation-related kidney damage)
 

If you're unsure whether your work history or diagnosis meets the requirements, our team can help you understand your rights, collect the necessary documentation, and file your claim with confidence.

Health Conditions: If you worked in uranium mining, milling, or ore transportation and developed certain health issues after at least one year of employment, you may be eligible for compensation and medical benefits under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA).

Qualifying conditions include:Lung Cancer (Primary)
Lung Tissue Scarring (Fibrosis or Pulmonary Fibrosis)
Silicosis
Pneumoconiosis

Cor Pulmonale (heart condition related to lung disease)
 

For millers and ore transporters, additional covered conditions include:

Kidney Cancer (Primary Renal Cancer) Chronic Kidney Disease (such as nephritis or radiation-related damage)

"Downwinders" refers to people who lived in areas affected by radioactive fallout from nuclear weapons testing or uranium mining.  These individuals were exposed to radiation, and many have developed related illnesses, including various cancers. The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) provides compensation to certain downwinders who developed illnesses after exposure. 

Key aspects of the downwinder issue:

• Nuclear Testing and Uranium Mining:The U.S. conducted numerous atmospheric nuclear weapons tests in the 1950s and 60s, releasing radioactive materials that were carried by wind. Additionally, uranium mining and processing activities in the West also resulted in radioactive contamination. 
• Exposure and Health Effects:

Downwinders were exposed to radiation through fallout, contaminated air, water, and food chains. This exposure has been linked to an increased risk of various cancers (including leukemia, thyroid, breast, lung, and others), thyroid disease, and other health problems.