While a case is at NIOSH for dose reconstruction, claimants and their authorized representatives receive various pieces of correspondence. This correspondence may provide case status, explanations of steps in the dose reconstruction process, dose reconstruction findings, and other helpful program information.
To answer questions about this correspondence, NIOSH developed a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below. Links to other program FAQs are located on the "Find It!" navigation box under "On this page . . . "
The correspondence listed below is arranged chronologically, according to when the letter or report is typically sent to claimants and their authorized representatives. Select the correspondence you are interested in by clicking its link below. You will be taken to the section of this page that lists FAQs about the correspondence. Links throughout the FAQs will guide you to further information.
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Acknowledgment Letter
- What is the Acknowledgement Letter?
The Acknowledgement Letter lets claimants know that NIOSH received the case from the Department of Labor (DOL) for dose reconstruction and provides general information on the dose reconstruction program.
An example of the acknowledgement letter and the enclosures provided with the letter are listed below:
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- When will I receive this letter?
You will receive the acknowledgement letter when NIOSH has received your case for compensation under EEOICPA (The Act) from DOL.
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- Is there anything I need to do after receiving the acknowledgement letter?
No action is required by you at that time.
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- Who do I contact if I have additional questions about the acknowledgement letter?
If you have additional questions about the acknowledgement letter, you can call your NIOSH Public Health Advisor directly (their name and number are provided on the letter). You can also call NIOSH toll-free at 1-877-222-7570.
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Telephone Interview Letter
- I received a letter in the mail stating that Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) will be conducting a telephone interview with me. What is the purpose of this telephone interview?
The telephone interview is voluntary and an opportunity for you to provide additional information on your work activities which may have contributed to your radiation exposures. In some cases, we know that the energy employee may have experienced additional situations that might have contributed to his/her radiation exposure that are not described in the radiation exposure information we receive. We also understand that survivors may not have any substantial information to provide.
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- How does ORAU determine the order for when the telephone interviews are conducted?
Our contractor, ORAU, is responsible for conducting the telephone interviews. ORAU has been instructed to conduct the interviews in the order that we have received the claims, whenever possible.
At times, specific information (e.g., exposure information, completed technical documents, or exposure models) may become available for certain sites that will allow ORAU to complete the draft dose reconstruction for claims originating from those sites. Therefore, ORAU may need to conduct the interviews for these cases so they can complete the dose reconstruction process (this will mean that some interviews will not occur in the order that we have received the cases).
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- How long does the telephone interview take?
On average, the telephone interview takes about an hour to complete.
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- Do I have to participate in the telephone interview?
No, you do not have to participate in the telephone interview. While we encourage all claimants to participate in the interview process, participation is voluntary. Even though some claimants may not be able to answer all of the questions during the interview or have limited answers to the questions, any information provided during the interview may be useful in the dose reconstruction process.
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- Who do I contact to decline the telephone interview?
Please call ORAU toll-free at 1-800-790-ORAU (1-800-790-6728) and ask to speak to a telephone interview scheduler. Please let them know that you do not wish to have a telephone interview.
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- Will the information I provide in the telephone interview be treated as confidential?
Yes, if you choose to be interviewed, the information you provide will be treated in a confidential manner unless otherwise compelled by law. The information you provide to ORAU
will be shared with staff working for NIOSH and DOL, both of whom have roles in administering this program.
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- I have special needs for the telephone interview (e.g., hearing impairment, Spanish-speaking interview, etc.). How will this be handled?
If you have any special needs for the telephone interview, ORAU will make arrangements to meet those special needs. No matter what the circumstance, we will provide each claimant with an opportunity to participate.
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- How can I prepare for the telephone interview?
To help you prepare for the telephone interview, we enclose a list of the questions that will be covered in the telephone interview letter (see examples below). When you
have reviewed the questions and feel that you are ready to schedule your telephone interview, please call ORAU toll-free at 1-800-790-ORAU (1-800-790-6728) and ask to speak to the telephone interview scheduler.
For additional information on the telephone interview, please see the Phone Interview Information page of our Web site.
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- Do I send the questionnaire back to ORAU once I've completed it?
No, please DO NOT send this questionnaire back to ORAU. ORAU will take this information by telephone.
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- When I'm ready to schedule the telephone interview, who do I contact?
When you have reviewed the enclosed questions and feel that you are ready to schedule your telephone interview, please call ORAU toll-free at 1-800-790-ORAU (1-800-790-6728) and ask to speak to the telephone interview scheduler.
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- What is the best time to call to schedule a telephone interview?
The best time to call to schedule a telephone interview is from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. However, we have found that calls placed between 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. may experience a shorter wait time for you in scheduling the interview.
Keep in mind that this initial call is simply to SCHEDULE your interview, not to actually perform the interview.
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- What is the next step in the process after I've had the telephone interview?
After the telephone interview has been completed, a summary report will be prepared and sent to you for your review. Your review will help us ensure the information accurately reflects what you provided to
us during the phone interview.
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- Who do I contact if I have additional questions about the telephone interview letter?
If you have additional questions about the telephone interview letter, please call ORAU toll-free at 1-800-790-ORAU (1-800-790-6728).
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Telephone Interview Summary Report
- What is the telephone interview summary report?
The telephone interview summary report summarizes the information you provided to our contractor, Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), during your initial telephone interview. You will receive this report after the telephone interview has occurred.
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- What is the purpose of the telephone interview summary report?
The purpose of the telephone interview report is to provide you with an opportunity to review the information you provided to us. Your review will help us ensure the information accurately reflects what you stated during the telephone interview.
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- Who do I contact if I have corrections or additions to make to the summary report?
If you have any corrections or additions to make to the report, please call ORAU toll-free at 1-800-790-ORAU (1-800-790-6728).
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- How is the information that I provided during the telephone interview used?
We will use this information, along with your exposure monitoring information, to conduct the dose reconstruction for your case.
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- What is the next step after the summary report is completed?
Once your case is ready for dose reconstruction, we will send another letter to you that provides information about NIOSH's policy of selecting a Health Physicist(s) to work on a dose reconstruction for a case. (See Conflict of Interest Letter)
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- Who do I contact if I have questions about the telephone interview summary report?
If you have any additional questions about the telephone interview summary report, please call ORAU toll-free at 1-800-790-ORAU (1-800-790-6728).
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Conflict of Interest Letter
- What does "conflict of interest" mean?
"Conflict of interest" means a potential, actual, or appearance of a conflict and/or bias between the obligations of a person as a NIOSH Dose Reconstruction Program employee or contractor, and a personal or corporate interest.
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- What is the conflict of interest letter?
The conflict of interest letter provides claimants and authorized representatives with information about NIOSH's/ORAU's policy of selecting a Health Physicist(s) to work on a dose reconstruction for a case. It states that a dose reconstruction will not be assigned to a Health Physicist who worked at the same covered facility as the energy employee represented in the case.
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- When will I receive the conflict of interest letter?
You will receive the conflict of interest letter after your case file has been reviewed and we have determined that all required information has been gathered from the available records sources.
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- Who do I contact if I have questions about the conflict of interest letter?
If you have questions about the conflict of interest letter, please call ORAU toll-free at 1-800-790-ORAU (1-800-790-6728).
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Draft NIOSH Report of Dose Reconstruction
- What is the draft dose reconstruction report?
The NIOSH draft dose reconstruction report is a summary report that provides a general overview of the dose reconstruction that NIOSH conducted for your case (e.g., dose reconstruction results, the basis on which the results were calculated, etc.).
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- Will I have the opportunity to review the draft dose reconstruction report?
Yes, we will send you a draft of the dose reconstruction report for you to review.
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- What happens after I receive the draft dose reconstruction report?
Our dose reconstruction contractor, Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), will attempt to contact you to schedule a convenient date and time for conducting a closing interview with you.
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- When does the closing interview occur?
The closing interview will occur after NIOSH has completed a reconstruction of the radiation dose and you have received a copy of the draft dose reconstruction report. Typically, the closing interview occurs within two weeks of receipt of the draft dose reconstruction report letter.
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- What is the purpose of the closing interview?
The purpose of the closing interview is to review the dose reconstruction results and the basis on which the
results were calculated. It is an opportunity for you to ask questions and share any concerns you may have about the draft dose reconstruction report. This will be the final opportunity during the dose reconstruction process for you to
provide additional relevant information that may affect the dose reconstruction or indicate that you are in the
process of obtaining such information.
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- Do I have to participate in the closing interview?
No. Participation in the closing interview is voluntary.
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- What if I disagree with the draft dose reconstruction report?
If you disagree with the draft dose reconstruction report, you will have an opportunity to state your disagreement to the final dose reconstruction report once you receive DOL's recommended decision on your case. Procedures for stating your disagreement are described in the DOL recommended decision. You can also contact the DOL District Office where you originally filed your claim for additional information:
- Jacksonville, FL: 1-877-336-4272
- Cleveland, OH: 1-888-859-7211
- Denver, CO: 1-888-805-3389
- Seattle, WA: 1-888-805-3401
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- What happens if NIOSH revises my draft dose reconstruction report?
If NIOSH revises your draft dose reconstruction report, you will be sent a revised copy of the report, which takes the place of any previous dose reconstruction reports we have sent you. Shortly thereafter, ORAU will attempt to contact you to schedule a convenient date and time for conducting a new closing interview with you.
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- The probability of causation stated in my dose reconstruction report is 50% or greater. Does this mean that my claim will be compensated by DOL?
No, the dose reconstruction report does not present a probability of causation number. The results of the NIOSH dose reconstruction do not determine whether or not a claim is compensated. Once the dose reconstruction is completed by NIOSH, the case is returned to DOL. At that time, DOL will determine whether or not the cancer was "at least as likely as not" caused by exposure to radiation during employment at a covered facility. Based upon this determination, DOL will either award or deny compensation.
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- There is an OCAS-1 Form included along with my draft dose reconstruction report. What is the purpose of this form?
The OCAS-1 Form tells NIOSH that at the time you sign the form, you do not have any additional information to share with us that might be related to the dose reconstruction for your case and the dose reconstruction is complete and can be forwarded to DOL for a decision on your claim. Signing the form does not mean that you agree or disagree with the dose reconstruction.
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- Do I have to sign and return the OCAS-1 Form?
Yes. The OCAS-1 Form must be properly signed (just your signature and date on the form) and returned to our office in order for us to forward your final dose reconstruction report to DOL for a decision on your claim.
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- Does my signature on the OCAS-1 Form indicate that I agree with the draft dose reconstruction report?
No. Your signature on the OCAS-1 Form only tells NIOSH that at the time you sign the form, you do not have any additional information that might be important to the dose reconstruction for your case.
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- How long do I have to return the signed OCAS-1 Form?
You have 60 days to return the signed OCAS-1 Form to NIOSH.
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- Can I wait until the closing interview before I return the signed OCAS-1 Form?
Yes. You can sign and return the OCAS-1 Form after you have your closing interview. However, you still have 60 days from the date you receive the draft dose reconstruction report to return the signed OCAS-1 Form to NIOSH.
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- What happens if I do not return the signed OCAS-1 Form?
If NIOSH does not receive your signed OCAS-1 Form within 60 days, we cannot forward your final dose reconstruction report to DOL for a decision on your claim. If this happens, NIOSH may administratively close the dose reconstruction case and notify DOL of this action. A dose reconstruction that has been administratively closed can be reopened once the signed OCAS-1 Form is received by NIOSH.
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- What does "administratively close" mean?
Per NIOSH, "administratively close" means that the case has been closed by NIOSH and the case will not be forwarded to DOL. For example, a case could be administratively closed if the claimant does not sign and return the OCAS-1 Form within 60 days of receiving it. The case can be reopened once the signed OCAS-1 Form is submitted.
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- The required time period to return the OCAS-1 Form has expired, but I have extenuating circumstances that delayed its return. Can I return the signed OCAS-1 Form at this time?
This case may have been administratively closed since NIOSH did not receive a properly signed OCAS-1 Form within the required time period. You can still sign and return the form to us at this time. If it is properly signed (just your signature and date on the form), we will send the dose reconstruction report to DOL for their consideration.
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- I have multiple siblings who are also claimants. One of them has not (or refuses) to sign and return the OCAS-1 Form. How will this affect my case?
The OCAS-1 Form must be signed and returned by at least one claimant for the case to proceed to DOL for a final decision. If DOL determines that an award is appropriate for your case, a portion of the compensation will only be awarded to individuals that have submitted a signed OCAS-1 Form.
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- What happens to a claimant's award money if it is not claimed?
If DOL determines that an award is appropriate for a case that has multiple claimants, a portion of the compensation will only be awarded to individuals that have submitted a signed OCAS-1 Form (claimed the award). The award money will be set aside for all other claimants until they return the signed OCAS-1 Form.
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- What happens after I return my signed OCAS-1 Form to NIOSH?
Once NIOSH receives your signed OCAS-1 Form, a final dose reconstruction report will be sent to DOL and to you. DOL will use the information in the final report to assist them in determining whether or not your claim qualifies for compensation.
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- Who do I contact if I have additional questions about the draft dose reconstruction report?
If you have any additional questions regarding the draft dose reconstruction report, please contact ORAU toll-free at 1-800-790-ORAU (1-800-790-6728).
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Final NIOSH Report of Dose Reconstruction
- What is the NIOSH dose reconstruction final report?
This is the final NIOSH Report of Dose Reconstruction that provides the dose reconstruction results for your case and the basis on which the results were calculated.
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- When will I receive the final dose reconstruction report?
You should receive this report after we have received a properly signed OCAS-1 Form. This report will be forwarded to DOL for their use in determining whether or not to compensate your claim. A copy will also be sent to the Department of Energy (DOE).
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- How is the final dose reconstruction report used in DOL's compensation decision?
The information in the tables at the end of the final NIOSH dose reconstruction report is used by DOL to determine the probability of causation - the probability that a worker's cancer was "at least as likely as not" due to his/her occupational exposure to ionizing radiation during employment at a covered facility.
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- What if I disagree with the final dose reconstruction report?
If you disagree with the draft dose reconstruction report, you will have an opportunity to state your disagreement to the final dose reconstruction report once you receive DOL's recommended decision on your case. Procedures for stating your disagreement are described in the DOL recommended decision. You can also contact the DOL District Office where you originally filed your claim for additional information:
- Jacksonville, FL: 1-877-336-4272
- Cleveland, OH: 1-888-859-7211
- Denver, CO: 1-888-805-3389
- Seattle, WA: 1-888-805-3401
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- What if I remember additional information that may be important to my dose reconstruction after DOL has made a decision?
If you have additional information about your case after DOL has made a decision, you can contact DOL and provide them with the information. DOL will then decide whether or not your case should be reopened and returned to NIOSH for rework.
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- Who do I contact if I have any additional questions regarding the final dose reconstruction report?
If you have any additional questions regarding the final dose reconstruction report, please contact our contractor, Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), toll-free at 1-800-790-ORAU (1-800-790-6728) or NIOSH toll free at 1-877-222-7570.
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Page last updated: November 3, 2008
Page last reviewed: May 30, 2008
Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
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