May xx, 2002
BULLETIN NO. 02 - xx
TO THE HEADS AND ACTING HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ESTABLISHMENTS
SUBJECT: Physicians Comparability Allowance Data Reporting Requirements
- Purpose. This Bulletin, which includes Attachments A and B, provides guidance on data reporting requirements for the Physicians Comparability Allowance (PCA) program. The Bulletin is issued pursuant to the 2001 edition of OMB Circular No. A-11, section 32.2 (b)(12).
- Background. OMB collects data on PCA program operations to prepare the Presidential report and to assess Federal physician recruitment and retention needs. These data help ensure consistent, government-wide implementation and also are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the PCA program.
- Content of This Year's Report: Reporting requirements for this year's PCA report are substantially the same as last year's. Attachment A is a listing of Federal agencies that are required to submit PCA data under this Bulletin. Attachment B is a data worksheet to be completed by agencies reporting the required PCA data. Organizational components of PCA reporting agencies that employed more than 100 physicians who received PCA payments during FY 2001 are to submit separate reports by component (using the PCA worksheets), in addition to a composite report for the entire Department/agency.
- Due Dates for the 2002 Presidential Report information and for the FY 2003 PCA Plans.
- Contact. Questions regarding this Bulletin should be directed to the agencys OMB representative.
- Termination Date. This Bulletin will terminate as soon as the requested data have been submitted.
Collection of the data by OMB is required to monitor government-wide PCA usage, physician employment, and physician compensation. The data will be used to evaluate the effect of the PCA program on Federal physician recruitment and retention and to issue the 2002 Presidential Report on the Physicians Comparability Allowance in accordance with the Federal Physicians Comparability Allowance Act as amended (5 U.S.C. 5948).
Later this fiscal year, agencies are also required to submit to OMB for approval a complete description of their plans for implementing the PCA program in fiscal year 2003.
Office of Personnel Management (OPM) regulations implementing the PCA program require OMB approval of agency plans to pay allowances. The OPM regulations are published in 5 CFR 595.
Instructions for completing PCA worksheets are posted on OMBs website at: /omb/bulletins/phycomp-inst02.pdf. In addition, a copy of last years Presidential PCA report to the Congress is included for reference purposes at: /omb/bulletins/phycomp-rpt01.pdf.
(a) Agencies are to furnish the requested PCA information for the 2002 Presidential Report by May 30, 2002.
(b) Agencies are to submit PCA plan descriptions for FY 2003 by September 6, 2002 using the format of the FY 2002 PCA plans.
Director
Attachments
Attachment B, Physicians' Comparability Allowance Reporting Worksheet [Excel]
ATTACHMENT A
Bulletin No. 02-xx
Agencies with currently approved PCA Plans
Department of Justice
Department of Labor
Department of State
Department of Transportation
Department of the Treasury
Department of Veterans Affairs
Agency for International Development
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Central Intelligence Agency
Environmental Protection Agency
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Peace Corps
Social Security Administration
Agencies that have employed or now employ physicians eligible for PCA
Tennessee Valley Authority
NOTE: Agencies not listed that employ physicians eligible for PCA are also covered by this Bulletin.