The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) announced it is expanding its pharmacy benefit model to include Black Lung, Longshore and Harbor Workers, and Energy Employees programs.

The intent is to broaden beneficiary coverage, enhance benefit protections, and improve drug price transparency. No immediate operational changes were announced, and no implementation guidance or timelines have been issued.

The model was originally implemented in 2018 under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) to improve pricing transparency, strengthen clinical oversight, and reduce drug costs through formulary management, utilization controls, and oversight of the pharmacy benefit administrator, while ensuring access to medically necessary medications.

Since FECA’s implementation, prescription drug spending decreased from approximately $226 million in 2018 to $39.8 million in 2025.

This development signals a shift toward a standardized OWCP pharmacy model that could impact how pharmacy services are managed for Longshore and Black Lung claimants. While no immediate changes have been announced, it signals a potential shift that may affect pricing oversight, formulary controls, and pharmacy administration over time.