State Launches Quick Electronic Filing For Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Jan. 9, 2004
No. 04-29

JUNEAU – State labor officials and computer programmers have installed and tested an electronic system to transmit workers’ compensation insurance filings over the Internet, reducing data processing time from hours to minutes.

The technology, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), became operational this month in the Division of Workers’ Compensation of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Proof of Coverage (POC) filings for workers’ compensation insurance that previously required up to eight hours to file manually are processed electronically in 15 to 20 minutes.

Labor Commissioner Greg O’Claray said the high-tech system is a “win-win improvement. Workers benefit from more efficient response times and insurers and employers can reduce their processing and postage costs.”

O’Claray added, “Workers’ compensation insurance is vitally important. It ensures that Alaska’s workforce is protected against financial losses due to on-the-job injuries and illnesses.” The National Council on Compensation Insurance reports that 28 states including Alaska have adopted electronic POC filings.

Workers’ Compensation Director Paul Lisankie said department programmers and workers’ compensation staff worked in-house to develop the new filing system. “With electronic filing,” he added, “Proof of Coverage confirmation is submitted within 48 hours of a policy issue date, a process that formerly required up to 60 days.”

Alaska employers are required to provide the division with proof of workers compensation insurance for all employees. The division receives as many as 50,000 coverage notifications each year, including confirmations of new policies, cancellations and reinstatements.

News Media Contacts:
Paul Lisankie, DOLWD Workers’ Compensation Div., 907.465.2790 or
Joe Holbert, Special Assistant/Communications, 907.465.5673

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