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Georgia Workers' Compensation System Moving Toward Paperless Sytstem
Author: | Wednesday September 07, 2005
Georgia's State Board of Workers' Compensation is moving forward on its ICMS project which will eliminate paper and make the system more efficient for all participants in the system.
New Forms for the Paperless System
By Jan Dillard, Ph.D., ICMS Project Manager
New improved forms for a paperless system? It seems odd to be issuing new forms in preparation of a paperless system. However, realizing that paper forms will continue to be used for a while, the State Board of Workers' Compensation is doing just that. The Board is issuing new forms in anticipation of changes coming with the automated ICMS (Integrated Claims Management System) project.
The Board has reviewed each form and the processes associated with them. Almost every form has been updated in some way to make them more user-friendly and compatible with the new system. The new forms became effective August 1st, 2005 and are available on the SBWC web site. Old forms should be destroyed.
Form Changes
New look. One of the first changes you will notice is a new look. The forms have been completely redesigned for both content and readability. Information has been grouped into sections and redundant information has been eliminated.
New Claim Number.
A critical feature of the automated system will be a new Claim Number that is generated by the ICMS system. This unique identifier will appear on every claim-related form. If you are submitting claim-related information (other than an originating document such as a WC-1 or WC-14, Notice of Claim), you must include this unique claim number. All claim-related forms have been updated to include this unique number.
Email. Another important feature in the new system will be the use of email. The system will automatically generate various notices and reminders for certain individuals. To receive these notices and reminders, the Board must have a current, accurate email address of the individual receiving the notice. The forms have been updated to include such email addresses where appropriate. Many of the notices and reminders will not be sent in US Postal mail under the new system.
New Forms. In addition, four new forms have been created. The WC-14a allows a party to revise certain claim identifying information as well as issues identified on a WC-14. The WC-262 provides wage documentation of Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) payments (light duty pay). The WC-R5 allows a party to request a rehabilitation conference. The Change of Address form allows individuals or organizations to change an address currently in the system.
Additional Revisions. Other changes include a major revision to the WC-1. The Wage Statement of the WC-1 has been removed and wage information will be collected on the WC-6. The WC-26 will now provide a summary of annual payments for indemnity claims as well as Medical Only reports.
Obtain the New Forms. To access the new and revised forms, go to the State Board of Workers' Compensation web site at http://sbwc.georgia.gov. Remember, please destroy the old forms.
Update on Implementation
ICMS is being implemented in four phases. The first phase concentrates on the creation and processing of new claims. This phase is expected to be implemented in the Fall of 2005. The second phase will focus on ADR, hearings, and appellate processes.
In the third phase ICMS will offer the on-line submission of claims over the Internet as well as Managed Care & Rehabilitation related actions. The fourth and final phase will provide the capability for Insurers, Self Insurers and Third Party Agents (TPAs) to send claim information via Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). Dates for the implementation of the remaining phases will be announced.
Users of the web-based system will be able to register on-line. This registration will include a User Identification Name and a password unique to each individual. More details will be provided on the SBWC web site as this capability becomes available.
Annual Conference Cyber Café
Highlights of the ICMS system were presented at the Board’s Annual Conference. A number of professionals attended the ICMS presentation at the Cyber Café on Monday afternoon, August 29th to see an overview of the new system.
About the Author: Jan Dillard, Ph.D., PMP, is President and Founder of Glenridge Consulting Group, LLC, which specializes in Project Management for Information Technology projects. Glenridge provides project leaders and support personnel to augment existing technology systems.
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