Department of Labor & Industry Secretary Julia Hearthway announced the implementation of the Workers’ Compensation Automation and Integration System, or WCAIS, earlier this week.
The new automated system to manage the state’s workers’ compensation system integrates the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, the Workers’ Compensation Office of Adjudication and the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board, resulting in increased efficiencies for insurers, employers and claimants.
“The new WCAIS system, the first of its kind in the nation, will help Labor & Industry serve the citizens of Pennsylvania more expediently,” Hearthway said. “WCAIS will simplify and automate the workers’ compensation system, enhancing customer service and streamlining claims handling and resolution.”
The merging of these programs into WCAIS will give the workers’ compensation community access to all workers’ compensation matters in one place, including claims, disputes and appeal information. The system will provide the community with greater transparency, 24/7 availability of online services, faster claims processing and resolution times and improved data management.
WCAIS will also introduce Electronic Data Interchange, or EDI, a national standard for documenting and reporting claims transactions with the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. The new EDI system will provide for the filing of most claims-related forms online, increasing efficiency and reducing costs and the use of paper forms.
“With a more agile and customer-friendly system, carriers, third-party administrators and self-insured employers should experience cost savings as a result of the streamlined process,” Hearthway said.
For more information, visit www.dli.state.pa.us/wcais.