Changes Impacting Indiana Worker's Compensation Claim Administration
EDI 3.1
The Worker’s Compensation Board of Indiana transitioned to a new, updated Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) system on March 20, 2019. EDI 3.1 is designed to make information on the Board-filed forms more useful to it. Coinciding with the EDI rollout on March 20, the Board partially shut down the Forms Portal. The exception is Form 54217, Notice of Suspension of Compensation and/or Benefits. The Forms Portal will completely shut down on June 3, 2019.
Some paper forms will need to continue to be submitted to the Board, however. For instance, Form 1043 for permanent partial impairment payments and the Waiver should be submitted to the Board in paper form. Any form that contains a claimant signature should also be submitted to the Board in paper form, regardless if the Form was initially submitted in electronic form.
All other forms that were previously filed using the Board's Forms Portal will now be generated by the EDI system, through the Subsequent Report of Injury (SROI). A link to download and print this form will be emailed to the claim representative. Some questions remain how the information submitted under the old EDI system will be migrated to the new system.
If not already registered users, self-insured employers and administrators need to register and participate in testing. There is a manual entry option available for low volume filing. Finally, it is useful to subscribe to receive alerts from the Board or check the News and Notices section of the Board's website, https://www.in.gov/wcb/.
As we move into a move automated filing system, remember to keep records of each submission in the event you are asked to prove the appropriate form was timely filed.
Proposed Legislation
Two proposed bills, which will impact Indiana worker's compensation practice, are currently in committee. The first, Senate Bill 358, proposes increasing worker's compensation benefits by 2% each year for three years. The second, House Bill 1182, proposes increasing the maximum burial expense amount to $12,500 and expanding the definition of an employee to include volunteer firefighters. If passed, both bills would be effective July 1, 2019.
New Judge
Sandra O'Brien joined the Board as the Single Hearing Member responsible for claims in Northwest Indiana. Ms. O'Brien is an experienced worker's compensation attorney, who has represented claimants before the Board primarily in NW Indiana.
Stay tuned for more updates. If you have any questions about Indiana worker's compensation practice and the changes at the Board, please contact Ann Stewart.
This publication is intended for general information purposes only and does not and is not intended to constitute legal advice. The reader should consult with legal counsel to determine how laws or decisions discussed herein apply to the reader’s specific circumstances.