What is EDI?
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) involves the computer-to-computer exchange of data between companies and the State of Alaska Division of Workers' Compensation. EDI is intended to replace paper filings with electronic transactions. Information sent electronically, as opposed to paper filing, is faster, cheaper, reduces the amount of human error, and improves the quantity and quality of data captured.

Who developed EDI standards for Workers' Compensation?
The State of Alaska Division of Workers' Compensation uses standards developed by the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC). IAIABC is a non-profit trade association representing workers' compensation agencies, insurance professionals, medical providers, and claims administrators throughout the United States, Canada, and other nations. IAIABC collaborates with many trade and research organizations, including the National Academy for Social Insurance, the Workers' Compensation Research Institute, and the Insurance Data Management Institute. In partnership with these parties, IAIABC has developed formal standards and guidelines for using EDI technology in the workers' compensation industry.

What type of information can be sent using EDI technology?
IAIABC has developed implementation guidelines for the following:

• Proof of Workers' Compensation Insurance Coverage
• First and Subsequent Reports of Injury
• Medical Treatment and Bill Payment Records

The implementation guide is available to IAIABC members on the IAIABC's website at www.iaiabc.org

EDI filing for Proof of Coverage (POC) has been implemented as of January 1, 2004. The State of Alaska Division Workers' Compensation is currently developing the implementation of EDI filing for the Claims Release 3 format. Electronic filing of a First Report of Injury (FROI) is intended to replace the paper filing of the Report of Occupational Injury or Illness (form 07-6101). The electronic reporting of a Subsequent Report Injury (SROI) is intended to replace the paper filing of a Compensation Report (form 07-6104). Alaska has no current timetable for implementing electronic reporting of Medical Treatment and Bill Payment Records, currently submitted in paper on form 07-6102.

Who can send information using EDI technology?
Any approved trading partner may send electronic data to and receive electronic data from Workers' Compensation. A trading partner is a business who has formally entered into a written agreement with the Alaska Workers' Compensation Division to electronically transmit data required to be submitted to the State under the Alaska Workers' Compensation Act. These businesses are typically an Insurance Carrier (Insurer), State approved Self-Insured Employer, an Independent Claims Adjusting Company, or other Third Party Vendor.

How does a company start submitting information using EDI technology?
An insurer or claims administrator can elect to electronically submit data directly to Workers' Compensation, or use the services of an approved third party vendor. Companies interested in submitting FROI and SROI data electronically need to review the material at http://www.adoledi.info/.

Workers' Compensation acceptance of data reporting via EDI is contingent upon receipt of a properly completed Trading Partner Agreement and successful testing.

Worker’s Compensation Timelines

• Testing with trading partners in the fall of 2011
• “Go Live” in the summer of 2012

Effective January 1, 2004, the State of Alaska, Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Workers' Compensation Division began accepting Proof of Coverage (POC) information exclusively in the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC) Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) POC format, Release 2. A complete copy of the IAIABC EDI POC implementation guide can be reviewed at the IAIABC website.

Insurers are required to submit POC information in electronic format to satisfy the requirements of Alaska Statute 23.30.085 and 8 AAC 45.085. Data element requirements are subject to change. Workers' Compensation will be incorporating IAIABC approved changes as adopted by the Issue Resolution Request (IRR) process.

Insurers providing workers' compensation insurance coverage in Alaska have three options to achieve compliance with Workers' Compensation's EDI POC reporting requirement:

• Utilize Workers' Compensation's preferred provider, the National Council on Compensation Insurance's (NCCI) IPOC service for your POC electronic reporting (default option);
• Select another approved third party vendor for you POC electronic reporting; or
• Report electronically directly to the Alaska Workers' Compensation Division.

Select NCCI for POC reporting
Effective January 1, 2004, insurers and their data providers will be required to submit POC data directly to the NCCI. The NCCI will process Alaska policy data and send daily transmissions of that data in the IAIABC POC format to Workers' Compensation. If an insurer wishes to 'opt out' of this default reporting requirement, they much first notify the Division of Workers' Compensation of their alternative reporting method, and they must notify NCCI.

Insurers who are unable to file electronically, must submit hardcopy filings using the IAIABC POC1 as an attachment to a policy to report the additional POC data elements in the IAIABC format. The IAIABC POC1 has also been approved in Alaska for binder transactions for POC and may be used as a POC Notice (Binder). The POC1 form can be downloaded from the IAIABC's website. Alternatively, an insurer may submit policy data online using NCCI's DCA Access Online reporting tool. Contact NCCI for more information concerning this option.

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