Better, Faster Data

Apr 2009 , Sponsored by Adobe Systems Inc.

Fast-Forward
Workers' compensation claims are resolved much faster with electronic forms and streamlined processes.

When New York state announced the reform of its workers' compensation system in 2007, it didn't waste time getting started. By December 2008, the state released a report stating that with the reforms, benefits to injured workers increased for the first time in 15 years. Employers' costs decreased, fraud was reduced and workers' compensation claims were resolved more quickly.

In addition, the state estimates that by using electronic forms instead of paper, it will save $6 million a year on scanning. These dramatic improvements were spurred by the 2007 Workers' Compensation Reform Act, which set numerous goals for the New York State Workers' Compensation Board - goals the board has been meeting ever since. The board administers the workers' compensation system for the state. Under the board's direction, employers' insurance carriers pay weekly cash benefits and pay for medical care.

The board receives and processes workers' claims for benefits, injury reports from employers, and medical reports from doctors and other health-care providers. In all, that's 8 million documents each year.

Forms filled out by employers, injured workers and doctors are a key part of the claims process. These forms set everything in motion and when they're not completed properly, it slows the entire process. The Reform Act called for a form redesign, and the board was charged with creating new forms - including online versions - that would be easier to use and collect more information. The assumption was that more data at the outset would speed the entire claims process - and it has.

The board selected Adobe LiveCycle ES (Enterprise Suite) software to achieve its goals. It created the forms using Adobe, and after three months of development, the electronic versions became available Jan. 1, 2009. The software gave the board an automated, Web-based solution that drastically hastened the process. Even the return on investment was quick - about two months.

What We Want

Government agencies constantly work to improve interactions with citizens and businesses. A common frustration for the public is filling out endless paper forms. Collecting information via forms is a critical par t of many government ser vices, but everyone, including citizens, businesses and government, wants dealing with paperwork to be an easier process.

With today's technologies, forms can be moved online and processing can be streamlined. This means simpler, faster service for the public and increased efficiency for government.

Many government agencies choose Adobe Live- Cycle ES (Enterprise Suite) to automate forms-based processes. It's an integrated solution that streamlines the application process for both online and offline users. Features include data capture, data validation, process management, content ser vices and document output. Data collected with forms is complete and accurate. Forms are secure, both at the star ting point when completed by the user, and once they reach the government organization for processing.

LiveCycle ES also streamlines the development process. An organization can see many benefits behind the scenes, as forms-development cycles are shortened and integration to systems is simplified.

With LiveCycle ES, government agencies are able to focus on their mission instead of paperwork.

Speedier Processes for All

The new forms are longer and ask more questions than in the past - but they're also faster and easier to fill out. The electronic features from Adobe are a big improvement over the previous system. Doctors, for example, can now electronically save data from previous visits by a patient and create new templates populated with information that's entered often.