The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission has moved claims filing online in a move the head of the agency will produce “large cost savings” to insurers.

The WebFile system debuted in May, allowing claimants to review their claim’s history and submit online claim forms and requests for hearings and carriers to submit first and subsequent reports of injury and review their portfolio of claims and upload relevant documents, such as employer application for hearing forms.

Virginia Diamond, chairwoman of the VWC, told IFAwebnews.com that the new online system utilizes the national electronic data interchange standard for transmitting information and “provides claim administrators with a more efficient, accurate and reliable means to manage their claims.”

“Through WebFile, claim administrators can access their files online and make pertinent filings,” she said. “There is a large cost savings to insurers and employers by eliminating duplicative paper filings for proof of coverage.”

The VWC is the state-agency charged with administering the Workers’ Compensation Act in Virginia and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund. The Commission employs about 200 people in its central office in Richmond and regional offices, including locations in Harrisonburg and Virginia Beach, Va.

This story originally appeared in the July 2009 print edition of Insurance & Financial Advisor.