WCB announces partnership with Ernst & Young to support its business transformation (Sept 7)

WCB Nova Scotia has begun the most significant part of our business transformation – the move to an updated, cloud-based system that will power the main technology that run the core of our business, replacing 25-year-old legacy systems.                

After a thorough evaluation process, Ernst & Young (EY) was selected as the vendor partner, and Guidewire was selected as the product suite for our new systems. Together with EY, we will begin to map out what our new systems need to be to support the organization we are becoming: one that’s easier to do business with, ensuring we have best-in-class tools to support employees in delivering service to employers and workers.

The replacement of our systems represents the most significant part of our business transformation. The new systems will change how we operate and provide service, bringing better customer service, faster access to information, improved return to work outcomes and overall efficiency. Guidewire offers a market-leading suite of cloud-based products that will form the new core system, including claims management, assessment, employer billing, and document management. Security, backup and recovery, and protection of privacy were key considerations in our decision. Guidewire comes with standard best-practice insurance capability built in. 

Overall, Guidewire works the way the insurance business operates today. It positions us to be responsive to the changing needs of the business and our customers. The estimated cost for this work is approximately $25 million, spread over the next three years. There will also be ongoing, annual licensing costs and support costs, which are subject to negotiation.   

The new system is expected to be in place by 2019. For more information about the WCB’s plan for business transformation and the benefits for those we serve, visit our website.

Learn more about why we are changing!

 

Backgrounder: WCB Nova Scotia's Transformation – At a Glance

  • WCB Nova Scotia became operational on January 1, 1917. As we mark 100 years, a major, multi-year modernization initiative is underway. 
  • Stakeholders asked us to modernize during consultations for our 2016-2020 Strategic Plan. We listened. Our long-term plan for change is grounded in that feedback: 

“On the technology side, there is a bit of a gap. Need a more interactive…portal for case workers, employers, doctors and service providers.”

“Need to find better ways to provide interaction between WCB and the stakeholders in the system (employers, injured workers, health care providers, etc.).”

“More timely information will lead to better outcomes - take away the administrative burden. The WCB needs better external connectivity.”

  • Our systems are more than 25 years old. They have served us well, but our future requires something different. Overall, the WCB of tomorrow will be more efficient, operating in the way business is done today, with updated, sustainable systems. 
  • Modernization began in 2015 with the introduction of online registration for employers, and the expansion of direct deposit so more workers could receive their payments faster, and an enhanced self-serve phone system. 
  • In June 2017, we introduced new online services for workers and tiered service providers. Over the next three years, we will focus on replacing the core systems that run the business. 
  • For employers, the changes will mean better access to more data about injury trends, better assessments information, and less time chasing paper.
  • Workers will get real-time access to their own claims information, and a streamlined claims process overall that’s faster and more consistent. 
  • Service providers like physiotherapists will get quicker approvals and payments. 

 Successes to date

  • Online employer registration continues to streamline this once paper-based, cumbersome process. Since its launch in 2015, 92% of registrations have been completed online. 
  • Today, more than 87% of all benefit payments to workers are made through direct deposit compared to 54% in November 2015. 
  • Since launching in June, more than 1100 workers are using new secure online services to support their injury claim and return to work journey. 
  • More than 3,700 forms are submitted securely online by service providers each month to better support the needs of workers and employers. 

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