| LEGAL EASE PAGE |
OSCAR- KDOL Work Comp
Electronic Filing System
Will Larson
KAIA Attorney
R
ecently, the Kansas Department of Labor
implemented a new electronic filing and
information system called the Online
System for Claims Administration Research/
Regulation (OSCAR). As nearly as I can determine
everything filed with the department must be filed
using this system. One of our members shared that
they attempted to file a WC election from with the
Division and received a notice that elections must be
filed via the OSCAR system.
The Problem
To file anything with the DOL – such as the WC election
forms (to be included; or excluded; etc.) you need an
OSCAR account. That is easily obtained. But, to file
an election for an insured, you need to have access to
your client’s OSCAR account (which many don’t have)
through your account. Originally our member would be
granted the needed access, for a week or two, from their
OSCAR account. Now they no longer will grant such
access. The DOL is requiring a signed release from the
insured to do this, or have the insured set up an OSCAR
account and file his own elections. Previously they
emailed, faxed or mailed these forms to the KS DOL.
do is send them to their
insurance company at the beginning of the policy term.”
Other resources available to assist:
• KDOL online tool: visit www.kdol.ks.gov/WC/
oscar.
• OSCAR Release Authorization Sample: contact
KAIA at info@kaia.com for a sample release
If your have additional questions about OSCAR or other
legal questions related to your agency, please contact me
at 800-229-7048 or email will@kaia.com.
Sample Authorization
The Solution
In order to obtain access and information on behalf
of your customer, agents can now email the DOL
an authorization release (see example to the right)
granting them authority of “business administrator”.
When this form is e-mailed to kdol.oscar@ks.gov
our members are seeing authority granted within an
hour.
Kansas Insurance Department Response
On a related question I was asked by a member agent
if the Affidavit of Exempt Status had to be filed with
the KDOL WC Division. I always thought the Affidavits
were just sent to the company. Never-the-less I checked
with Grace Lancaster (now Grace Ray) of the Kansas
Insurance Dept. legal division who confirmed his
opinion. Her response to me was:
“As far as the affidavit forms, they do not need to file
those through the OSCAR system. All employers need to
| March - April 2019 | KANSAS INSURANCE AGENT & BROKER
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