Skip to Content

Workers’ Compensation Board

Search menu

Subject Number 046-1497 OnBoard: Limited Release Implementation Update for Attorneys

Board Bulletins and Subject Numbers

February 3, 2022

The Workers’ Compensation Board is in the process of building a new online business information system, OnBoard, which will eventually replace the Board’s legacy paper-based claims systems and the eCase system with a single, web-based platform. OnBoard will provide stakeholders with increased accuracy, paperless transactions and a user-friendly interface for interacting with the Board.

OnBoard: Limited Release, the first phase of OnBoard, will be implemented on March 7, 2022. Attorneys should be aware of some key dates and updates ahead of the phased launch of OnBoard: Limited Release.

Overview

OnBoard: Limited Release (OBLR), which will roll out in three phases, is designed to move several key processes for health care providers and insurers from paper to online. This includes the prior authorization request (PAR) process for medication, durable medical equipment, and medical treatment or testing. It also includes the submission of Request for Decision on Unpaid Medical Bill(s) (Form HP-1.0) within OBLR.

The three phases are explained in detail below, but here is a quick look at the implementation schedule:

Phase Process Implementation Date
One Medication PAR & Form HP-1.0 March 7, 2022
Two Durable Medical Equipment PAR April 4, 2022
Three Treatment/Testing PARs May 2, 2022

Phase One (3/7/22): Medication PAR & Form HP-1.0

Drug Formulary

Refills and renewals of prescription medications must comply with the Drug Formulary as of March 7, 2022, when the OBLR Medication PAR process takes effect. As communicated in Subject Number 046-1408, the effective dates were previously amended to coincide with the launch of OnBoard: Limited Release.

Form HP-1.0

As of March 7, 2022, health care providers will request Board action on unpaid medical bills by submitting Form HP-1.0 online, ensuring accuracy and timely receipt. For now, health care providers will continue to receive administrative and arbitration awards by mail, and the objection and judgement processes will remain paper based.

Phase Two (4/4/22): Durable Medical Equipment (DME) PAR (new)

DME Fee Schedule

The Board’s new DME Fee Schedule, which lists the DME that may be supplied to an injured worker when medically necessary and in accordance with the applicable New York Medical Treatment Guidelines (MTGs), becomes effective on April 4, 2022, to coincide with the rollout of the new DME PAR in OnBoard: Limited Release. The Chair adopted a new DME Fee Schedule and PAR processes that were published in the State Register on March 3, 2021. The DME Fee Schedule was later updated on December 22, 2021, and another proposed update was published January 19, 2022. Information regarding all of these adoptions and proposals is available on the Regulations page of the Board's website.

For more information about the DME Fee Schedule and updates, go to the Durable Medical Equipment Fee Schedule page of the Board’s website.

Phase Three (5/2/22): Treatment/Testing

The PAR types for treatment/testing will be implemented in Phase Three. OBLR will use the information that health care providers enter to determine which type of PAR needs to be submitted.

MTGs

In recent months, the Board has adopted more than a dozen new or updated MTGs. These will all become effective on May 2, 2022, when the remaining PAR types roll out within OnBoard: Limited Release.

The Board has training available on the new and updated MTGs. Each training provides an overview of the General Guideline Principles, diagnoses associated with the body part or condition, as well as diagnostic and treatment recommendations.

Information for Insurer and Claimant Attorneys

Current C-4AUTH, HP-1, MG-1 and MG-2 Forms

The C-4AUTH, HP-1, MG-1 and MG-2 forms will become obsolete with the implementation of OBLR and new requests from providers will not be accepted after the launch date of the corresponding functionality in the system. For Form HP-1, that date is March 7, 2022, and for the C-4AUTH, MG-1 and MG-2 forms, that date is May 2, 2022.

Payer responses to C-4AUTH, MG-1 and MG-2 forms submitted prior to May 2, 2022, will continue to be accepted and those requests will follow the existing process. Providers should not submit Medication and/or DME PARs with other medical requests on paper forms. If the Board identifies an improper submission, it will not be moved forward.

Request for Further Action (RFA) Forms

The Board will start accepting the new versions of the RFA forms (Form RFA-2, Form RFA-1LC and Form RFA-1W) on May 2, 2022. Their use will become mandatory on June 6, 2022.

How to Prepare

Although attorneys will not be users of OnBoard: Limited Release, PARs and supporting documentation will be saved to the injured worker’s case folder in eCase. Attorneys should register for eCase, if they haven’t done so already. To register for eCase, go to wcb.ny.gov and select the eCase icon on the home page.

Information for Claimant Attorneys/Firms

Information for Insurer Attorneys/Firms

Resources

The Board has a number of resources available to keep attorneys informed about OnBoard: Limited Release and answer questions:

Clarissa M. Rodriguez
Chair