Labour and National Insurance Minister Shane Gibson yesterday announced the impending launch of a new web-based platform designed to allow registrants of the National Insurance Board (NIB) to conduct their interactions with NIB online. The system – which was initially budgeted at $14 million – is expected to go live on March 30 2016.
The system will have a two-tier rollout, with a second module launching in June.
Gibson noted that while that $14 million figure was the 2011 budgeted figure, the price would likely be different.
“The reason I don’t want to give you an actual figure now is because obviously that will change. Once they come in and start mapping out different processes and trying to see how they can implement the system... So the final cost, we don’t know,” Gibson said.
In order to complete implementation of the system, NIB will revert to manual processing on March 10.
“Once the system is back online on March 30, NIB customers can expect a faster, smarter and easier to use system... Once fully deployed, our new insurance system will offer all of the modern conveniences of electronic online transactions, making it easier for customers to submit claims, register, pay contributions and get information,” Gibson said.
“The end result will be an improved and easier-to-use insurance system over-all and one that places the user at the forefront,” he said.
The minister asserted that with the implementation of the new system, the majority of short term benefits such as maternity, sickness, injury and unemployment benefits will be deposited directly into the claimants bank account.
“Similarly, employers will be able to request and receive letters of good standing via e-mail or through the employer portal that will be rolled out this year,” he said.
NIB Director Rowena Bethel stressed the fact that the board was not forcing anyone to use the online channel, and that those who chose to could continue to access the services in the usual manner. Still, she expected that most people would opt to use the online environment.
Web-based system
Dr. Raymond Wells, Senior Deputy Director at NIB responsible for IT, reported that the system is “a web-based information system that replaces a 28-year-old AS400 green-screen system,” and identified it as the V3 System®.
Vitech Systems Group is a leading provider of administration software to insurance, retirement and investment organizations. Vitech provides its clients with proprietary enterprise software, related implementation services and ongoing support.
The V3 System® is promoted by Vitech for its ability to support a full spectrum of group benefit products across all major business functions on a single, integrated platform. The installed system is expected to allow for the consolidation of legacy systems while “dramatically enhancing customer service offerings and expanding operating capabilities and flexibility.”
Wells pointed out that the rollout of the new system would proceed in two phases: the first phase - that is, the part of the system that goes live on March 30 2016 - is focused on employees accessing the system, and the second phase of the rollout that will allow employers to use the system fully is expected to launch in June 2016.
He also advised those engaged in the process of acquiring the new NIB ‘Smart Card’ to also get a “portal ID”.
“Provide an email address and we will generate a PIN number for you to be able to log onto the portal. That portal is where you would be doing a whole lot of interaction with NIB in the future,” Wells said.
NIB Director Bethel pointed out that NIB registrants access their personal NIB accounts. They will be able to monitor the payment of NIB contributions on their behalf, alert NIB if there are lapses or delinquencies and the like.
Employer
NIB Senior Deputy Director of Operations Cecile Williams-Bethel explained the two-tiered rollout, pointing out that the “employer self-service system” will not be immediately available.
“What we are doing effective for March...is making sure that our systems offline that those are working properly. We’re introducing the new platform. We’ve talked about all of the benefits the employers will have, but that will come in June.
“What’s available on March 30 is the introduction of our new platform, our new insurance administration system that allows all of our customers to be able to do business with us online,” she said.
By K. Quincy Parker
Guardian Staff
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