Claims administrators are reminded that the 2013 annual report of inventory (ARI) for claims reported in calendar year 2012 is due to be submitted to the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) Audit Unit no later than April 1, 2013.

The California Code of Regulations,title 8, section 10104 requires claims administrators to file an annual report of inventory (ARI) with the number of claims reported at each adjusting location for the preceding calendar year. Even if there were no claims reported in 2013, the report must be completed and submitted to the DWC Audit Unit. Each adjusting location is required to submit an ARI, whether or not they receive a form for reporting claims from the Audit Unit, unless their ARI requirement has been waived by the AD.

In 2011, the Audit Unit began requesting the federal employer identification number (FEIN) for each adjusting location and for all underwriting companies and/or clients for which claims are administered at the given location. A claims administrator’s obligation to submit an ARI can be waived if the AD determines that they are in compliance with electronic data reporting requirements of the Workers’ Compensation Information System (WCIS). FEIN information will be used by the DWC Research Unit to match claims information submitted electronically to the WCIS with that reported to the Audit Unit on the ARI. This will allow the AD to waive ARI requirements for claims administrators, as appropriate.

When ARI requirements are waived, claims administrators must file an annual report of adjusting locations. This report is to be filed annually on April 1 of each calendar year for the adjusting location operations as of Dec. 31 of the prior year. DWC has provided a form which can be used for this purpose.

Claims administrators are also required to report any change in the information reported in the ARI or annual report of adjusting location within 45 days of the effective date of the change.

The forms for the required 2013 ARI and annual report of adjusting locations, along with advice for claims administrators, are posted on the website.

Questions about submission of the ARI or the annual report of adjusting locations may be directed to the DWC Audit Unit by email, phone or U.S. mail: to the State of California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Workers’ Compensation – Audit Unit, 160 Promenade Circle, Suite #340, Sacramento, CA 95834-2962. E-mail: DWCAuditUnit@dir.ca.gov., Facsimile: 916.928.3183. Telephone inquiry: 916.928.3180.