Modernizing claimant experiences with digital disbursements 

Mia sighs as she rips open the envelope.

She’s been waiting on this workers’ compensation reimbursement for weeks—far longer than she expected. But finally, the check is here. Relief washes over her… until she glances at the amount.

It’s wrong. Again.

Now what?

She pulls up her workers’ comp claims processing portal, hoping for an answer, but there’s no update, no tracking, no clear next step. So, she does the only thing she can—calls her claims administrator. Hold music hums in the background as she waits. And waits.

Mia isn’t alone. Every day, injured workers across the country face the same frustrating experience with delayed, lost or inaccurate payments adding stress to an already difficult time. But here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to be this way.

With the right workers’ compensation payment solutions, insurers can turn this pain point into a competitive advantage.

Because the truth is: nobody likes waiting for a check, especially your claimants. Modern digital payments help you deliver a faster, better experience.

Why Insurers Must Go Digital Now

Across industries, digital payments have become the norm. People can tap to pay, send money instantly via mobile apps and receive direct deposits in real-time.

So why are so many workers’ compensation insurance disbursements still being paid by check?

An injured worker navigating workers’ comp billing shouldn’t have to track down a lost check or wait weeks for their reimbursement. Delayed disbursements add stress to an already challenging situation—leading to increased call center volume, more administrative work and lower claimant satisfaction.

At the same time, manual workers’ compensation claims processing is driving up operational costs. Every printed check requires mailing, tracking and manual reconciliation, all while exposing insurers to higher fraud risks.

Digital-first solutions like electronic funds transfer (EFT) and digital prepaid cards have transformed how money moves. Workers’ compensation payment solutions need to catch up—before inefficiencies start costing insurers even more.

The Business Case for Going Digital

Switching to a modern, digital-first claims payment platform—one that consolidates and centralizes the experience—opens the door to faster, more flexible reimbursement options.

But that’s not all. Switching to digital payments means:

1. Faster, More Reliable Payments

  • Providing real-time access to funds helps injured workers avoid financial strain. 
  • Offering self-service portals lets claimants track disbursements in real time. 
  • Expanding payment options (ACH, digital prepaid cards, digital wallets, apps) ensures flexibility and convenience. 

2. Lower Costs, Fewer Headaches

  • Eliminating paper checks lowers printing, mailing and reissuance costs. 
  • Automating workflows reduces administrative burden and manual processing. 
  • Decreasing call center volume allows claimants to access payment details independently. 

3. Stronger Security & Compliance

  • Securing digital transactions minimizes fraud risk compared to paper checks. 
  • Simplifying audit tracking with digital payment logs improves financial transparency. 
  • Aligning with compliance requirements ensures adherence to regulatory shifts in claims processing. 

What Digital Disbursement Options Are Available?

Modernizing workers’ compensation insurance payments doesn’t mean starting from scratch. Digital disbursement solutions can integrate seamlessly with existing claims processing workflows, making the transition simple while giving claimants the flexibility they expect.

One option is digital prepaid cards, which provide easy access to funds without requiring a bank account. Claimants can use the card immediately for purchases or transfer the balance to a digital wallet or personal account.

For those who prefer mobile-friendly options, a digital prepaid card offers a fast and flexible way to access funds. From there, it’s easy to transfer the money to apps like Venmo or PayPal—making it a convenient choice for gig workers, younger claimants, or anyone who manages their finances digitally.

Another widely trusted option is Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or ACH, which allows claimants to receive secure, direct deposits into their bank accounts. Not only does this provide a reliable alternative to paper checks, but it also reduces fraud risks associated with mailed payments.

The key to modernizing workers’ compensation payment solutions is choice. By offering a range of digital payment methods, insurers can ensure every claimant gets their funds in the way that works best for them—quickly, securely and hassle-free.

Why Insurers Are Choosing ZAPP℠ for Workers’ Compensation Payments

Many insurers are already modernizing their workers’ compensation claims processing with Zelis Advanced Payments Platform (ZAPP)℠—and seeing measurable results.

With ZAPP, workers’ compensation insurers and TPAs can:
✔ Deliver real-time payments with multiple digital options.
✔ Reduce administrative burden by automating disbursements.
✔ Lower claims processing costs by eliminating manual check handling.
✔ Improve claimant experience with faster, more transparent reimbursements.

ZAPP makes it easy to streamline workers’ compensation billing, improve cash flow and reduce compliance risks—all while ensuring seamless provider network reimbursements alongside claimant disbursements.

No disruption. Just better, faster, more cost-effective payments.

The Future is Digital

For decades, waiting for a workers’ compensation reimbursement meant checking the mailbox, hoping the payment was correct, and dealing with unnecessary delays.

That’s no longer the case. With digital disbursements, claimants can receive their payments quickly, securely, and on their terms.

But modernizing disbursements isn’t just about upgrading technology. It’s about reducing financial stress for injured workers, eliminating the administrative inefficiencies that drive high operating costs for insurers and insurers and creating a more seamless claims experience for everyone.

It’s time to stop asking if digital disbursements are the future. They already are.

See how ZAPP℠ delivers faster, more flexible, and claimant-friendly payments.