State identifies nearly $100 million in workers' comp fraud

Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) fraud investigators uncovered a record $98.8 million in savings, referred 312 subjects for criminal prosecution, and secured 117 convictions during fiscal year 2002 -- demonstrating the bureau's goals of reducing costs and increasing customer service.

In conjunction with with National Fraud Awareness Week, the BWC Special Investigations Department is releasing newly compiled statistics from FY 2002 (July 1, 2001 – June 30, 2002).

"The Special Investigations Department prevents loss, protects the state insurance fund, and promotes fraud awareness," said James Conrad, BWC Administrator and CEO. "Ohioans must be vigilant to stop workers' comp fraud and can help us by referring allegations to our hotline 1-800-OHIOBWC or online at www.ohiobwc.com."

A white collar crime -- workers' compensation fraud is committed by employers, injured workers, medical providers and anyone involved within Ohio's workers' compensation system. Because white collar crime often involves overlapping jurisdictions, BWC fraud investigators often team with other law enforcement agencies to collect evidence and share information.

During FY 2002, BWC's special investigations department conducted investigations in conjunction with more than 60 local, state and federal agencies including; the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), U.S. Attorney's Office, U.S. Postal Inspector, the Ohio Attorney General, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification (BCI&I), the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the Social Security Administration, Fraud Division.

During FY 2003, the BWC Special Investigations Department will continue to focus on employer fraud, health care provider fraud, and the execution of innovative, specialized investigative initiatives, such as Cyber Crime investigations and Project OxyContin.

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Free fraud prevention and awareness classes will be available at the seven Workers' Compensation University sites around Ohio this fall.
The red flags of fraud, the basics of a workers' compensation fraud case, and Cyber Crime investigations will all be discussed in detail by BWC fraud prevention experts. Register now for WCU.
The basics of workers' compensation fraud.