Top 10 Warning Signs of Fraud
Poster: Fraud - Get a New Outfit
Poster: Fraud - Liar Liar
Poster: Fraud - Long Nose
Poster: Fraud - Ruin a Bad Guy's Day

Workers' compensation fraud costs everyone, including employers, employees, providers of goods and services, and insurance companies. Learn more about workers' compensation fraud and how we can work together to prevent fraud.

10 WAYS TO REDUCE FRAUD

  1. Educate your employees about workers' compensation fraud and its consequences. Re-enforce that workers are the real victims of fraud. If your premiums are high, you can’t afford raises, bonuses, and other incentives.
  2. After an accident, refer the employee to your designated physician. Avoid “doctor shopping” by using a WCF Insurance preferred provider who understands workers' compensation injuries.
  3. Interview the injured employee for details of the accident.
  4. Interview witnesses and obtain written statements. Pay attention to what other employees are saying to each other about the accident.
  5. Investigate the scene for facts that corroborate or contradict the employee’s account of the accident.
  6. Enforce drug testing. It is important to have a policy in place that requires screening after an accident.
  7. Watch for the red flags of possible fraud. Stay in close contact with your injured employee. Contact makes an employee feel valuable and promotes an early return to work.
  8. Implement modified duty when possible. Bringing an employee back to work can reduce costs and increase communication.
  9. Fill out the Employer’s First Report of Injury form in detail, even if it requires an extra page.
  10. Report any concerns to your adjuster as soon as possible. With early intervention, you can document information that may be lost, forgotten, or concealed later.

RED FLAGS OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION FRAUD
Employee Red Flags

  • Is seldom available at home
  • Delays return to work after maximum medical improvement
  • Refuses light duty opportunities
  • Is vague or contradictory about how the injury occurred
  • Was in jeopardy of termination or probation before the injury
  • Shops for a provider or is noncompliant with treatment
  • Delays reporting the injury
  • Evidence that employee has other concealed employment
  • Participates in activities contradictory to reported physical limitations
  • There is no witness to the injury or resulting symptoms

Employer Red Flags

  • Fabricates location or type of operation
  • Under reports payroll

Medical Provider Red Flags

  • Bills for services not actually rendered
  • Bills for products not actually provided
  • Over-bills
  • Fabricates procedures
  • Unbundles services

TO REPORT ANY SUSPICIONS OF FRAUD, WHETHER IT IS AN EMPLOYEE, EMPLOYER, OR MEDICAL PROVIDER, PLEASE CLICK HERE.