Worker's compensation is a mandatory insurance policy in most U.S. states. This insurance policy helps protect and compensate workers in case of injuries resulting from their duties within the workplace. In return, they typically forfeit their right to sue the employer for negligence.
It's, therefore, crucial that workers' compensation claims are processed quickly and accordingly to ensure rightful claims are awarded as quickly as possible. However, worker's compensation fraud is a significant issue.
According to data, 82% of workers' compensation fraud cases are by workers, making it crucial that organizations are constantly keeping a watchful eye on workers' compensation claims raised by their employees.
Here's how you can spot potential worker's compensation fraud and the measures you can take to prevent them.
What is Worker's Compensation Fraud?
Worker's compensation fraud is when an individual deceives the system to obtain workers' compensation benefits to which they're not entitled. Worker's compensation fraud is not limited to employees. Employers and insurers can also be part of a larger worker's compensation fraud scheme.
Worker's compensation fraud can take various forms, such as:
· Claiming non-work-related injuries are work-related in order to qualify for the benefits.
· Exaggerating or falsifying injuries to overstate their severity and gain higher worker's compensation benefits besides a prolonged period off work.
· Collusion between healthcare providers and the claimant to inflate medical bills, falsify medical records, and provide unnecessary treatments.
· Continuing to work at the current job or elsewhere despite filing a worker's compensation claim for disability benefits. This may also include concealing employment status to maintain the benefits.
How Does Worker's Compensation Work?
Worker's compensation fraud is committed by exploiting how worker's compensation insurance works. Worker's compensation is a system that provides benefits and financial protection to employees who've sustained workplace injuries or illnesses.
Therefore, the workers or employees can receive the necessary treatment, compensation for lost wages, and other relevant benefits. It also protects employers from potential lawsuits relating to workplace injuries or illnesses.
In a normal process, an injured or ill employee whose injury or illness results from work-related duties reports the injury or illness to their employer as they seek medical attention. The employer files a worker's compensation claim and notifies the insurance carrier.
Once the claim has been filed, the insurer investigates it and assesses its validity. The investigation may include reviewing medical records, evaluating the circumstances surrounding the illness or injury, and conducting interviews.
If the claim is approved, the employee will be awarded various benefits such as:
· Wage replacement, in the case where the injury or illness inhibits their capacity to do work.
· Medical treatment to cover the necessary and reasonable medical expenses related to the injury or illness. This includes hospitalization, doctor visits, surgeries, medications, ongoing care, and rehabilitation.
· Vocational rehabilitation in cases where the employee can't return to their previous job due to the injury or illness. This benefit helps the employee get alternative employment or acquire new skills.
· Disability benefits if the injury or illness caused temporary or permanent disability. This benefit compensates for the loss of earning capacity and impairments caused to the employee's quality of life.
The exact laws governing worker's compensation vary across jurisdictions. Therefore, the specific benefits offered may differ, albeit the system and processes typically work the same.
Who Commits Worker's Compensation Fraud?
Worker's compensation fraud is common among employees. However, the following parties can also be guilty.
Employers
Employers may commit worker's compensation fraud by misclassifying employees or underreporting payroll to pay lower premiums. Some employers may also falsify information about their operations or workplace safety measures to pay lower premiums.
Employees
Employees may engage in worker's compensation fraud by fabricating or exaggerating injuries or misrepresenting circumstances surrounding an injury or illness. They may do this to gain extended time off work, secure other benefits, or receive higher compensation.
Third-Party Service Providers
Third-party service providers such as adjusters, lawyers, or consultants can participate in worker's compensation fraud by assisting claimants or employees to falsify documents, manipulate claims, and provide false information for favorable outcomes.
Healthcare Providers
Certain healthcare providers can participate in worker's compensation fraud by overcharging for services, providing fraudulent medical bills, and giving unnecessary treatments with the promise of kickbacks from the patient.
How You Can Spot Worker's Compensation Fraud
There are various warning signs that you can heed to spot worker's compensation fraud before it happens. These include the following:
Delayed Reporting
Often, claims filed long after an injury or illness is claimed to have occurred, especially without any reasonable explanation, may indicate potential worker's compensation fraud. It is paramount that you investigate these claims before filing with the insurance carrier to prevent possible fraud issues.
Conflicting Statements
The claimant's injury report, witness statements, medical record, and surveillance footage should corroborate. Otherwise, you might be dealing with a possible case of worker's compensation fraud.
Unusual or Disgruntled Behavior
Claimants exhibiting evasive or secretive behavior may be hiding something that might point toward worker's compensation fraud. Such behavior includes falsifying contact information or avoiding contact with employers.
Previous Patterns of Fraud
Some worker's compensation suspects are not first-time offenders. They may have a clear pattern of previous fraudulent activity related to insurance fraud.
Poor Cooperation
Claimants committing worker's compensation fraud may be highly uncooperative. They may refuse to undergo medical evaluations, participate in investigations, or provide requested documentation.
How You Can Prevent Worker's Compensation Fraud
Taking preventive measures is often the better option when dealing with worker's compensation fraud. Here are a few steps you can take.
Have Clear Communication
Workplace safety should be a top priority for your business. You should have an active safety program that's well communicated to all employees, with regular safety meetings to reinforce the training, communication, and knowledge.
Therefore, you should have it as part of the company culture that everyone knows the safety protocol, including policies regarding worker's compensation and fraud.
This way, it'll be harder to fake injuries and attempt worker's compensation fraud since everyone knows the safety procedures and repercussions of fraud.
Provide All the Resources Needed
Instead of having each employee bring a medical examiner of their own, offer a designated worker's compensation medical provider whom all employees can visit and report their work-related illnesses or injuries.
The designated medical provider will help you assess all injuries and illnesses and establish they're consistent with the employee's explanation.
You can also install video equipment to gather evidence of injury or illness at the workplace to ensure no one makes falsified claims.
Listen to the Employees on the Ground
Often, rumors about possible worker's compensation fraud will start within the workplace itself. Keep your ears on the ground and listen to conversations about possible fraud that might align with an ongoing investigation.
This will help you gather the evidence you need and prevent future cases from happening.
Have an Expert Help You Set Safeguards
Cases of worker's compensation fraud are not very prevalent. However, you must always be on the lookout to prevent falling victim to scheming employees or third-party service providers. Talk to an expert and get the guidance you need to set up safeguards.
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