For Immediate Release: Jan. 2, 2008

Workers’ Comp Fraud Investigators Solve Nearly 3,000 Cases in FY07

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s (BWC) special investigations department (SID) announced its investigators solved 2,977 workers’ compensation fraud cases during Fiscal Year 2007 (FY07) – July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007. These cases represent more than $100 million in savings, a 10.3-percent increase in savings over the previous fiscal year.

BWC fraud cases solved in FY07 included $22.6 million in drug-related fraud, and $10.4 million in employer premium and penalty savings. The SID generated $8.33 in savings for every budgetary dollar spent — 6.8 percent more than the $7.80 value generated the previous fiscal year. The department’s performance contributes to BWC’s goal of greater cost-efficiency.

“These numbers reflect the ongoing efforts of the SID to assist BWC in keeping costs down by carefully monitoring claims and identifying those who abuse the system,” said SID Director Tom Wersell. “By working in concert with other agencies and proactively mining our data for suspicious activity, we are able to make an impact on fraud and provide support for a system of fairness to Ohio employers and injured workers.”

For information about workers’ compensation fraud cases and statistics regarding SID operations, view the fiscal year 2007 annual report at ohiobwc.com.

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Contact: Maria Smith
(614) 728-8045
maria.smith@bwc.state.oh.us