February 1, 2002 Identifying workers' compensation fraud a key step in controlling costs.

(DUBLIN, OH) -- CareWorks is pleased to offer all current customers its “Warning Signs of Fraud” information sheet to increase awareness of the costly impact of workplace injury fraud.

According to national industry studies, workers’ compensation fraud can represent up to 20 percent of all workers’ compensation costs.

When applied to BWC’s 2000 Year-End benefit payments, this statistic represents up to $320 million annually of the total $1.6 billion in medical and compensation payments.

This clearly illustrates the impact of workers’ compensation fraud, how it can lead to higher workers’ compensation costs and how it can affect an employer’s bottom line insurance premium.

For current customers, CareWorks is your partner in fighting workers’ compensation fraud. By heightening fraud awareness within our medical management process, we strive to significantly reduce, if not totally eliminate, workers’ compensation fraud.

We monitor each new workplace injury for “Warning Signs of Fraud” and maintain ongoing communication with your injured employees, their medical providers and you, the employer to help ensure only appropriate medical treatment is provided.

You, as an employer, should also be aware of these “Warning Signs of Fraud” By increasing your awareness, you can make a big difference in preventing its costly impact.

CareWorks is pleased to offer a free information sheet to remind you of some of the most common fraud indicators, including:

Indicators of Injured Worker Fraud; Indicators of Healthcare Provider Fraud; CareWorks’ Role in Fighting Fraud; and How to Report Workers’ Compensation Fraud. If you suspect fraud in any current or past claims, please call BWC’s Fraud Hotline at 1-800-OHIOBWC, option 3, 1.

In addition, please contact your individually assigned CareWorks Account Executive toll-free at 1-888-627-7586 so we can monitor suspicious activities and collect claim and medical data to support you.

As your MCO, we will continue to incorporate fraud awareness into our medical and claims management process. We are committed to helping you combat the costly effects of fraud and keep your workers’ compensation premium under control.