Workers’ compensation fraud is a serious issue that can cost employers a great deal of money. In 2019, the United States Department of Labor reported that employees and employers paid a combined $30 billion in workers’ compensation premiums.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates that more than 27 billion dollars are lost yearly due to workers’ compensation fraud. Limiting or eliminating this abuse should be a priority for any organization looking to protect its bottom line from the impact of fraudulent claims.
Fortunately, there are some effective strategies employers can use to reduce the chances of employees committing workers’ comp fraud. In today’s blog post, we’ll cover four key steps you can take to limit potential offenders and protect your business from costly losses.
1- Create a Culture of Compliance
The key to preventing fraud is creating and fostering a culture of compliance. Make sure that all employees are aware of and understand why it’s important to follow policies and procedures related to workplace safety and workers’ comp insurance. Additionally, provide incentives for employees who abide by these policies, as this will encourage others to do the same.
2- Investigate Claims Thoroughly
Another way to fight workers comp fraud is when an employee files a claim, make sure that you thoroughly investigate the incident before signing off on any payments or authorizations. If possible, interview witnesses and review documents such as medical records related to the injury or illness. Additionally, check if any other claims have been filed for the same or similar incidents. This will help you identify any potentially fraudulent activities early on.
3- Maintain Open Communication with Employees
Another way to fight workers comp fraud is to ensure that you maintain open communication with your employees about their injury or illness so that they understand what is expected of them throughout their claim period. Doing so will allow you to detect any potential red flags early on. Additionally, ensure that your company creates an environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their health without fear of repercussions or judgment.
4- Enforce Clear Policies and Procedures
One last way to fight workers’ comp fraud is to ensure that your company has clear policies and procedures regarding workers’ compensation claims to prevent fraud from occurring in the first place. These should include processes for filing claims, regulations regarding how long an employee can receive benefits after filing a claim, and guidelines for reporting suspicious behavior or activities relating to workers’ comp insurance fraud attempts. These policies will help protect your business from becoming a victim of fraudsters looking to exploit loopholes within the system.
Tips To Fight Workers Comp Fraud – In Summary
No matter what industry you are in or how careful you are when dealing with workers’ compensation claims, chances are you will still encounter some form of fraud at one point or another during your career as an employer, business owner, manager, etc. By following these four tips creating a culture of compliance; investigating claims thoroughly; maintaining open communication with employees; enforcing clear policies and procedures, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling prey to workers’ comp scammers and protect your business from unnecessary losses due to fraudulent activities associated with this type of insurance coverage.
