$34.9 million in grants awarded statewide to assist law enforcement in fighting workers’ compensation fraud
News: 2015 Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones today announced he has awarded $34.9 million in grants to 37 district attorney offices representing 42 counties in California to combat workers' compensation insurance fraud. The grants, funded through employer assessments, support law enforcement efforts in investigating and prosecuting workers' compensation insurance fraud.
"The impact of fraud is felt across California as a drain on our economy," said Commissioner Jones. "These grants will assist district attorneys across the state in uncovering workers' compensation fraud schemes and prosecuting those who take advantage of the system."
Workers' compensation insurance fraud includes medical provider fraud, employer premium fraud, employer defrauding employee, insider fraud, claimant fraud, and the willfully uninsured operating within the underground economy. These cases, when successfully prosecuted, level the playing field for honest businesses and discourage future fraudulent activity.
Media Notes:
- Grant funding is based on assessments from California employers. California District Attorneys apply for workers' compensation insurance fraud grant funds. The Commissioner's grant review panel reviews the applications and makes funding recommendations to the Commissioner, based on multiple criteria including past performance, the county's problem statement and their program strategy for the upcoming year. The panel sends a recommendation to the Insurance Commissioner, who either accepts or amends the panel's recommendation. Upon completion, the Commissioner's recommendation is submitted to the Fraud Assessment Commission for their advice and consent, and then the grants are awarded.
California Department of Insurance Workers' Compensation Insurance Fraud Grant Program funding for fiscal year 2015-2016
| County | FY 2015/16 Workers' Compensation Insurance Fraud Grant Funding |
|---|---|
| Alameda | $1,511,933 |
| Amador | $386,479 |
| Butte | $76,000 |
| Contra Costa | $850,000 |
| El Dorado | $271,428 |
| Fresno | $1,236,000 |
| Humboldt | $200,000 |
| Imperial | $163,495 |
| Kern | $1,058,000 |
| Kings | $263,875 |
| Los Angeles | $6,458,643 |
| Marin | $245,648 |
| Merced | $174,000 |
| Monterey | $660,000 |
| Napa | $135,500 |
| Nevada | $73,525 |
| Orange | $3,966,000 |
| Placer | $175,000 |
| Riverside | $2,020,000 |
| Sacramento | $910,000 |
| San Bernardino | $2,113,943 |
| San Diego | $4,990,459 |
| San Francisco | $713,943 |
| San Joaquin | $472,972 |
| San Luis Obispo | $54,419 |
| San Mateo | $691,588 |
| Santa Barbara | $340,420 |
| Santa Clara | $2,626,811 |
| Santa Cruz | $118,223 |
| Shasta | $154,955 |
| Siskiyou | $52,992 |
| Solano | $175,742 |
| Sonoma | $66,800 |
| Tehama | $110,248 |
| Tulare | $499,258 |
| Ventura | $683,465 |
| Yolo | $250,067 |
| TOTAL | $34,951,831 |
Led by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, the California Department of Insurance is the consumer protection agency for the nation's largest insurance marketplace and safeguards all of the state’s consumers by fairly regulating the insurance industry. Under the Commissioner’s direction, the Department uses its authority to protect Californians from insurance rates that are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, oversee insurer solvency to pay claims, set standards for agents and broker licensing, perform market conduct reviews of insurance companies, resolve consumer complaints, and investigate and prosecute insurance fraud. Consumers are urged to call 1-800-927-4357 with any questions or contact us at www.insurance.ca.gov via webform or online chat. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800-927-4357. Teletypewriter (TTY), please dial 800-482-4833.
