Sunday, March 1, 2015

CRACKING DOWN ON WORKER COMPENSATION VIOLATIONS IN OKLAHOMA. OKLAHOMA HAS NEW WAYS TO CRACK DOWN ON WORKERS COMPENSATION FRAUD.




FOX23 investigated new technology being used in Tulsa and changes across the state are saving companies millions.

James Cramer of Tulsa was charged with workers compensation fraud. He claimed he "fell and twisted his right foot" while working for a local oil company "inside a tank."
According to court documents, Cramer actually injured his foot in some sort of bar fight.

His treatment and investigation dragged on for two years.

The state is now trying to handle any disputed workers compensation claims much faster to drive insurance rates down.

“Oklahoma had one of the highest rates imposed on it for workers compensation insurance. We were the fifth highest in the country that drove rates up over a period of time,” said Troy Wilson, chair of the Workers Compensation Commission.

The commission was created by the state one year ago.

Wilson said by switching from a judicial system to the new administrative one, commissioners decide cases in 20-minute hearings and workers don't even need an attorney.

“Our focus is on the injured worker, their family that they're taken care of getting back to work faster,” said Wilson.

He said the number of contested claims dropped from 15,000 to 3,800 over the last year.

He said insurance premiums are lowering and saving employers an estimated $220 million a year, money companies can re-invest and create new jobs.

Wilson said for continued success the commission is asking state lawmakers for $5 million in next year’s budget.
He describes with more upfront costs that will lead to long-term savings for the state.
“We are not asking for extra, there's no fluff in the request. It is bare bones what we're asking for,” Wilson said.
“Give us what we ask for, that's my plea. We are not asking for extra, There's no fluff in the request. It is bare bones what we're asking for… and overall if we do what we want to do... in FY16.. FY 17 could be reduced 15-20 percent,” he said.
FOX23 also discovered new technology being used in Tulsa to help prove or disprove some future claims.
“We get a baseline picture of what they can do initially,” said Reggie Weatherly, with Recruiting Specialists.

Weatherly set up a demo. A trained paramedic placed electrodes on key muscles and basic tests capture an employee's ability when they're first hired.

The results are stored in a cloud and only viewed when a workers comp claim is filed and the employee meets with a doctor.

“It’ll verify there is an injury; it will pinpoint treatment which can reduce treatment cost,” he said. “It serves as a deterrent as much as anything to a lot of employees who may not tell the whole story.”

Employees whose stories may not add up, like Cramer's.
If you have a disputed claim that you want the state to handle, here is a link to the commission to get the process started:  http://ok.gov/wcc/
Source: www.fox23.com