NCJ Number
82393
Date Published
1981
Length
236 pages
Annotation
These Senate subcommittee hearings address fraud and abuse in the operation of the Federal Employees' Compensation Act. They are designed to identify those types of abuses which are prevalent in the workers' compensation system and to assess the management of that system by the Department of Labor.
Abstract
The focus of the hearings is to identify fraudulent practices by medical service providers and by Federal employees in filing claims for nonexistent injuries and for medical treatments that were never provided. The hearing identifies repeated failures by DOL to adequately examine claims filed in order to detect wasteful and abusive practices and to eliminate from the rolls those claimants whose injuries are not disabling and who are not entitled to further compensation. Additional emphasis is given to the means by which the Government can protect itself from medical service providers who have prior histories reflecting fraud and abuse in delivery of services to Government agencies. Law enforcement officials testify on their efforts to combat crime in the compensation program. They indicate that the program is an easy target for persons wishing to abuse the liberal Government benefits. General Accounting Officer representatives testify on the agency's reviews of the program, and Department of Labor representatives discuss the management of the program. Others giving testimony include representatives of the American Federation of Government Employees and the Veterans Administration. Flow charts and other exhibits are included.