Safety and Health: House approves workers’ comp bill targeting fraudulent medical provider claims

The House has unanimously passed a bill intended to help the Department of Labor combat fraudulent federal workers’ compensation claims.

The Putting Patients First by Strengthening Provider Accountability in FECA Act (H.R. 8823), sponsored by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA), would codify current DOL policies that allow the labor secretary to suspend payments to a medical provider convicted of fraud.

The House approved the bill with a 396-0 vote on July 20. It was referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee the next day.

“The Office of Inspector General recently testified before Congress that since 2015, it has opened more than 320 criminal investigations involving the [Federal Employees’ Compensation Act] program,” Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI), chair of the House Education and Workforce Committee, said in a press release. “These investigations have resulted in the indictment and conviction of 322 individuals and more than $1.7 billion in recovered funds. That is unacceptable.

“This legislation sends a clear message: If you cheat taxpayers, exploit injured workers and abuse the public’s trust, there will be consequences.”