Topic: Fraud

The chambers are clashing over a push by the insurance industry to restrict the assignment of benefits to a contractor to make repairs to a home, usually in an emergency. Insurance companies say current law allows for inflated repairs, higher losses and increased rates, while contractors say new restrictions would impede their ability to mitigate damage in an emergency.

A subpoena for the notes and audio recordings of WFSU reporter Lynn Hatter as part of a fraud investigation into a group providing false information about the federal health care law has been withdrawn by the Department of Financial Services.

Most insurance companies are awaiting the outcome of a court case challenging a new law designed to combat fraud and reduce premiums before filing for new rates next year. ... Related Research: Sept. 17, 2013 Oral argument video in Case No.: 13-1355 (OIR v. Secure Enterprises, LLC., et al.) before Florida's First District Court of Appeal.

The Justice Department announced a $26 million settlement in a case involving a false claims charge brought by a private citizen. An executive with a health consulting firm originally made the allegation and will receive a share of the settlement.

Insurance Consumer Advocate Robin Wescott's work group met for the first time Wednesday and will give recommendations for consumer protections to lawmakers later this year. ... Related Research: List of panel participants, meeting agendas and video.

A temporary injunction of the new law overhauling the personal injury protection system has the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee thinking about getting rid of the no-fault system.

The two chambers have different spending plans for $200 million from a foreclosure fraud settlement agreement.

State legislators briefly debated HB 155 on Thursday. They are poised to approve the bill on Friday and send it over to the Florida Senate.

Leon County Judge Terry Lewis struck down provisions of a law designed to reduce auto insurance costs, prompting Sen. Joe Negron to consider junking the current personal injury protection system for a bodily injury system. ... Related Research: March 18, 2013 Order granting in part motion for temporary injunction in Case No. 2013CA73 before the Second Judicial Circuit Court of Florida.

The Joint Legislative Budget Commission released the first tranche of funds from a deal between Attorney General Pam Bondi and legislative leaders over spending $334 million that was part of a foreclosure settlement with major banks. ... Related Research: Jan. 17, 2013 Statement by Bondi, Joint Legislative Budget Commission meeting packet, and meeting video.

The Joint Legislative Budget Commission is poised to disburse $45 million to the Florida Housing Finance Corp. next week for down payment assistance and housing counseling for eligible homeowners as part of an agreement between Attorney General Pam Bondi and legislative leaders. Another $15 million will go to legal counseling, legal fees and the court system. ... Related Research: Jan. 17, 2013 Joint Legislative Budget Commission meeting packet.

The annual report shows 446 providers were either terminated or denied re-enrollment in the state-managed health-care program. ... Related Research: Jan. 3, 2013 AHCA report "The State's Efforts to Control Medicaid Fraud and Abuse FY 2011-2012."

The chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee wants regulators and insurers to present proposals to fix Florida's property insurance market by the first week of January. Simmons also raised the prospect of getting rid of the personal injury protection system lawmakers overhauled earlier this year. ... Related Research: Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance meeting materials.

David Brownell collected $2.7 million after claiming working around rats resulted in respiratory problems. ... Related Research: Nov. 30, 2012 Arrest announcement from CFO Jeff Atwater.