New York Second in Nation For Questionable Workers’ Comp Claims; First Niagara Benefit Consulting Named Top Producer by The Business Council of New York State
New York Second in Nation For Questionable Workers’ Comp Claims
Albany, N.Y.—New York is second in the nation, only behind California, for questionable workers compensation insurance claims. New York jumped to second in 2012 from fifth in 2011.
“Workers compensation insurance fraud is a serious problem in New York,” Ellen Melchionni, president of the New York Insurance Association said. “Fraud drives up workers compensation rates. The state and insurance industry need to remain vigilant in cracking down on those looking to cheat the system.”
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) analysis shows that the number of New York questionable claims reported in 2012 was more than double the questionable claims reported in 2011. There were 344 reported in 2012 versus 161 in 2011. NICB analysis also shows that questionable claims in 2013 are on pace to exceed the number in 2012. According to data available for the first half of 2013, 183 questionable claims were reported between January and June.
“The growing rate of questionable workers compensation claims is alarming,” Melchionni said. “Fraud takes away from workers compensation serving its intended purpose of protecting injured workers.”
First Niagara Benefit Consulting Named Top Producer by The Business Council of New York State
SYRACUSE, N.Y.—The Business Council of New York State’s Insurance Fund named First Niagara Benefit Consulting, a division of First Niagara Financial Group, producer of the year.
The award is based on a compilation of new membership sales, lines of group insurance coverage sold, and retention. “We are proud to win this award, it’s gratifying to know that our hard work and mission to continuously provide the highest level of professional service is being recognized,’’ said Zach Zuckerman, Central New York Regional Sales Manager for First Niagara Benefit Consulting. The annual award was founded in 2000, and every year honors organizations that show a strong commitment and dedication in the ever-changing employee benefit needs of their clients.
First Niagara, through its wholly owned subsidiary, First Niagara Bank, N.A., is a multi-state community-oriented bank with approximately 430 branches, approximately $37 billion in assets, $28 billion in deposits, and approximately 6,000 employees providing financial services to individuals, families and businesses across Upstate New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.firstniagara.com.
