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<br />c <br /> <br />....GUE 0, <br />...~ --- -....;, t'~ <br />~"" ~ <br />... ..,. <br />ClI'- - <br /> <br />~iI:--Ii. ._~ <br />!a.1! 1rA.~ <br />I!I nil! <br />DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE <br />AND FINANCIAL SERVICES <br /> <br />Florida League of Cities, Inc., Department of Insurance and Financial Services <br />125 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, Fl 32801 <br />Main, 407-425-9142 Toll Free, 1-800-445-6248 Fox, 407-425-9378 <br />www.flcities.com/i nsura nee <br /> <br />SPECIAL INVESTIGATION UNIT (SIU) <br /> <br />Insurance fraud significantly contributes to increases in insurance costs. Agencies that must pay <br />for fraudulent insurance claims also have higher rates and less money for other expenditures. To <br />reduce the cost and amount of fraud to the Florida Municipal Insurance Trust (FMIT) members, the <br />Special I Investigation Unit was created in 1999. The Unit's purpose is to pursue and otherwise <br />minimize fraudulent and similar insurance acts. Using the latest technology and practices when <br />investigating claims, the Unit's efforts have resulted in criminal prosecutions, termination of bene- <br />fits, reduced settlement amounts and even modified physician and judge's orders. <br />The FMIT's Special Investigation Unit has three full-time investigators that investigate suspected <br />fraud. This unit has been instrumental in referring claims for felony prosecution and securing mil- <br />lions of dollars in court ordered restitution. <br /> <br />The SIU gathers information of possible fraudulent insurance acts, potential abuses or non-existent <br />injuries, Suspected fraud is reported to he Florida Department of Financial Services, division of <br />Insurance Fraud. <br /> <br />FRAUD IS NOT A VICTIMLESS CRIME <br /> <br />c <br /> <br />Rorie/a Gov. Charlo& CrlslBrtd the F/orld8 Cabi'lel pl8'96nt e ~riOO 10 !he $pedal /.nveSDf18t.1on lhl't. <br /> <br /> <br />In March 2009, Florida's Governor and Cabinet presented the SIU with a Resolution recogniz- <br />ing it for its 10th anniversary in identifying, investigating and reporting suspected insurance <br />fraud and abuse for investigation and prosecution. The referrals have resulted in millions of <br />dollars in savings, and in court ordered restitutions, for FMIT members. <br /> <br />Successes To-Date <br /> <br /> <br />Estimated Cost Savings: $5.7 Million <br />Restitution ordered: $1.9 Million <br />Arrests: 49 and counting... <br /> <br />c <br /> <br />12 <br />