Ohio § 2913.48

§ 2913.48.

(A) No person, with purpose to defraud or knowing that the person is facilitating a fraud,

shall do any of the following: (1) Receive workers' compensation benefits to which the person is not entitled; (2) Make or present or cause to be made or presented a false or misleading statement

with the purpose to secure payment for goods or services rendered under Chapter 4121.,

4123., 4127., or 4131. of the Revised Code or to secure workers' compensation benefits; (3) Alter, falsify, destroy, conceal, or remove any record or document that is necessary

to fully establish the validity of any claim filed with, or necessary to establish

the nature and validity of all goods and services for which reimbursement or payment

was received or is requested from, the bureau of workers' compensation, or a self-insuring

employer under Chapter 4121., 4123., 4127., or 4131. of the Revised Code; (4) Enter into an agreement or conspiracy to defraud the bureau or a self-insuring employer

by making or presenting or causing to be made or presented a false claim for workers'

compensation benefits; (5) Make or present or cause to be made or presented a false statement concerning manual

codes, classification of employees, payroll, paid compensation, or number of personnel,

when information of that nature is necessary to determine the actual workers' compensation

premium or assessment owed to the bureau by an employer; (6) Alter, forge, or create a workers' compensation certificate to falsely show current

or correct workers' compensation coverage; (7) Fail to secure or maintain workers' compensation coverage as required by Chapter

4123. of the Revised Code with the intent to defraud the bureau of workers' compensation. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of workers' compensation fraud.  Except as otherwise provided in this division, a violation of this section is a

misdemeanor of the first degree.  If the value of premiums and assessments unpaid pursuant to actions described in

division (A)(5), (6), or (7) of this section, or of goods, services, property, or

money stolen is one thousand dollars or more and is less than seven thousand five

hundred dollars, a violation of this section is a felony of the fifth degree.  If the value of premiums and assessments unpaid pursuant to actions described in

division (A)(5), (6), or (7) of this section, or of goods, services, property, or

money stolen is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more and is less than one hundred

fifty thousand dollars, a violation of this section is a felony of the fourth degree.  If the value of premiums and assessments unpaid pursuant to actions described in

division (A)(5), (6), or (7) of this section, or of goods, services, property, or

money stolen is one hundred fifty thousand dollars or more, a violation of this section

is a felony of the third degree. (C) Upon application of the governmental body that conducted the investigation and prosecution

of a violation of this section, the court shall order the person who is convicted

of the violation to pay the governmental body its costs of investigating and prosecuting

the case.  These costs are in addition to any other costs or penalty provided in the Revised

Code or any other section of law. (D) The remedies and penalties provided in this section are not exclusive remedies and

penalties and do not preclude the use of any other criminal or civil remedy or penalty

for any act that is in violation of this section. (E) As used in this section: (1) “ False ” means wholly or partially untrue or deceptive. (2) “ Goods ” includes, but is not limited to, medical supplies, appliances, rehabilitative equipment,

and any other apparatus or furnishing provided or used in the care, treatment, or

rehabilitation of a claimant for workers' compensation benefits. (3) “ Services ” includes, but is not limited to, any service provided by any health care provider

to a claimant for workers' compensation benefits and any and all services provided

by the bureau as part of workers' compensation insurance coverage. (4) “ Claim ” means any attempt to cause the bureau, an independent third party with whom the

administrator or an employer contracts under section 4121.44 of the Revised Code , or a self-insuring employer to make payment or reimbursement for workers' compensation

benefits. (5) “ Employment ” means participating in any trade, occupation, business, service, or profession for

substantial gainful remuneration. (6) “Employer,” “employee,” and “self-insuring employer” have the same meanings as in section 4123.01 of the Revised Code . (7) “ Remuneration ” includes, but is not limited to, wages, commissions, rebates, and any other reward

or consideration. (8) “ Statement ” includes, but is not limited to, any oral, written, electronic, electronic impulse,

or magnetic communication notice, letter, memorandum, receipt for payment, invoice,

account, financial statement, or bill for services;  a diagnosis, prognosis, prescription,

hospital, medical, or dental chart or other record;  and a computer generated document. (9) “ Records ” means any medical, professional, financial, or business record relating to the treatment

or care of any person, to goods or services provided to any person, or to rates paid

for goods or services provided to any person, or any record that the administrator

of workers' compensation requires pursuant to rule. (10) “ Workers' compensation benefits ” means any compensation or benefits payable under Chapter 4121., 4123., 4127., or

4131. of the Revised Code.