Michigan Regulators Say Aflac Customer Submitted $47K In Phony Claims

By Staff Reports

After a joint investigation conducted by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) and the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office, a woman has been charged with submitting nearly $47,000 in false health care claims to her insurer.

Lorie Bevins, of Plainwell, was arraigned on August 26 in 57th District Court on four counts of submitting false health insurance claims. Bevins is alleged to have submitted 55 false claims totaling $46,800 against an AFLAC cancer policy for appointments that were either cancelled or not attended. Bevins faces four separate felony counts for filing false health care claims. Each count carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison.

“I’m proud of the work of the DIFS Fraud Investigation Unit, in conjunction with the Allegan County Sheriff and Prosecutor’s Offices, to investigate this case,” said DIFS Director Anita Fox. “Insurance fraud is a crime that makes insurance more expensive for all of us, and I ask Michiganders to support these efforts by reporting suspected insurance fraud online at Michigan.gov/ReportFraud2DIFS or by calling 877-999-6442.”

The case began when AFLAC submitted a suspected fraud report to the DIFS Fraud Investigation Unit (FIU). The FIU, created under Michigan’s new auto insurance law, is tasked with investigating fraudulent activity in the Michigan insurance and financial services markets. In a joint investigation with the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office, the DIFS FIU found sufficient evidence for the Allegan County Prosecutor’s Office to issue a four-count felony warrant against Bevins.

Bevins was released on a personal recognizance bond. A probable cause conference is scheduled for September 2 before Judge Joseph Skocelas, and a preliminary exam is set for September 7 before Judge William Baillargeon.

The DIFS Fraud Investigation Unit investigates criminal and fraudulent activity related to the insurance and financial markets and works with the Attorney General and other law enforcement to prosecute these crimes. Suspected insurance fraud can be reported to DIFS safely, easily and, in most cases, anonymously by calling 877-999-6442 or online by visiting DIFS' website.