Insurance Fraud Charge Filed Against North Dakota Man

A North Dakota man is facing an insurance fraud charge after allegedly using another person’s coverage to obtain services from an area hospital.

North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread, in partnership with the Bismarck Police Department and the Burleigh County State’s Attorney’s Office, announced the fraud charge was filed against James Lagein of Bismark.

Lagein allegedly used another individual’s health insurance policy information to fraudulently obtain services from a local hospital, the North Dakota Insurance Department reported. United Health Group was billed for treatments provided during this time. The violation of law resulted in more than $5,000 that was not the responsibility of the insurance company being paid to the hospital.

The department noted that insurance fraud costs consumers in the United States between $80-120 billion each year. It is the second most profitable crime in the United States behind only illegal drug sales.

Godfread said in the department’s release that the “average family pays an additional $900 a year in premiums due to insurance fraud.”

Source: North Dakota Insurance Department