Texas Mutual Launches Purchasing Groups
for Health Care Industry

December 27, 2006 - Texas Mutual Insurance Company announced two new purchasing groups today: Hospitals of Texas (HOTComp) and Texas Medical Group (TMG). Both groups provide members with a competitive option for their workers’ compensation coverage. Any licensed Texas agent can place qualifying clients into the groups.

HOTComp, which is administered by HealthSure Insurance Services Inc., is open to qualifying hospitals and their majority-owned subsidiary businesses in Texas. TMG is administered by Sanford Insurance Agency. The group is open to qualifying medical risks other than hospitals, such as clinics, nursing homes and hospice.

Texas Mutual Insurance Company gives HOTComp and TMG members a premium discount based on each group’s premium volume, regardless of their individual premium size. Members have access to a safety plan developed for their industry, and they are eligible to participate in the Texas Mutual Insurance Company individual and group dividend programs.

Texas Mutual Insurance Company notes that past dividends are not a guarantee of future dividends, and the Texas Department of Insurance must approve all dividends.

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NFIB Groups Earn Texas Mutual Dividends

December 21, 2006 - Texas Mutual Insurance Company announced a $302,815 dividend to the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) workers’ compensation purchasing group for the construction industry today. The company also announced a $160,210 dividend to the NFIB workers’ compensation purchasing group for the wholesale/retail industry.

This marks the construction group’s fourth consecutive annual dividend and the first for the wholesale/retail group. Premium volume and loss ratio were factors in determining both dividends. Any licensed Texas agent can submit qualifying clients for membership in either group.

NFIB is the nation’s leading small-business advocate. Texas Mutual Insurance Company is the state’s leading writer of purchasing groups. The company notes that past dividends are not a guarantee of future dividends, and the Texas Department of Insurance must approve all dividends.

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Counselor Indicted on Perjury Charges

December 20, 2006 - Texas Mutual Insurance Company reported today that a Travis County grand jury indicted John Ann Morgan, a licensed professional counselor, on perjury charges. Morgan allegedly presented false testimony on matters relating to the investigation of Ihsan Shanti, M.D. of Houston, and his health care facility, Shanti Pain & Wellness Clinic.

Shanti and his clinic were indicted earlier this year on felony workers’ compensation fraud-related charges as a result of investigations conducted by Texas Mutual Insurance Company and the State Office of Risk Management. Shanti Pain & Wellness Clinic provides medical services to injured workers in Texas. The Shanti indictments alleged that between January 2003 and March 2006, Shanti and his clinic over-billed Texas Mutual Insurance Company and the State Office of Risk Management for pain management services in excess of hours actually attended by patients.

The Shanti and Morgan investigations are part of the Texas Mutual Insurance Company “zero tolerance for fraud” policy. The company maintains three teams of investigators permanently assigned to investigate every report of suspected fraud.

Note: A grand jury indictment is a formal accusation – not a conviction – of criminal conduct.

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Houston Nurse Sentenced for Workers’ Comp Fraud

December 19, 2006 - Texas Mutual Insurance Company reported today that a Houston nurse pleaded guilty to workers’ compensation fraud-related charges. The Travis County 299th Judicial District Court sentenced Brenda Hernandez to five years of deferred adjudication. The court also ordered Hernandez to perform 200 hours of community service and repay $14,499 in benefits she fraudulently obtained from Texas Mutual Insurance Company, plus costs.

Hernandez reported a job-related injury while working as a licensed vocational nurse assigned to the Harris County Jail by JWS Health Consultants Inc. of Houston. She claimed she was unable to work as a result of the injuries, and Texas Mutual Insurance Company began paying her workers’ compensation income benefits.

Meanwhile, Texas Mutual Insurance Company uncovered evidence that Hernandez was working for four different companies in Minnesota while she received income benefits. State law requires injured workers to contact their workers’ compensation insurance carrier when they return to work.

The Hernandez investigation is part of the Texas Mutual Insurance Company “zero tolerance for fraud” policy. The company maintains three teams of investigators permanently assigned to investigate every report of suspected fraud.

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Seven Indicted for Workers’ Comp Fraud

December 14, 2006 - Texas Mutual Insurance Company reported today that seven individuals were indicted, in separate cases, in Travis County on workers’ compensation fraud-related charges. The individuals allegedly collected a combined $31,358 in workers’ comp benefits they were not entitled to.

All seven cases involved a scam that investigators call double-dipping. Double-dipping occurs when claimants collect benefits for being too injured to work when they are, in fact, gainfully employed.

Here are the individuals who were indicted, along with the amount of benefits they allegedly collected: Michael Rosenberg of McAllen, $2,380; Andrea Junker of Austin, $1,505; Marvin Reyes of Del Valle, $6,640; Johano Gonzalez of Falfurrias, $3,508; Frank Tisdale of Los Fresnos, $6,849; Rufino Montiel-Lopez of Austin, $2,468; and Hubert McCain of Magnolia, $8,008.

The investigations are part of the Texas Mutual Insurance Company “zero tolerance for fraud” policy.

Note: A grand jury indictment is a formal accusation – not a conviction – of criminal conduct.

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TRA Earns $2M Texas Mutual Dividend

November 8, 2006 - Texas Mutual Insurance Company announced a $2,112,299 dividend to the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) purchasing group today.

Texas law allows employers in similar industries to reduce their workers’ comp premiums by purchasing their coverage as a group. TRA is an approved purchasing group for restaurateurs. Any licensed Texas agent can submit a qualifying client for TRA group membership.

The group’s premium volume and loss ratio were factors in determining its eighth consecutive dividend.

“The restaurant industry employs a large number of young and often inexperienced workers who may not understand the importance of workplace safety,” said Richie Jackson, TRA executive vice president/CEO. “Our track record for dividends is a testament to this group’s focus on recruiting safety-conscious employers and, above all, working with employees to maintain a safe and productive workplace.”

Texas Mutual Insurance Company is the state’s leading writer of purchasing groups. The company notes that past dividends are not a guarantee of future dividends, and the Texas Department of Insurance must approve all dividends.

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TGI Quadruples its Texas Mutual Dividend

November 1, 2006 - Texas Mutual Insurance Company announced a $297,098 dividend to the Texas Green Industry (TGI) purchasing group today. The dividend payout is more than four times the group’s 2005 dividend.

Texas law allows employers in similar industries to reduce their workers’ comp premiums by purchasing their coverage as a group. TGI is an approved purchasing group for growers, landscape contractors, nurseries and other green industry businesses. The group’s premium volume and loss ratio were factors in determining its dividend.

Any licensed Texas agent can submit a qualifying client for TGI group membership. Click here for more information.

Texas Mutual Insurance Company is the state’s leading writer of purchasing groups. Click here for a complete list of open purchasing groups. The company notes that past dividends are not a guarantee of future dividends, and the Texas Department of Insurance must approve all dividends.

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Truck Driver’s Fraud Conviction Nets Jail Term

October 31, 2006 - Texas Mutual Insurance Company reported today that Arthur Menard of Spring, Texas pleaded guilty to workers’ compensation fraud-related charges. Menard collected $16,581 in workers’ comp income benefits he was not entitled to. A Travis County district court sentenced him to 14 months in jail.

Menard reported a job-related injury while working as a truck driver for Better Beverages in Hallettsville, Texas. His doctor placed him in off-work status, and Texas Mutual Insurance Company began paying him workers’ comp income benefits.

Meanwhile, Texas Mutual Insurance Company uncovered evidence that Menard worked for other trucking companies while he collected benefits. State law requires injured workers to contact their workers’ comp insurance carrier when they return to work.

The Menard investigation is part of Texas Mutual Insurance Company’s “zero tolerance for fraud” policy. The company maintains three teams of investigators permanently assigned to investigate every report of suspected fraud.

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Texas Mutual Announces New Purchasing Group

October 18, 2006 - Texas Mutual Insurance Company announced its newest workers’ compensation purchasing group today: Texas Apartment Association (TAA). The group provides qualifying members with a competitive option for workers’ comp coverage.

State law allows employers in similar industries to reduce their workers’ comp premiums by purchasing their coverage as a group. TAA is an approved purchasing group for property and condo managers.

Members get a premium discount based on the premium volume of the entire group, regardless of their individual premium size. They can also adopt an industry-specific safety plan and participate in Texas Mutual Insurance Company’s individual and group dividend programs.

Texas Mutual Insurance Company underwrites the TAA purchasing group, and Whorton Insurance Services, Austin administers the program. Any licensed, Texas insurance agent can submit qualifying clients for membership. For more information about purchasing groups, click here.

Texas Mutual Insurance Company notes that past dividends are not a guarantee of future dividends, and the Texas Department of Insurance must approve all dividends.

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Truck Driver Sentenced for Workers’ Comp Fraud

October 12, 2006 - Texas Mutual Insurance Company reported today that a Travis County court sentenced Jerry S. Amaya of Cedar Creek, Texas on workers’ comp fraud-related charges. The court sentenced Amaya to one year of probation and ordered him to pay $1,455 in restitution to Texas Mutual Insurance Company, plus costs.

Amaya reported a job-related injury while working as a truck driver for Yarrington Road Materials LP. He claimed he was unable to work as a result of the injuries, and Texas Mutual Insurance Company began paying him income benefits.

A Texas Mutual^® investigation uncovered evidence that Amaya was working while he received income benefits. In fact, he was driving a truck for another company. State law requires injured workers to contact their workers’ comp insurance company when they return to work.

The Amaya investigation is part of Texas Mutual Insurance Company’s “zero tolerance for fraud” policy. The company maintains three teams of investigators permanently assigned to investigate every report of suspected fraud.

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Texas Mutual Announces Discount Program for Machinery and Equipment Dealers

October 9, 2006 - Texas Mutual Insurance Company announced its newest workers’ compensation purchasing group today: Texas Machinery and Equipment Dealers (TM&E). The group provides qualifying members with a competitive option for workers’ comp coverage.

State law allows employers in similar industries to reduce their workers’ comp premiums by purchasing their coverage as a group. TM&E is a state-approved purchasing group for machinery and equipment dealers, including, but not limited to: farm and industrial machinery, packaging machinery, construction machinery and lift truck dealers, as well as others in class code 8107. Texas Mutual Insurance Company underwrites the group, and The Roy Agency Inc. administers it.

TM&E group members keep their own experience modifier, and they get a premium discount based on the group’s premium volume. They can also adopt an industry-specific safety plan and earn potential dividends from Texas Mutual Insurance Company. Eligible members get an additional discount by participating in Texas Mutual Insurance Company’s workers’ comp health care network option.

Any licensed, Texas agent can submit qualifying clients for TM&E group membership. For more information about TM&E and other purchasing groups, click here. Texas Mutual Insurance Company notes that past dividends are not a guarantee of future dividends, and the Texas Department of Insurance must approve all dividends.

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Truck Driver Indicted for Workers’ Comp Fraud

October 5, 2006 - Texas Mutual Insurance Company reported today that a Bowie County grand jury indicted Debra Greenwell of Texarkana, Arkansas on workers’ compensation fraud-related charges. Greenwell allegedly collected $6,253 in workers’ comp benefits she was not entitled to.

Greenwell reported a job-related injury while working as a road construction worker for KWJ Construction Services in Texarkana, Texas. Her doctor placed her in off-work status, and Texas Mutual Insurance Company began paying her workers’ comp income benefits.

Meanwhile, Texas Mutual Insurance Company uncovered evidence that Greenwell was working as a truck driver for another company while she collected benefits. State law requires injured workers to contact their workers’ comp insurance carrier when they return to work.

The Greenwell investigation was part of Texas Mutual Insurance Company's “zero tolerance for fraud” policy. Texas Mutual Insurance Company maintains three teams of investigators permanently assigned to investigate every report of suspected fraud.

Note: A grand jury indictment is a formal accusation – not a conviction – of criminal conduct.

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