Abstract This paper attempts to identify the different types of insurance fraud perpetrated today and to evaluate their effect on the insurance industry and society at large. After tax evasion, insurance fraud is considered the highest-ranked among white-collar crimes. It provides a history of insurance, examines in detail the main types of insurance frauds currently around and discusses the measures that can be taken to help prevent and reduce the number of fraudulent claims.
Table of contents:
Abstract
Introduction
History of Insurance
Insurance Fraud
How Insurance Frauds Affect Society
Classification of Fraud by Insurance Companies
Insurance Fraud Status as a Crime
Types of Insurance Frauds
Staged Auto Accidents
Arson-for-Profit Health Insurance Fraud by Individuals and Corporations
Workers' Compensation Fraud
Property/ Casualty Insurance Fraud
Agent Fraud
Fake and Real Deaths to Collect Life Insurance Money
Identity Fraud
Efforts to Reduce Insurance Fraud
Conclusion
From the Paper "One of the most famous insurance providers in the world today, Lloyd's of London came into existence in 1688. Edward Lloyd owned a coffeehouse in London where merchants and bankers evaluated the risk of the maritime operations of seafaring vessels used for trading among the various British colonies and those used for prospecting new lands. Financiers for the expensive endeavors and trips to far off lands invested huge amounts of money in the hope that the voyages would be successful. Ship captains required money for supplies and goods, and would offer to embark on these dangerous trips with the help of these financiers?a potentially, mutually beneficial endeavor."
Tags: premiums, fraudulent, claims, crime, arson-for-profit, property, casualty, health
Abstract This paper discusses the difference between for-profit and not-for-profit hospitals. The paper begins by reviewing the for-profit and not-for-profit classification. Next the paper discusses what makes a hospital a not-for-profit and the charitable implications associated with such an institution. The paper concludes by comparing and contrasting the care quality between for-profit and not-for-profit hospitals.
From the Paper "Not-for-Profit A not-for-profit hospital is so defined by its status with the United States Internal Revenue Service. Specifically, the not-for-profit classification means that an institution..."
Briefly looks at the differences between auditing for a non profit organization and auditing for a business and then focusses on the auditing process for a non profit organization.
2,025 words (approx. 8.1 pages), 4 sources, 2006, $ 80.95
Abstract The accounting function is central to the conduct of business for profit-making organizations and non-profit organizations alike, though clearly with a different focus for each. In both cases, the purpose of accounting is to compare the money coming in and the money going out and to do so following clear accounting rules set down by the profession and by legislators. This paper discusses auditing and the non profit organization.
Abstract The paper delves into this matter by looking at the issue of Employee Profit Sharing Plans, more commonly known as EPSPs. More particularly, a general overview of EPSPs is furnished and some different types of employee profit sharing plans are reviewed, if for no other reason than employees must make every effort to find the financial package that will work best for them. The paper also discusses the benefits and debits of employee profit sharing plans.
From the Paper "Employee profit-sharing plans offer a number of benefits to working men and women that simply cannot be passed over lightly. As social security in both the United States and in Canada erodes under the weight of an aging population and declining birthrate, North Americans are being encouraged to find alternative means by which they can provide for their future. The following paper will delve into this matter by looking at the issue of Employee Profit Sharing Plans (more commonly known as EPSPs)."
Abstract This paper presents a discussion on the need for companies to improve their customer service in order to enhance customer satisfaction since it has a direct effect on a company's profitability. The writer proposes that companies should continuously examine customer satisfaction by conducting research on the target market.
From the Paper ?In the world of business, customer service is a term that is tossed around freely and accepted to mean taking care of one's customers. In many businesses one can see signs that proclaim, "The customer is the most important person here". However, we should examine how true these words are in reality. When the economy is booming and people are spending money like there is no tomorrow, customer service is important but often times businesses slack on the need to improve it. When the economy begins to sag like it has been recently customer service becomes paramount to success. Marketing departments all over the nation are discovering that customer satisfaction can be scientifically researched and improved upon. The ultimate goal of a customer-centered organization is to maximize its customer satisfaction. By fulfilling this goal the bottom line is sure to improve.?
Abstract This paper takes an in depth look at the ways in which pharmaceutical companies unscrupulously put profit before people. Five of the main ways in which they do this that are discussed are; manipulation of research, undue influence over doctors prescribing practices, direct-to-consumer advertising, discrediting of their competitors pharmaceutical and natural alike, and investing only in profitable research. Each topic is discussed thoroughly with credible sources to back the data up.
From the Paper "The pharmaceutical industry wants people to believe that their main goal is to help people. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) has even begun airing feel-good commercials featuring people whose lives have been saved by medications. In reality, they spend billions of dollars every year to ensure their true purpose, maximum profit. Their influence begins in the research lab, where the sponsor, usually a pharmaceutical company with a huge financial stake in the findings, has more to say over how the study is conducted and what information is released then the actual investigators, leading some of the foremost medical journals in the world to fight back with strict guidelines. After the pharmaceutical companies get their products approved, they engage in a campaign of bribery to persuade doctors to prescribe their name brand, expensive drugs over their competitor's products. Not wanting to leave it up to the doctors alone to endorse their products, the pharmaceutical industry has started advertising directly to an unwitting populace, on television and in popular magazines. Pharmaceutical companies use their political power and vast economic resources to discredit and undermine non-drug treatment options for various diseases, particularly by attacking the burgeoning field of holistic medicine. Furthermore, the pharmaceutical companies have a long history of not investing in research that would lead to drugs for diseases that effect the world's poor, because there is little profit to be made in developing nations. Through various immoral practices, the pharmaceutical companies put profit ahead of the interests, health and safety of consumers. "
Abstract This paper examines the non-profit sector of the housing market, with particular emphasis on the real estate situation in Los Angeles. The paper looks at market trends and the ambiguous role of non-profits in the market.
From the Paper "Non-profit organizations and the real estate industry represent polar opposites when it comes to their respective missions. Non-profits seek to serve a public good while the real estate industry exists to provide housing..."
Abstract The start of the fourth quarter of the current year has experienced a slow growth that has created problems for retail businesses all over the US. This paper summarizes a Reuter report and analyzes its content to study the impact of reduced consumer spending upon the profitability of a firm.
Abstract In this article, the writer points out that privacy laws in the United States have received little enforcement because the only regulating authority has traditionally been the Federal Trade Commission. The writer also notes that regardless of legislation that is passed in an attempt to ensure privacy exists for Americans, the laws have served as general guidelines that are interpreted and possibly followed by business entities. Further the writer discusses that when non-profit organizations are considered there is little regulation and in some cases no regulation to control the gathering of personal information retrieved to solicit financial gain.
From the Paper "This is a reflection of the freedoms that have been afforded non-profit organizations in the country, with the public often being unaware of the use of their personal information. A large factor in the issue of privacy and non-profit organizations has been the exchange of personal information."
Abstract This paper begins by giving a definition of arson and shows some recent arson statistics. The paper then looks at the issue of arson and fraud and discusses which kinds of people commit arson. A discussion about how arson is investigated and the types of evidence used in an investigation is included.
From the Paper "More than half of all arson crimes are committed by juveniles. "Juveniles now account for 55 percent of Arson related arrests." In some figures compiled by the state of Maryland, they found their juvenile arrest rate was over 60%. And, 10% of those juvenile arrests were under 8 years of age! A full 53% of all juvenile arson arrests in Maryland were under the age of 18. A breakdown of reasons for setting arson fires by juveniles shows that the largest percentage is vandalism, some 61%/ Other reasons include juvenile fireplay, spite or revenge, some sort of domestic situation (that is, arguing with Mom and Dad, and setting something in the house or yard on fire, including the family car). A very small fraction of juvenile arson was caused by attempts to conceal a crime."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses the crime of arson. The writer examines how such a crime can be detected. The paper first examines the chemistry of a fire in detail and then looks at how fires spread. The writer discusses how to differentiate arson from an accidental fire, by detecting the presence of accelerants.
From the Paper "The crime of arson is the willful burning of someone else's property and the crime is more dangerous to human life than murder because statistically, murderers usually do not kill again but arsonists will continue to set fires until they are caught. Arson investigations are highly complex processes and unless conducted immediately valuable evidence may be lost forever. To determine whether a fire is accidental or a case of arson, it is necessary to understand the basics of the chemistry and behavior of fires. Fire is ... "
Tags: accelerants, ignition point, flashpoint, conduction, convection, radiation
Abstract This paper explains that, when examining fire-setting by children and adolescents, it is important to distinguish between fires set intentionally and fires accidentally set because so many children play with fire, especially between the ages of three and five, that many psychologists consider it normal childhood behavior. The author points out that research suggests a variety of factors associated with arson behavior in youths: desire to exert power over adults; an extreme expression of antisocial behavior; other aggressive behaviors, including lying, stealing, vandalism, and sexual offenses; and broad-ranging deficits in social skills. The paper reports that some programs that focus on correcting the lack of effective discipline in the youth's dysfunctional family have been able to reduce the incidence of repeat fire-setting behavior.
From the Paper "Other examples provided by Coleman et. al. do not show any likely causes from early childhood. One boy reported that he went into a brother's room, took his Game Boy and found a lighter. He then set his own curtains on fire ?just to see how it would burn.? He then went to church where he used toilet paper to start a fire both in a restroom and outside in a trash receptacle. He showed interest in both increasing thrills and in watching people's reactions: he threw the lighter into the outside fire and enjoyed watching it explode. He then enjoyed talking to people about the bathroom fire. Eventually he admitted to starting both fires, but since he showed no remorse, the researchers might wonder whether he also used the fires to draw attention to himself."
This paper discusses that, today, in the real world of business, companies are faced with issues, not only of profit maximization, but also of ethical responsibility.
Abstract This paper stresses that the various mathematics-driven theorems for profit maximization in an ideal business world do not account for the "real" workplace, where decisions must be made that take into account the moral and ethical repercussions of the firm's activities. The author cites the Williamson model to understand the tradeoff between profit and social responsibility, focusing on two components: The executive's willingness to forego profit for the amenity, and the effects of the amenity on profit. The paper points out the importance of supporting the family life of workers because the long-term effects of these kinds of policies are that a firm retains valuable employees, which impacts its profit maximization potential.
Table of Contents
Changing Theories of Profit Maximization
Static Theories in Imperfect Settings
Social Responsibility
From the Paper "The social responsibility of business has received a great deal of attention in recent years. A large literature on the subject has emerged, evaluating the implications for profits, stock returns, and even individual careers. One strain of literature provides prescriptions for businesses, attempting to dictate the appropriate behavior of business with regard to socially responsible actions. At first glance, the divergent view of businesses? obligations to society seems unrelated and contradictory. It is difficult to identify the attributes of acts to be characterized as socially responsible. A popular management text says that there is no single agreed-upon concept of social responsibility for business firms and managers. Views of what constitutes a socially responsible act range from "profit making only," to "going beyond profit making," to "a social obligation, beyond that required by law and economics" "
Abstract This paper examines the article, "Non-Profit Management Students: Who They Are and Why They Enroll", by Mark. L. Wilson and R. Sam Larson, in connection with graduate and certificate programs in non-profit management education. It looks at how non-profit management has now been recognized as a profession, and non-profit managers are involved in diverse range of activities, including schools of business, social work, public administration, and non-profit management. It shows how the article studies the students enrolled in the non-profit courses in various institutes in the USA through a survey conducted by sending questionnaires to a sample of students in selected universities of six states of the U.S.A. in order to improve the program and its availability at suitable institutions.
From the Paper "The paper being discussed then attempts to statistically analyze the results of the survey conducted and reach conclusions about the results. It is found that most of the respondents were white females of varied age. Most of the students were employed full time while taking classes and locality was important to them as most of them sought to enroll close to home. The study program was chosen because of the reputation of the program and its concentration on non-profits and the students decided to study because of personal development and skill enhancement as well as financial benefits. The educational expenses were offset by the financial support of the employers.
Few differences between the students were found on the basis of demographics and the type of course being studied i.e. certificate or degree. Usually a suitable program with a strong reputation within one hour of home or work was enrolled in."
Abstract This paper considers the development of the accounting concept of profit. The paper considers the methods of measuring profit under various accounting systems and also analyses how profit is reported under GAAP.
Outline
Introduction
Profit Defined
Capital Maintenance
Determining Profit Historical Cost Accounting
Current Cost Accounting
Reporting Profit Conclusion
From the Paper "The second measure of capital maintenance is maintenance of physical capital. This measure was born of the belief that there were inherent shortcomings in historical cost accounting and its objective of maintaining money capital. Instead, maintaining intact a monetary measure of wealth, this measure seeks to maintain the operating capacity of the firm, or the purchasing power of its wealth. Maintenance of physical capital is the objective in accounting systems using current costs (Henderson et al., p. 85-7)."
Tags: accounting, capital, cost, current, financial, maintenance, theory
