Liberty Mutual Insurance Company recently came to settlement terms with David S. Tamaren, a Lynn, Mass., physician who the insurance company claimed improperly billed for his services and collected monies between 1998 and 2002. Dr. Tamaren agreed to repay Liberty Mutual $150,000 in a deal that does not constitute an admission of guilt.

Liberty Mutual agreed to settle its lawsuit filed in July 2002, in which the company alleged Dr. Tamaren prescribed diagnostic testing and durable medical equipment that was not medically necessary, kept inaccurate records of treatment, and prepared and submitted improper medical bills and improper claims for medical treatment, services, and expenses in connection with automobile accidents.

"This is an excellent outcome, not only for our company, but for our policyholders," said Glenn Wolf, manager of special investigations for Liberty Mutual, in a statement. "Insurance costs our customers and the industry billions of dollars a year, and Liberty Mutual has zero tolerance for these violations. We will continue to vigorously take action against those who cheat the system, so we can drive the costs of fraud out of the premiums of law-abiding people."