Caltrans' patient mystery eluded best of sleuths.(Brief Article)

It was a medical case that would have puzzled even Agatha Christie.

For a decade, a California state employee had claimed she was diagnosed with breast cancer and submitted dozens of medical claims for a mastectomy, reconstructive surgery and follow-up visits.

The problem: She never had cancer, even though she'd convinced doctors she needed medical help.

Only an attorney who found her medical records suspicious and an oncologist hired by Beaverton-based Health Cost Management LLC were able to unravel the mystery Her employer, The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), is now suing to recover the money they spent on her care.

Mind boggling? Yes. Rare? Yes.

But as insurance companies step up their challenges to medical claims and personal-injury lawsuits, they are keeping companies …