Washington For every dollar they shelled out to combat fraudulent activities in 1998, health insurers saved $11, according to a newly released report by the Health Insurance Association of America.

The study, Health Insurers' Antifraud Programs, included responses from 58 companies representing 40 percent of the health insurance industry. It was conducted in conjunction with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and the National Health Care Antifraud Association.

Among its other findings:

* Antifraud activities saved more than $232 million in 1998, an average of $5.5 million per company.

* Of the reported health fraud cases, 80 percent were attributed to health care providers and 10 percent to consumers. The remaining 10 percent involved durable medical equipment suppliers, laboratories, pharmacies, billing agencies and unlicensed health care providers.

* Ninety-five percent of the surveyed insurance companies have antifraud programs, and 96 percent conduct antifraud training programs for their employees.