Concealing Fraudulent Acts Lead to Health Provider’s Suspension 

*The following are the uncontested facts from a Discipline Hearing of the College of Chiropractors of Ontario (CCO). The name has not been used to preserve anonymity. 

The Situation

Over a six year period, a chiropractor submitted claims of over $500,000 to OHIP for chiropractic services that he did not provide. He was charged with and found guilty of defrauding OHIP for over $5,000 under the Criminal Code. He continued to work as a chiropractor and chose not to make the College of Chiropractors of Ontario aware of the fact that he was charged with and found guilty of fraud. 

The Requirement

Chiropractors, like physiotherapists, must provide their College with details of any findings of guilt of a criminal offence that is relevant to their suitability to practice. Health care providers who do not reveal this information have committed an act of professional misconduct. 

Every year, members are required to complete their annual renewal form truthfully, and are asked if they have been found guilty of any offences. In this chiropractor’s case, he did not answer this question honestly on his renewal form, and did not make the CCO aware of important information about his suitability to practice. 

The Consequences

After reviewing all of the facts, the Committee acknowledged the practitioners remorse, however it found his conduct to be disgraceful, dishonourable and unprofessional. 
As a result, the panel recommended the following: a reprimand, a 9-month suspension of the chiropractor’s certificate of registration and the addition of specific terms, condition and limitations. 

And at his own expense, he had to complete a record keeping and an ethics course. He was also required to participate in the CCO's peer assessment program, pay the College $5,000 in legal fees, his case appeared on the Public Register and was published in the their annual report.