A Surrey chiropractor has been ordered to pay almost $20,000 after he was found guilty of defrauding ICBC.
Dr. Maninder Singh Badyal, the owner of Absolute Health and Wellness Clinic in Surrey, was convicted in June of committing fraud over $5,000 and billing ICBC for treatments that were never performed.
The investigation dates back to October, 2014, when an ICBC adjuster noticed some irregularities in documentation involving one patient.
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When the ICBC Special Investigation Unit (SIU) looked into the matter, investigators found evidence of irregular billing patterns from this clinic.
Evidence presented in court showed 11 patients were directed to meet with Badyal, although none of them actually went to the clinic for chiropractic treatment. However, ICBC was billed for those treatments that patients denied to have received.
On Aug. 16, the judge sentenced Badyal to pay a $10,000 fine and $9,600 in restitution.
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North American auto insurance industry studies estimate that 10 to 20 per cent of claims contain an element of fraud or exaggeration. This means that fraud is costing British Columbians up to $600 million per year, which translates to more than $100 on every auto insurance policy.
ICBC’s Special Investigation Unit closed nearly 10,000 investigations in 2016. The SIU’s work has resulted in approximately 550 convictions from 2010 to 2015.
British Columbians can report suspicious activities related to insurance fraud to ICBC’s toll-free tips line at 1-800-661-6844.