Health care fraud is perpetrated by a handful of people but costs Canadians between $5-$15 billion each year. That’s enough money to hire approximately 20,000 new doctors or purchase more than 5000 MRI machines. In some cases, like the BC woman who died after being given counterfeit prescription drugs, it can cost you your life.

Health care fraud is often seen as a victimless crime, when in fact it comes at a cost to each and every Canadian. Remember that each health care dollar lost to fraud represents one less dollar of your money that can be spent to support a better quality of health care for you.

It’s a crime with many faces. If you know a provider who bills for services that weren’t provided or a person who has filed false claims then report it at www.chcaa.org/report or call us at 1-866-962-4222. It’s your money and your health – protect them.

In an effort to protect consumers and reduce the incidence of fraud, the Competition Bureau of Canada in conjunction with its strategic partners participate in an annual initiative taking place in March. Fraud Prevention Month seeks to raise public awareness of the dangers of fraud, while educating Canadians on how to “Recognize it. Report it. Stop it.” There will be fraud awareness events taking place across Canada throughout the month where you can learn more information and tips about protecting yourself from becoming a victim of fraud.

For further information about health care fraud click here. Or to report it click here.

Learn more and protect yourself and your health in 2010!

The Canadian Health Care Anti-fraud Association (CHCAA) is pleased to announce that Daniel Tourangeau of Standard Life has been elected as CHCAA’s Chair for 2010. Daniel Tourangeau is a Chartered Accountant, a Certified Fraud Examiner and he holds a Graduate Degree in Investigative and Forensic Accounting from the University of Toronto.  Daniel has been leading the Investigation Services for Group Insurance at Standard Life over the past 2 years where he has deployed the team’s efforts at preventing, detecting and deterring fraud and abuse of the benefit plans.  He has over 10 years of experience both as an external auditor for an international firm and as an internal auditor.  Daniel also served as the association’s Vice-Chair in 2009.

Founded in 2000, the mission of the CHCAA is to combat health care fraud and assist in restoring the integrity of the Canadian health care system. One of the key objectives of the CHCAA is to build public, private, national and international partnerships with insurance carriers, service providers, law enforcement, health regulatory bodies, consumer groups and provider associations to protect the Canadian health care system from fraud.

Further information about the CHCAA, please visit our website at www.chcaa.org or contact us at 416-593-2633.

A man who ran successful cosmetic surgery clinics in Canad and the United States … a patient’s will–pleaded guilty of health insurance fraud yesterday. … (read more)