Toronto police issue warrant for fake dentist

Metro Toronto Police have issued an arrest warrant for an unlicensed dentist, who operated an illegal practice out of a basement in Toronto’s west end. Mr. Gzim Bytyqi aka. Dr. Jimmy Connolly, provided a low cost dental service for local residents, which included tooth extraction as well as building bridges and dentures. Mr. Bytyqi is charged with fraud, negligence causing bodily harm and a number of other charges relating to his unlicensed practice. For the time being, the police have been unable to locate Mr. Bytyqi, who is also said to have practices in Ottawa and the Gatineau.

In the face of increasing health care costs, it follows that consumers will be conscious of the price of services not covered by medicare. Nevertheless, it remains vital that we take the utmost care in choosing a qualified provider, so not to expose ourselves to unnecessary risks and dangers. Choosing a licensed health care provider is critically important, because unlike unlicensed practitioners, they have been certified in Canada as properly trained and are required to possess liability insurance for their practice. Do your best to verify the credentials of the provider and generally speaking, if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Protect yourself and your health. Be part of the solution.

Dr. Sunil Gupta was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay one million dollars resulting from a conviction for health care fraud. Dr. Gupta operated Northern Diagnostic Laboratories in the Brighton region of Ontario. This lab performed standard diagnostic tests (eg. blood tests) ordered by physicians or hospitals. Police were initially tipped off by physicians that used Dr. Gupta’s lab services and noticed strange billing irregularities on invoices. After raiding his business and interviewing numerous patients, the OPP proved that Dr. Gupta had been over billing OHIP for services that were never performed amounting to more than $2.6 million.

This case illuminates the high price tag that comes with health care fraud. At the same time it reminds us that public vigilance is an imperative to stopping health care fraud in its tracks.

Review: OPP Charge Doctor With Fraud Over $5,000

(See also: Doctor charged in $2.5M OHIP fraud)

After a 12 month investigation, officers from the OPP Health Care Fraud Investigation Unit laid charges against Dr. Michael Monture of Hagersville Ontario, in connection with fraudulent OHIP billings in excess of $5,000. Over a four year span beginning in 2003, Dr. Monture is said to have defrauded the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care of $2.5 million for medical services that were not rendered. Dr. Monture is due to appear in court on February 14th, 2008.

This is the second time charges of this kind have been laid by the OPP in the last four months. In October, Dr. Lorne Sokol was arrested in connection with fraudulent billings submitted to OHIP and the Workers Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario. The case against Dr. Sokol is ongoing.

Fraud of this kind represents a major cost to you and all Canadians, as it threatens the quality of care we receive and the future viability of the entire health care system. It is in our individual and collective interest to do all we can to protect our health and our tax dollars. Patients are advised to periodically check their health records, to ensure that the information contained in the record is accurate. You may view your health records at any time by asking your health care provider.

Protect yourself and your health. Be part of the solution.