Aviva fraud investigation sparks sanctions
A chiropractor in Ontario penalized after evidence of fraud revealed
October 9, 2018 (Toronto, ON) – The College of Chiropractors of Ontario (CCO) has revoked Dr. Edward Hayes’ license and ordered him to pay a $15,000 penalty, adding to sanctions levied as a result of Aviva Canada’s 2016 investigation into fraud at a Toronto law firm and healthcare clinic.
The latest sanctions relate to fraudulent activity at the Wellness Centres of Ontario. However, the investigation also uncovered that Dr. Hayes received his chiropractor license despite being convicted of a similar fraud against Blue Cross in Michigan in the 1980s and ‘90s, resulting in Dr. Hayes:
- spending 12 months behind bars
- paying the insurer a fine of $140,000
- voluntarily relinquishing his license and decamping to Ontario
“A healthcare professional with a criminal past should not be permitted to treat injured accident victims in Ontario,” said Gordon Rasbach, Vice President of Fraud Management for Aviva Canada. “Professional bodies like the CCO must understand the impact their members who have acted fraudulently can have on insurance consumers who, in the end, wind up paying for their greed.”
Currently, the insurance system in Ontario has no mechanism to forewarn consumers when they encounter individuals like Mr. Hayes during the insurance claims process. It’s a significant gap for consumers. It would be an easy fix for government and one that would be welcomed by all – consumers, insurers and suppliers (including healthcare, automotive and property construction suppliers).
For consumers who are injured and visit a healthcare clinic after an accident, Aviva urges them to be vigilant to ensure they don’t become a victim of insurance fraud. To learn more about what consumers can do, visit www.avivacanada.com/fightfraud. Aviva Canada customers who suspect they may have been a victim of fraud can contact the 24/7 fraud hotline 1-855-332-5255 or email fraud.canada@aviva.com.
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Media Contact:
Elizabeth Wood
Aviva Canada
437-346-1924
About Aviva Canada
Aviva Canada is one of the leading property and casualty insurance groups in the country, providing home, automobile, leisure/lifestyle and business insurance to 2.8 million customers.
A subsidiary of UK-based Aviva plc, Aviva Canada has more than 4,000 employees focused on creating a bright and sustainable future for their customers and communities.
Aviva Canada invests in positive change through the Aviva Community Fund, Canada’s longest running online community funding competition, which has awarded $8.5 million to over 280 charities and community groups nationwide since its inception in 2009. Aviva Canada was the first insurer to become a national corporate partner of the Canadian Red Cross’ Ready When the Time Comes program, to be there for Canadians when disaster strikes. In 2016, it received The Burns & Wilcox Award for Philanthropy & Community Service. At Aviva Canada, protecting the people and things you love, supporting the causes you care about most and strengthening your local community is just good thinking.
For more information, visit Aviva Canada’s Corporate Responsibility page, or blog, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn pages.