FSCO charges director of a Toronto-area treatment centre in connection with auto insurance claims payments

The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) has charged the director of a Greater Toronto Area-based treatment centre with knowingly making false or misleading statements to an auto insurer to obtain payment for goods and services provided to an insured.
The allegations have not yet been proven in court.
Following an investigation, FSCO found that Misha Saltanov, the director of York Disability Management Centre, had submitted false invoices to get paid for treatment that was never provided, a FSCO statement says.
The first court appearance for this matter is scheduled for July 14, 2011.
“This action clearly demonstrates that FSCO will not tolerate and will continue to prosecute abuses by unscrupulous participants in the Ontario auto insurance system,” said Philip Howell, CEO and superintendent of FSCO.
FSCO investigates allegations of misconduct, unfair practices and non-compliance with legislation or regulations in its regulated sectors. If warranted, FSCO takes enforcement action, such as initiating a prosecution.
In March, FSCO released a bulletin reminding insurers of their rights and responsibilities in curbing questionable and abusive claims. Verifying invoices and expenses was an area of concern highlighted in the document.
On July 1, an amendment to Ontario’s Insurance Act will essentially allow insurers to delay paying for suspect treatment plans until the treatment provider provides the insurer with all of the necessary and required information.