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Quarter million dollar assisted devices fraud

The objective of the ADP is to provide consumer support and funding to Ontario residents who have long-term physical disabilities. 
wheelchair shutterstock_105127835 2016
File photo.

The OPP Anti-Rackets Branch, Health Fraud Investigation Unit has charged an assistive devices business owner and two staff members following a lengthy investigation.

Police received a complaint from the Ministry of Health, Assistive Devices Program (ADP) in 2014 regarding a Registered Vendor of Mobility Aids and ADP Registered Authorizers of Mobility Devices. The ADP believes that the vendor and authorizers were working together to prescribe and supply mobility aids to clients who did not meet ADP eligibility criteria. 

The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care estimates the value of this fraud to be in excess of $227,000.  

The objective of the ADP is to provide consumer support and funding to Ontario residents who have long-term physical disabilities. 

Charged are:

  • Faisal Minhas, aged 45 years of Brampton, with Fraud Over $5,000 and Submit a Forged Document; 
  • Vajira Wijekoon, aged 56 years of Mississauga, with Fraud Over $5,000 and Cause or Attempt to use a Forged Document; and,
  • Vinita Tandon, aged 41 years of Brampton, with Fraud Over $5,000 and Cause or Attempt to use a Forged Document.

Devices covered by the program are intended to enable people with physical disabilities to increase their independence through access to assistive devices responsive to their individual needs.

ADP covers over 8,000 separate pieces of equipment or supplies in the following categories : prostheses; wheelchairs/mobility aids and specialized seating systems; enteral feeding supplies; monitors and test strips for insulin-dependent diabetics (through an agreement with the Canadian Diabetes Association); hearing aids; insulin pumps and supplies for children; respiratory equipment; orthoses (braces, garments and pumps); visual and communication aids; oxygen and oxygen delivery equipment, such as concentrators, cylinders, liquid systems and related supplies, such as masks and tubing.