DISCIPLINE SUMMARIES
DR. RANJIT KUMAR CHANDRA
PRACTICE LOCATION: Address Unknown
AREA OF PRACTICE: Pediatrician (Allergy)
HEARING INFORMATION: Physician Did Not Attend Hearing
On December 8, 2017, the Discipline Committee
found that Dr. Chandra committed an act of profes-
sional misconduct, in that he failed to respond ap-
propriately or within a reasonable time to a written in-
quiry from the College, and in that he has engaged in
conduct or an act or omission relevant to the practice
of medicine that, having regard to all of the circum-
stances, would reasonably be regarded by members as
disgraceful, dishonorable, or unprofessional.
Dr. Chandra is a pediatrician who has been a mem-
ber of the College since 1994. He has been practising
in the field of allergy medicine in six locations.
SCHEME TO DEFRAUD OHIP
In March 2016, while investigating another physi-
cian, College investigators noted unusual billing
patterns and referral sources regarding Dr. Chandra’s
billings. Several weeks later, the College received a
complaint from a patient, Patient A, who had seen
Dr. Chandra on one occasion. Patient A testified that
Dr. Chandra asked her to participate in a fraudulent
billing scheme using her health card number and
those of her family for services he had not provided.
Patient A also heard Dr. Chandra approach other
patients to the same effect. She contacted the police
and then notified the College. Three other patients
testified at the hearing and the Committee con-
sidered detailed documentary evidence including
OHIP records, Dr. Chandra’s banking records, Dr.
Chandra’s records from Rogers Communications and
Bell Canada, as well as e-mail correspondence from
computers seized by the College.
The evidence demonstrated that Dr. Chandra re-
cruited approximately 300 people to this scheme and
$2,056,342 in OHIP fees were paid to Dr. Chandra
over four years.
Based on all the above, the Committee concluded
that Dr. Chandra engaged in a scheme to defraud
OHIP, including soliciting patients to participate
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DIALOGUE ISSUE 4, 2018
in the scheme, providing patients with payments in
exchange for their participation in the scheme and
submitting claims that were not associated to any
service provided to a patient.
The Discipline Committee also found that Dr.
Chandra failed to co-operate with the investigation
noting that a pending criminal proceeding, such as
the one facing Dr. Chandra, is no basis for a member
to refuse to be interviewed or to co-operate with a
College investigation.
ORDER
The Discipline Committee ordered the revocation of
Dr. Chandra’s certificate of registration. The Com-
mittee also ordered a fine of $35,000 payable to the
Minister of Finance and a reprimand. Dr. Chandra
was also ordered to pay costs to the College in the
amount of $16,500.
For complete details, please see the full decision at
www.cpso.on.ca. Select Find a Doctor and enter the
doctor’s name.
At the conclusion of the hearing, Dr. Chandra waived
his right of appeal and the Discipline Committee ad-
ministered the reprimand.
DR. ALBERT POH SOON CHOONG
PRACTICE LOCATION: Toronto
AREA OF PRACTICE: General Practice
HEARING INFORMATION: Admission, Agreed Statement of
Facts, Joint Submission on Penalty and Costs
On February 5, 2018, the Discipline Committee
found that Dr. Choong committed an act of profes-
sional misconduct in that he failed to maintain the
standard of practice of the profession and engaged in
an act or omission relevant to the practice of medi-
cine that, having regard to all the circumstances,
would reasonably be regarded by members as dis-
graceful, dishonourable or unprofessional.
Dr. Choong received his certificate of registration
authorizing independent practice in Ontario in 1972.
At the relevant time, Dr. Choong practised family
medicine in Toronto.