August 11,2025
RED FM News Desk
A registered massage therapist in B.C. has been disciplined for submitting nearly 100 false insurance claims, according to the profession’s regulatory body.
Kelowna-based Vicky Bhardwaj reached a consent agreement with the College of Complimentary Health Professionals of B.C., admitting to the misconduct and agreeing to the penalties.
The investigation began in 2022 after a patient complaint, though the insurance provider had already uncovered the fraudulent billing before the complaint was filed.
According to the agreement, Bhardwaj admitted to submitting 97 false massage therapy claims to an insurance provider for treatments involving 10 patients that were never performed. The insurer’s investigation determined the claims were fraudulent and that Bhardwaj had engaged in deliberate misconduct.
The college’s code of ethics required her to report the insurer’s findings, but she did not. During the college’s investigation, she failed to fully acknowledge the extent of her actions and “falsely denied” some allegations, including claims for treatments supposedly provided while she was out of the country.
The agreement described her actions as a serious breach of trust between a health-care professional and the public, noting that fraudulent billing is unethical and can misuse resources meant for patient care. It also warned that such conduct could harm both individual patients and the profession’s reputation.
In addition to being suspended, Bhardwaj agreed to random audits of her practice for a year, to complete ethics courses, and to pay $350 to the college to cover part of its investigation costs.
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