167 audio prosthetists pinched for discounts

One hundred sixty-seven audioprosthetists paid a total of $240,000 to their professional order for receiving rebates from hearing aid manufacturers they were not entitled to.

According to information obtained by our Bureau of Investigation, the relevant hearing aid professionals have already recovered benefits or discounts on prostheses through the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ).

In a letter sent to members in recent weeks, Trustee Gino Villeneuve signaled the end of the investigation he has been leading for more than a year.

According to the trustee, they violated their code of ethics, which prohibits any kind of concession, benefit or commission.

In addition to paying a certain amount to their professional order, the respective audioprosthetists agreed to terminate their contracts with hearing aid manufacturers.

Despite our requests, the Syndic refused to give further details on the benefits or discounts available to hearing professionals. In response to our questions, we were asked to access the information request.

There is no disciplinary committee

In his letter, he indicated that the 167 audioprosthetists were not required to submit to the disciplinary committee of their professional order and that they cooperated with the investigation.

“Therefore, the Syndic considers the risk of future such crimes by these audioprosthetists to be very low, if not zero,” wrote Gino Villeneuve.

This is not the first time that audioprosthetists have been suspected of receiving discounts on the prostheses they sell to their patients.

RAMQ investigation

In 2017, our Bureau of Investigation revealed that RAMQ had launched a major investigation into the matter.

The Régie suspected that manufacturers granted discounts, bonuses, free rent and other benefits to audioprosthetists to promote sales of their products.

At the time, the Professional Association of Audioprosthetists of Quebec advised its members not to answer the questions. Log or any other media.

In 2015, nearly 200 Proxim-affiliated pharmacists agreed to pay up to $12,500 each to receive benefits from wholesaler McKesson.