Mass. Charges 5 Chiropractors with Insurance Fraud

Editor’s note: Proceedings against Dr. Deidre Callanan of Holyoke have been dropped since this story first ran.

The Massachusetts Board of Chiropractors has initiated separate disciplinary proceedings against five chiropractors for allegations of insurance fraud.

Each chiropractor has been given formal notification of the charges as well as a notice to appear in front of a board member and hearing counsel to answer to these allegations. Until the hearing commences and a decision is rendered, these chiropractors may continue to practice.

“This is part of our on-going efforts to attack insurance fraud problems in Massachusetts,” said Anne L. Collins, director of the Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure. “The filing of these cases proves the board’s steadfast mission to protect consumers and not tolerate fraud in this industry. In addition, we also wanted consumers be aware that these individuals are currently under investigation.”

The chiropractors who are the subject of disciplinary proceedings include:

• Dr. Brian Bowcock of Fairhaven. The allegations against Dr. Bowcock are that he violated board regulations by providing unnecessary treatments to a patient and failed to keep adequate records.

• Dr. Deidre Callanan of Holyoke. Dr. Callanan faces similar allegations of unnecessary treatments to a patient and improper record keeping.

• . Dr. Hai N. Huynh of Dorchester. Dr Huynh allegedly failed to keep adequate records and allegedly engaged in improper conduct by giving three patients nearly identical treatments.

• Dr. John E. Maslar of Agawam. Dr. Maslar allegedly overcharged insurance companies and it is asserted that he failed to maintain adequate records.

• Dr. Kris A. Holmberg of Brookline. Dr. Holmberg allegedly treated a patient without the patient’s full consent.

In the past 12 months, the Office of Prosecutions of the Division of Professional Licensure has charged nine professionals with insurance fraud. Discipline of these individuals ranges from license revocation to having their license placed on probation.

The Division of Professional Licensure is responsible for overseeing 29 boards of registration that regulate 43 professions.