Chiropractors Face Insurance Fraud Charges

May 28--SUNNYVALE -- A pair of chiropractors are being charged with fraud after investigators found evidence they were engaged in a scam to gain thousands of dollars in insurance money, prosecutors said.

The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office announced Tuesday that multiple felony counts are being pursued against Wendy Lanser of Los Altos and Lisa Shaw-O'Conner of Fremont. They were arrested on Friday.

Deputy District Attorney Denise Raabe said Lanser provided weekly chiropractic treatments for her husband and two children for several years, then turned in claim forms that said the services were provided by another employee. Lanser's insurance policy does not cover treatments done by a family member.

"It hurts everyone when a medical provider fraudulently submits medical claims," Raabe said. "The cost of provider fraud is ultimately passed onto the insurance consumer."

According to prosecutors, Shaw-O'Conner got involved more recently, signing claim forms as the servicing physician for Lansing's family while not actually providing treatment.

Lanser faces a maximum of nearly 20 years in prison while Shaw-O'Conner faces 13 years. If convicted, they would also be ordered to pay restitution.

Both are scheduled to be arraigned on June 11.

Contact Eric Kurhi at 408-920-5852. Follow him at Twitter.com/erickurhi.

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