Edmonton doctor who pleaded guilty to fraud sanctioned by the CPSA

Dr. Yifei Shi (Source: Canadian Association of Medical Aesthetics.)

An Edmonton doctor has been sanctioned by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) following a criminal conviction in 2022.

Dr. Yifei Shi pleaded guilty to fraud over $5,000 for fraudulently billing Alberta Health Services more than $800,000 and was sentenced to four years in prison.

She was initially accused of fraudulently billing the province up to $4.1 million in fees for service, but pleaded guilty only to overcharging by $827,077 in 2016.

Her total billings that year were $1,388,862. The court document states the average for general practitioners in Alberta in 2016 was $306,332.

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CPSA said Shi completed a practice visit with the Individual Practice Review program in 2021 which found no concerns with her clinical practice.

She also underwent an independent assessment in 2024 which found she could continue to practice under certain conditions.

Shi also acknowledged that her actions constituted unprofessional conduct and a CPSA tribunal accepted a joint submission on sanctions, which include:

•A reprimand.

•Conditions on her permit, requiring that she practise in a multi-physician practice for at least one year and submit to random audits of her billing for five years.

•A fine of $10,000, along with 100 per cent of the costs of the investigation and hearing.

•If Shi does not comply with the orders of the hearing tribunal, or CPSA receives or opens a complaint regarding issues similar to those brought forward in this matter, Shi shall be required to serve a suspension of two months.

The CPSA says Shi served 10 months of her sentence and is on parole until November 2026.

She is not practicing at this time and her practice permit is currently inactive.

Before she was charged in 2021, Shi practiced family and cosmetic medicine at the Commerce Park Medical Clinic on 100 Avenue and 166 Street.