CT Insider reported that two Connecticut physicians were fined $10,000 each following a Department of Public Health investigation involving unlicensed staff performing laser treatments at their Southington business.
Department of Public Health Investigation Involved Unlicensed Staff Laser Treatments
On May 20, 2026, CT Insider reported that the Connecticut Medical Examining Board fined two physicians, Dr. Christopher Betz and Dr. Scott Bissell, $10,000 each following a Department of Public Health investigation into alleged laser treatments performed by unlicensed staff at their Southington business. The board action involves staffing, licensure, physician responsibility, and informed consent considerations that may apply to Med Spa operators offering laser-based aesthetic or wellness services.
Medical Board Issues $10,000 Fines Following DPH Investigation
In its May 2026 article, CT Insider reported that the disciplinary action involved OrthoLazer, a Southington orthopedic laser business started by Dr. Christopher Betz and Dr. Scott Bissell, in addition to their regular practices. The report said the physicians referred patients to the center for laser treatments, with alleged treatments occurring from June 2020 to May 2021.
As reported by CT Insider, the case involved these details:
- Referral: Betz and Bissell referred patients to OrthoLazer for laser treatments.
- Treatment Period: The reported treatment activity occurred from June 2020 to May 2021.
- Unlicensed Staff: CT Insider reported that unlicensed staff allegedly performed laser treatments on one or more patients during that period.
- Consent: The report alleged that the doctors did not obtain informed consent or provide information about the benefits, risks, and side effects of the treatments.
- Revised Consent Orders: Each doctor agreed to a $5,000 fine in 2025 to avoid a hearing, but the Connecticut Medical Examining Board did not approve those proposed consent orders after board members said the fines were too low. On May 19, 2026, the board approved a second set of consent orders that increased the fine to $10,000 for each doctor.
CT Insider also reported that OrthoLazer closed in 2024, before the board approved the revised consent orders. The article separately noted that Dr. Betz had been disciplined in 2022 after another Department of Public Health investigation involving surgery and failure to follow pre-incision protocol.
Source Attribution
According to CT Insider’s May 20, 2026, report, the Connecticut Medical Examining Board approved disciplinary action following a Department of Public Health investigation into OrthoLazer. CT Insider reported that each physician was fined $10,000 for allegedly using unlicensed staff to perform laser treatments.
Compliance Context for Laser-Based Service Operations
The medical board discipline involving the two physicians centers on staff roles, physician responsibilities, and the consent process prior to treatment. CT Insider reported that the Department of Public Health investigation involved alleged laser treatments by unlicensed staff, along with allegations that patients were not given informed consent information on benefits, risks, and side effects.
Laser-based services can vary by treatment purpose, device type, and clinical setting. A service may be offered in cosmetic, aesthetic, wellness, orthopedic, or other medical contexts. For laser-based service operators, it is important to identify which state rules apply, which staff members may participate in treatment, whether provider assessment is required, and how consent should be documented.
Med Spa Context for Laser-Based Services
For Med Spa operators, Connecticut General Statutes § 19a-903c provides the state-law context for cosmetic medical procedures performed in a Med Spa. The statute defines cosmetic medical procedures to include laser skin resurfacing, laser treatment of leg veins, other laser procedures, intense pulsed light, and certain class II medical devices designed to induce deep skin tissue alteration.
The statute also states that cosmetic medical procedures in a Med Spa may be performed by a physician, a physician assistant, an advanced practice registered nurse, or a registered nurse. It requires an initial in-person physical assessment by a physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse before treatment.
The Connecticut reporting can also be reviewed alongside other state activity involving laser and staff licensure oversight. A separate Georgia Medical Board update addressed cosmetic laser practice, and a Texas matter involved alleged unlicensed lip injections at a Houston Med Spa.
Practical Implications for Connecticut Med Spa Operators
- Match each laser service to its treatment purpose, staff role, provider oversight, and consent requirements before offering the treatment.
- Confirm whether the service falls under Connecticut General Statutes § 19a-903c for cosmetic medical procedures performed in a Med Spa.
- Verify which licensed professionals may evaluate, perform, supervise, or delegate each laser or device-based service.
- Document provider assessment when required for a laser or device-based service treated as a cosmetic medical procedure in a Med Spa.
- Maintain informed consent records that identify the purpose of the treatment, potential benefits, risks, side effects, and the staff member who performed the service.
What to Watch Next
As reported by CT Insider, the Connecticut Medical Examining Board approved the revised consent orders on May 19, 2026, with $10,000 fines for each physician. Additional board records could provide more detail on the discipline, including how the board addressed staff roles, physician involvement, and consent for laser-based treatment services.
About Spakinect
Spakinect provides compliance infrastructure and telehealth-supported supervision solutions for medical aesthetic practices. For additional information, see our website.
Image Attribution: “Minneapolis City Council Chambers Gavel” by Czbik, via Wikimedia Commons, dedicated to the public domain under CC0 1.0.
