A Toms River man has admitted to posing as a licensed medical professional to serve hundreds of elderly homebound patients, according to the U.S. District Attorney's office.
Patrick Lynch, 54, admitted to treating patients, prescribing medicine and ordering procedures while posing as a licensed physician.
Officials say that Lynch created the Visiting Doctors of New Jersey, a medical practice that offered care to elderly homebound patients in Ocean and Monmouth Counties. They say that he hired licensed doctors and nurses to serve clients, but that those professionals quit after they did not get paid.
Instead of paying the employees, Lynch used their licensed identification numbers to write prescriptions and bill Medicare, according to a press release.
“His actions placed these unsuspecting patients at undeterminable risk,” FBI special agent Michael B. Ward said in the release.
He has been charged with health care fraud and aggravated identity theft and faces as up to 12 years in prison with fines totaling more than $250,000.
Sentencing is scheduled for October, 17, 2011.
