Patient Horror: Medicaid recommends woman to doctor accused of sex assault

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A medical doctor criminally accused of sexually assaulting a former patient had his Illinois medical license suspended. So why did the state refer new patients to Dr. Mark G. Lewis?

Imagine you are a woman who just got Medicaid, and the state refers you to a doctor who is an accused sex offender and deemed an immediate danger to the public. Anne Metrik was on her way to an appointment with Dr. Lewis in August when she found out about the allegations.

DOCUMENT: Dr. Mark Lewis notice of suspension

DOCUMENT: Dr. Mark Lewis indictment paperwork

"I was in the car on my way there, that's how close I was to going to see this doctor," Metrik said.

Metrik is stunned that Lewis was the doctor the State of Illinois directed her to for a checkup, months after his license was suspended. The 33-year-old Geneva resident was excited to have finally been accepted into Medicaid, the government health program. A letter from the state listed Dr. Lewis as her primary care physician. His medical practice was near her home. She says she called the office and made an appointment to see him the next day.

Metrik says there was no mention of a suspended license. When she Googled to double-check his address, she saw the news stories with horrifying criminal charges alleging sexual assault and other troubling accusations from the agency that oversees the licensing of doctors.

"Chills immediately. And I just called up and canceled the appointment," she said. "I thought there was no way the state could send me this to me, especially being female, knowing his charges and knowing he was suspended. I was very shaken up."

The state licensing investigation reveals more than just one allegation against the doctor. According to a state document, a patient admitted to having a sexual relationship with Lewis while he was still her physician.

Also, in another incident reported to the Aurora Police Department, Dr. Lewis allegedly sent inappropriate text messages of a sexual nature to another patient. No criminal charges in relation to that alleged incident have been filed against Lewis.

The doctor did not respond to ABC7 I-Team questions at the west suburban medical office where his name is carved in stone. But outside the office, Lewis' barking dog connects the dots to the last time they were both in the news.

In May 2012, the Pomeranian named Tank apparently slipped off Lewis' boat and into the Chicago River.

"Tank trusted his safety with me and I failed him," Dr. Lewis said at the time. Dr. Lewis was all over television talking about his pooch wearing a doggie life vest. Tank was found wandering a few days later.

"Yesterday morning we woke up to a nightmare and by midnight it was a dream come true," Lewis said about finding the dog.

Two years later, Dr. Lewis stands accused of nightmarish behavior and state officials are unwilling to answer why he remained on their preferred doctor's list until contacted by the I-Team.

State Medicaid regulators cancelled a scheduled interview citing the agency's own investigation of Dr. Lewis. But in an emailed statement they say, "This situation is unacceptable and while it is currently under investigation, we have taken steps to prevent it from ever happening again. This was an isolated incident, and although this individual was prohibited by law from practicing medicine, we have strengthened our policies to increase safeguards and protect those we serve."

Healthcare consumer advocates say Medicaid is a good program, but they are now asking if doctors in Illinois are getting enough scrutiny.

"Definitely this brings to light the issue that that state needs to communicate or find a way to check the physicians credentials before they send the consumer the name of a physician," said Joan Sheforgen, Interim Exec. Dir., Campaign for Better Health.

Metrik says she called Medicaid twice to report she'd been referred to a suspended doctor. She says both times representatives blew her off. On Monday night, Illinois healthcare officials say they have directed contractors who handle enrollment phone calls to start reporting patient safety issues to the state. License checks are being increased and Dr. Lewis has been removed from the Medicaid list.

For more information on how you can research and check-up on your doctor you can contact: The Campaign for Better Healthcare