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News Release — November 1, 2004
MEDICAL BOARD OF CALIFORNIA
November 1, 2004
Medical Board of California Revokes
License of Moreno Valley Physician
SACRAMENTO—The Medical Board of California has revoked the medical license of Rufus Lewter, Jr., M.D., of Moreno Valley. The decision became effective October 29, 2004.
Lewter was first disciplined by the Medical Board in October 1987 for violation of Penal Code section 487 (grand theft) which involved his Medi-Cal billing practices wherein he sought reimbursement for psychotherapy sessions actually conducted by a non-physician educational psychologist. The Board placed Lewter on probation for five years on terms and conditions that included an actual 60-day suspension. As a condition of the 1987 probation, Lewter was required to pass an oral clinical examination. Lewter failed the initial oral clinical examination in March 1988, which resulted in the automatic suspension of his medical license until passage of a repeat examination. Lewter failed three additional examinations and finally passed a December 14, 1990 oral examination, and received notice of the results on January 4, 1991. During the period of October 5, 1990 until he passed the oral examination, Lewter practiced medicine without a valid license. Based on this and the dishonest representations made in connection with his pursuit of medical employment, his license was revoked on January 29, 1993.
Lewter's medical license was reinstated on November 16, 2001. Upon reinstatement, the license was subject to certain terms and conditions for five years. One such condition required that he take and pass an oral clinical or written examination within three attempts and within 18 months of the decision. Lewter failed all of his exams and failed to submit, for the Board's approval, a clinical or educational training program, as required by a condition of his probation. Therefore, cause existed to revoke Lewter's probation and impose the revocation of his medical license.
Lewter also was ordered to pay the Board's reasonable costs of investigation and enforcement, in the amount of $10,628.
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The mission of the Medical Board is to protect healthcare consumers through the proper licensing and regulation of physicians and surgeons and certain allied healthcare professions and through the vigorous, objective enforcement of the Medical Practice Act.
If you have a question or complaint about the healthcare you are receiving, the board encourages you to visit its Web site at www.caldocinfo.ca.gov or for questions call the Consumer Information Line at (916) 263-2382, or with complaints call (800) 633-2322.
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