An optometrist with offices in Turlock and Modesto has entered a guilty plea to committing Medicare fraud to the tune of $550,000, according to the U.S. District Attorney’s Office.

Dr. Carole Sachs, 78, of Delhi pleaded guilty to fraudulently billing Medicare for services that were not performed over the course of four and a half years and totaling $550,000.

 The fraudulent claims included claims for performing ultrasounds and for placing amniotic membranes on patients’ eyes despite the fact that Sachs did not perform these procedures. The fraudulent claims were submitted between November 2016 to February 2021.

Sachs has already paid restitution for the fraud. The optometrist returns to court on March 6, 2023 for sentencing and could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.