Petitioner: COMMCARE PHARMACY, INC.
Respondent: AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
Judges: MICHAEL M. PARRISH
Agency: Agency for Health Care Administration
Locations: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Filed: Jun. 01, 2001
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Wednesday, November 26, 2003.
Latest Update: Dec. 23, 2024
STATE OF FLORIDA FILE
AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION AGENCY FOR
HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
COMMCARE PHARMACY, INC., DEPUTY CLERK
Petitioner, M m /)- “losa OG Sond
CASE NO. 01-2172
PROVIDER NO. 103994600
STATE OF FLORIDA,
AUDIT C.I. NO. 00-0955-000-3
AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE Rendition No. AHCA-04-062S-MBO
ADMINISTRATION, TAL oS
vs.
Respondent.
/
FINAL ORDER
Gil id Of
THE PARTIES resolved all disputed issues and executed a Settlement
Agreement. The parties are directed to comply with the terms of the attached
settlement agreement. Based on the foregoing, this file is CLOSED.
dh
DONE and ORDERED on this the Yb ‘day of TA ieuroeeg , 2004 in
Tallahassee, Florida.
Mavlef
fi Rhonda Medows, MD, Secretary
Agency for Health Care Administration
A PARTY WHO IS ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THIS FINAL ORDER IS
ENTITLED TO A JUDICIAL REVIEW WHICH SHALL BE INSTITUTED BY
FILING ONE COPY OF A NOTICE OF APPEAL WITH THE AGENCY CLERK OF
AHCA, AND A SECOND COPY ALONG WITH FILING FEE AS PRESCRIBED BY
LAW, WITH THE DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL IN THE APPELLATE DISTRICT
WHERE THE AGENCY MAINTAINS ITS HEADQUARTERS OR WHERE A PARTY
RESIDES. REVIEW PROCEEDINGS SHALL BE CONDUCTED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE FLORIDA APPELLATE RULES. THE NOTICE OF
APPEAL MUST BE FILED WITHIN 30 DAYS OF RENDITION OF THE ORDER
TO BE REVIEWED.
Copies furnished to:
L. William Porter I], Esquire
Agency for Health Care
Administration
(Interoffice Mail)
James. M. Barclay, Esquire
Ruden, McClosky, Smith, Schuster
& Russell, P.A.
215 S. Monroe Street, Suite 815
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
(U.S. Mail)
Michael Parrish
Administrative Law Judge
Division of Administrative Hearings
The DeSoto Building
1230 Apalachee Parkway
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060
Tim Byrnes, Chief, Medicaid Program Integrity
4
JoAnn Jackson ledicaid Program Integrityc’ \
John Hoover, Finance and Accounting
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
1 HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing has
been furnished to the above named addressees by U.S. Mail on this the OQday
of den ICE uf ; 2004
qolaabial McCharen, a -)
(TOE ene Clerk
State of Florida
Agency for Health Care Administration
2727 Mahan Drive, Building #3
Tallahassee, Florida 32308-5403
(850) 922-5873
LONBASINIUIpPY 2329
Yeap 30) Aquaby
STATE OF FLORIDA
DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS [002 2} 250
TaSNNDD TWuANID
COMMCARE PHARMACY, INC, Q3SAIW034Y
Petitioner,
DOAH CASE NO: 01-2172
Vv.
AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE
ADMINISTRATION,
Respondent.
/
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
STATE OF FLORIDA, AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
(“AHCA” or “the Agency”), and Commeare Pharmacy, Inc. (“PROVIDER”), by and through the
undersigned, hereby stipulate and agree as follows:
1. This Agreement is entered into between the parties for the purpose of resolving
the disputes between them and avoiding the costs, burdens, and uncertainties of further litigation.
Neither party concedes the other’s position.
2. PROVIDER is a Medicaid provider in the State of Florida, provider number
103994600 and was a provider during the audit period.
3. Pursuant to its final agency audit report (the “Final Agency Action”), dated April
9, 2001, AHCA alleged that the Medicaid Program had paid PROVIDER $754,330.00 to which
it was not entitled during a seventeen (17) month period, J uly 24, 1998 through January 21, 2000
(the “Audit Period”). In response to the audit letter dated April 9, 2001, PROVIDER filed a
petition for a formal administrative hearing, which was assigned DOAH Case No. 01-2172.
TAL:46021:1
_ COMMCARE PHARMACY, INC.
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
4. Subsequent to this Final Agency Action, PROVIDER forwarded large volumes of
documentation (on multiple occasions) to the AHCA for additional review. After those reviews,
the final agency calculation of the alleged overpayment was adjusted to $143,069.00 for
prescription review violations and $134,012.00 in inventory shortage violations, a total alleged
overpayment of $277,081.00 (a $477,249.00 adjustment in the amount of this alleged
overpayment). After being notified of these adjustments, the PROVIDER obtained further
documentation from duly licensed and authorized pharmaceutical suppliers, which also was
submitted to AHCA for its review. As a result of these multiple re-reviews and adjustments,
AHCA’s current position is that the amount of this alleged overpayment should be again adjusted
to $27,729.81. In addition, AHCA is seeking to have the PROVIDER reimburse the government
its costs associated with this appeal; which, in the interests of settling this matter as expeditiously
and economically as possible, the PROVIDER is not challenging.
5. Given the adjusted overpayment amounts, and in order to resolve this manner as
expeditiously and economically as possible, PROVIDER and the AHCA expressly agree as
follows:
(1) AHCA agrees to accept the payment set forth herein in settlement of the
alleged overpayment issues arising from the MPI review.
(2) Within thirty days of receipt of the final order, PROVIDER agrees to make
a lump sum payment of twenty seven thousand seven hundred twenty nine
dollars and eighty one cents ($27,729.81) for the overpayment plus fifteen
thousand dollars ($15,000.00) for investigative costs for a total of forty
two thousand seven hundred twenty nine dollars and eighty one cents
($42,729.81) in full and complete settlement of all claims in the
TAL:46021:1 2
COMMCARE PHARMACY, INC.
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
proceedings before the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH Case
No. 01-2172). AHCA retains the right to perform a 6-month follow-up
review under the Florida Statutes as of the date of the review.
(3) PROVIDER and AHCA agree that full payment as set forth above will
resolve and settle this case completely and release both parties from all
liabilities arising from the findings in the audit referenced as CI. 00-0955-
000-3.
(4) PROVIDER agrees that it will not rebill the Medicaid Program in any
manner for claims that were not covered by Medicaid, which are the
subject of the audit in this case.
6. Payment shall be made to:
AGENCY FOR HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATION
Medicaid Accounts Receivable
Post Office Box 13749
Tallahassee, Florida 32317-3749
7. PROVIDER agrees that failure to pay any monies due and owing under the terms
of this Settlement Agreement shall constitute PROVIDER’S authorization for the Agency, to
withhold the total remaining amount due under the terms of this Settlement Agreement from any
monies due and owing to PROVIDER for any Medicaid claims.
8. Each party reserves the right to enforce this Settlement Agreement under the laws
of the State of Florida, the duly promulgated and published rules of the Medicaid Program, and
all other applicable rules and regulations.
TAL:46021:1 3
COMMCARE PHARMACY, INC.
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
9. This Settlement Agreement does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing or
error by either party with respect to this case or any other matter. Moreover, this Settlement
Agreement shall not be construed as an admission of, evidence of or acknowledgment that
PROVIDER, its officers, directors, managers, or employees knew, should have known, acted in
deliberate ignorance of, or acted with deliberate disregard for the truth or falsity of any claims or
other data AHCA may maintain support its overpayment allegations set forth in either the audit
referenced as CI 00-0955-000-3 or its pleadings in this matter.
10. Each party shall bear its own attorneys’ fees and costs, if any.
11. The signatories to this Settlement Agreement, acting in a representative capacity,
represent that they are duly authorized to enter into this Settlement Agreement on behalf of the
respective parties.
12. This Settlement Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the provisions
of the laws of Florida. Venue for any action arising from this Settlement Agreement shall be in
Leon County, Florida.
13. This Settlement Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between PROVIDER
and the AHCA, including anyone acting for, associated with or employed by them, concerning all
matters and supersedes any prior discussions, agreements or understandings; there are no
promises, representations or agreements between PROVIDER and the AHCA other than as set
forth herein. No modification or waiver of any provision shall be valid unless a written
amendment to the Settlement Agreement is completed and properly executed by both parties.
TAL:46021:1 4
COMMCARE PHARMACY, INC.
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
14. This is an agreement of settlement and compromise, made in recognition that the
parties may have different or incorrect understandings, information and contentions, as to facts
and law, and with each party compromising and settling any potential correctness or
incorrectness of its understandings, information and contentions as to facts and law, so that no
misunderstanding or misinformation shall be a ground for rescission hereof.
15. | PROVIDER expressly waives in this matter its right to any hearing pursuant to
sections 120.569 or 120.57, Florida Statutes, the making of findings of fact and conclusions of
law by the Agency, and all further and other proceedings to which it may be entitled by law or
tules of the Agency regarding this proceeding and any and all issues raised herein. PROVIDER
further agrees that it shall not challenge or contest any Final Order entered in this matter which is
consistent with the terms of this settlement agreement in any forum now or in the future available
to it, including the right to any administrative proceeding, circuit or federal court action or any
appeal.
16. This Settlement Agreement is and shall be deemed jointly drafted and written by
all parties to it and shall not be construed or interpreted against either party as the originator,
drafter or proponent of any provision hereto.
17. To the extent that any provision of this Settlement Agreement is determined bya
court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable or otherwise prohibited by law, that provision
shall be effective only to the extent it is enforceable or otherwise not prohibited, and such
unenforceability or prohibition shall not affect any other provision of this Settlement Agreement.
18. This Settlement Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding on each of
the parties, as well as their successors, assigns, heirs, administrators, representatives and trustees.
19. All times stated herein are of the essence in this Settlement Agreement.
TAL:46021:1 5
COMMCARE PHARMACY, INC.
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
20. This Settlement Agreement shali be in full force and effect upon execution by the
respective parties in counterpart.
COMMCARE PHARMACY, INC.
le Lnteald, Date: (24/02
Lombard’
BY:
rint name)
ITS: fro siceok
THE AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
et — 7 date_//94/o4
; 4
Acting Inspector General
Sitee Lid CE Date: / LE Joey
Valda Clark Christian
General Counsel
‘ s a
i oe [Zz ~[> -O3
L. Witiam Porter II
Assistant General Counsel
TAL:46021:1 6
* 9878476113710 FAX 3053728795 ZUCKERMAN SPAEDEK LLY queve
{ STATE OF FLORIDA
e “Seéeident
Gomméavé Pharmacy, Inc.
2817 East Oakland Park Blvd.
Suite 301 ©
33306
ida
> AGENCY goin BaPORT
_ 00-0955-000-3/H/IDI
: th aré Administration hes determined that you have |
“overpaid $754,330.00 in connection with claims submitted’ t'
Medicaid during the audit period specified. This conclusio
terminations were Wade in accorda
e provisions “Of Chapter 409, Florida Statutes (F. S.J.:
lapter 596,” Florida Administrative Code (F. A.C.). In
Foe eee aeS Ara ea eae providers are Yequired t “fellow. the
ites; Medicaid provider handb
statem eg of onedicaid policy, and federal laws and.
“Medicaid Cannot properly pay for claims that do not
~Medicaic requirements: When a provider receives pa
i vis3ons « those funds must be repa
SEvIEW DETERMINAT ons
. whe é audit included a statistical analysis of a random ‘sampling,
% “SCR the results applied to the random Sample universe ‘of claims
ces submitted @uring the audit period. The audit period for thi :
from July 24, 1938, through January 21, 2000.
tified an overpayment | of $215,022.30. The ae
2727 Mahan Derive » Mail Stap #6
Gsbassee- FL 32308
05/04/01 13:10 FAX 3053729795 _ ZUCKERMAN SPABDEK Lu a
: . Peter Lombardi, President ~
fhesaan® Page 2
of the overpayment . Attached are the overpay
“s calculations, a summary of documented discrepancies, and an 2
itemized ‘listing of discrepancies noted in the review of the | yandom
sample. rs
product aéquisitions with your paid Medicaid claims. - The
period for this review was from January 1, 1999, throw
December 31, 1999. The drug quantity billed to Medicaid
- instances, exceeded the qmantity available to dispens
;reci ipients.
té you oe or concur with these ‘findings, please ‘Sena your
_Sheck in the amount of $754,330.00, for the identified . a
ayment, madé payable to the Florida Agency for Healt: ec
h Care Administration
i a Accounts Receivable
iv) “?Po"ensure propex “Stedit, be sure that™
mactabet hr ad number is shown on your check. Questions
¥ding” payment” should be ‘directed to Ms. Willie”
“429
8 eh
You have the rig t to request a for
Ps tO" oats on 120° 7569, F.s.
‘eas Dann ani
hearing is m t the request ox petition must be x
' wenty-one (21) days “of receipt of this letter.
timely request a hearing shall ‘be déemed a waiver oF:
to. a hearing.
0576 4701 | is: 10 FAX 3053729795 ZUCKERMAN SPAEDEK LLP wave
Peter Lombardi, President . .
Page 3 27
2
ebsee caps oa : ee De cwtlen enw, © te . . : Ls
4
re It is important that a request for an informal hearing oO
petition for a formal hearing be sant only to the folrlor
address:
Mr. Charles
“Medicaid Program Integrity
_ Of Eice of the Inspector General
“Agency for Health Care Administration
2727 Mahan Drive, Mail Stop # 6
Tallahassee, ‘Florida 32308-5403
io Hot send véquests ‘Or “petitions to any other address :
shearing request is not received within 21 days from the date of
“veébipt of this letter, the right to such hearing is we
: tit of the above-stipulated overpayment will.bBe
ayepie at the end of that 21-day period.
reO£f the eiSencee Gefieral, 2727 Mahan Drive, Mail oes # a
‘Pallahassee, Florida 32308-5403, telephone number (850) 9
L__prégram ‘Administra
e Medicaid Program
siete aearese : = eviiis eT ce sie :
Program Ta ntegrity, See Section
caid Accounts ‘Reééivable, Attn: Willie Bivens’
“est itage’ Information Systems, Inés :
Medicaid Program Development, Pharmacy Services
Besa Medicaid. Office
Martin 1. "Ka
~ CNHeritage Audits\CommeareAAL
Docket for Case No: 01-002172MPI
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Jan. 30, 2004 |
Final Order filed.
|
Nov. 26, 2003 |
Order Closing File. CASE CLOSED.
|
Nov. 24, 2003 |
Agreed Status Report filed by Petitioner.
|
Sep. 22, 2003 |
Order Continuing Case in Abeyance (parties to advise status by November 24, 2003).
|
Sep. 18, 2003 |
Status Report and Agreed Motion for Abeyance (filed by Respondent via facsimile).
|
Sep. 17, 2003 |
Notice of Cancellation of Deposition, N. Saraniti filed.
|
Sep. 10, 2003 |
Notice of Deposition, N. Saraniti (filed via facsimile).
|
Aug. 25, 2003 |
Offer of Judgment by Commcare Pharmacy, Inc. filed.
|
Jul. 18, 2003 |
Order Continuing Case in Abeyance (parties to advise status by September 18, 2003).
|
Jul. 17, 2003 |
Status Report and Agree Motion for Abeyance (filed by Respondent via facsimile).
|
Jun. 04, 2003 |
Order Continuing Case in Abeyance issued (parties to advise status by July 14, 2003).
|
May 27, 2003 |
Status Report and Agreed Motion for Abeyance (filed by Respondent via facsimile).
|
Mar. 27, 2003 |
Order Continuing Case in Abeyance issued (parties to advise status by May 26, 2003).
|
Mar. 17, 2003 |
Agreed Status Report (filed by Petitioner via facsimile).
|
Jan. 16, 2003 |
Order Continuing Case in Abeyance issued (parties to advise status by February 17, 2003).
|
Jan. 06, 2003 |
Agreed Status Report filed by J. Barclay.
|
Nov. 04, 2002 |
Order Continuing Case in Abeyance issued (parties to advise status by January 3, 2003).
|
Oct. 31, 2002 |
Agreed Status Report filed by J. Barclay.
|
Oct. 04, 2002 |
Order Continuing Case in Abeyance issued (parties to advise status by October 31, 2002).
|
Sep. 30, 2002 |
Agreed Status Report filed by Petitioner.
|
Aug. 12, 2002 |
Order Continuing Case in Abeyance issued (parties to advise status by September 30, 2002).
|
Aug. 06, 2002 |
Status Report and Agreed Motion for Abeyance (filed via facsimile).
|
Jun. 11, 2002 |
Order Continuing Case in Abeyance issued (parties to advise status by August 9, 2002).
|
Jun. 10, 2002 |
Staus Report and Agreed Motion for Abeyance (filed by Petitioner via facsimile).
|
Apr. 10, 2002 |
Order Continuing Case in Abeyance issued (parties to advise status by June 10, 2002).
|
Apr. 10, 2002 |
Status Report and Agreed Motion for Abeyance (filed by Petitioner via facsimile).
|
Jan. 10, 2002 |
Order Granting Continuance and Placing Case in Abeyance issued (parties to advise status by April 10, 2002).
|
Jan. 10, 2002 |
Notice of Appearance and Unopposed Motion to Reschedule Hearing (filed by J. Barclay via facsimile).
|
Jan. 09, 2002 |
Agreed Motion to Cancel Formal Hearing and to Abate for at Least 90 Days filed by Petitioner.
|
Oct. 05, 2001 |
Order Granting Continuance and Re-scheduling Hearing issued (hearing set for February 7 and 8, 2002; 9:00 a.m.; Fort Lauderdale, FL).
|
Oct. 03, 2001 |
Notice of Appearance and Unopposed Motion to Reschedule Hearing (filed by Petitioner via facsimile).
|
Jul. 05, 2001 |
Agency`s Response to Petitioner`s Request to Produce (filed via facsimile).
|
Jun. 18, 2001 |
Notice of Hearing issued (hearing set for October 17 and 18, 2001; 9:00 a.m.; Fort Lauderdale, FL).
|
Jun. 14, 2001 |
Notice of Service of Interrogatories filed by Respondent.
|
Jun. 14, 2001 |
Respondent`s First Request for Admissions filed.
|
Jun. 14, 2001 |
Respondent`s First Request for Production of Documents filed.
|
Jun. 13, 2001 |
Joint Response to Initial Order (filed via facsimile).
|
Jun. 04, 2001 |
Initial Order issued.
|
Jun. 01, 2001 |
Petition for Formal Administrative Hearing filed.
|
Jun. 01, 2001 |
Final Agency Audit Report filed.
|
Jun. 01, 2001 |
Notice (of Agency referral) filed.
|