Petitioner: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, BOARD OF MEDICINE
Respondent: MICHAEL MOYER, M.D.
Judges: J. LAWRENCE JOHNSTON
Agency: Department of Health
Locations: Orlando, Florida
Filed: May 11, 2012
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Tuesday, February 26, 2013.
Latest Update: Dec. 26, 2024
STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,
PETITIONER,
v. CASE NO. 2008-27065
MICHAEL MOYER, M.D.,
RESPONDENT.
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ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
Petitioner, Department of Health, by and through its undersigned
counsel, files this Administrative Complaint before the Board of Medicine
against Respondent, Michael Moyer, M.D., and in support thereof alleges:
1. Petitioner is the state agency charged with regulating the
practice of medicine pursuant to Section 20.43, Florida Statutes; Chapter
456, Florida Statutes; and Chapter 458, Florida Statutes.
2. At all times material to this Complaint, Respondent was a
licensed physician within the state of Florida, having been issued license
number ME 61609.
Filed May 11, 2012 2:03 PM Division of Administrative Hearings
3. | Respondent’s address of record is 7823 Shane Ct., Orlando,
Florida 32822.
4. Respondent is board certified in Family Medicine.
5. On about December 9, 2008, a Costco Pharmacy reported to
the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation (MBI) that Respondent was
inappropriately prescribing excessive amounts of controlled substances to
patients.
6. The MBI conducted an_ investigation of Respondent's
prescribing practices when prescribing controlled substances. At all times
material to this Complaint, Patient KM was a confidential informant in the
MBI investigation.
DEFINITION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES
7. Oxycodone is commonly prescribed to treat pain. According to
Section 893.03(2), Florida Statutes, oxycodone is a Schedule II controlled
substance that has a high potential for abuse and has a currently accepted
but severely restricted medical use in treatment in the United States, and
abuse of oxycodone may lead to severe psychological or physical
dependence.
8. Xanax is the brand name for alprazolam, which is prescribed to
treat anxiety. According to Section 893.03(2), Florida Statutes, alprazolam
is a Schedule IV controlled substance that has a low potential for abuse
relative to the substances in Schedule III and has a currently accepted
medical use in treatment in the United States and abuse of the substance
may lead to limited physical or psychological dependence relative to the
substances in Schedule IIT.
9. Soma is the brand name for carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant
commonly prescribed to treat muscular pain. According to Section
893.03(4), Florida Statutes, carisoprodol is a Schedule IV controlled
substance that has a low potential for abuse relative to the substances in
Schedule III and has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the
United States, and abuse of carisoprodol may lead to limited physical or
psychological dependence relative to the substances in Schedule ITI.
10. Lortab is the brand name for a drug that contains hydrocodone
and is prescribed to treat pain. According to Section 893.03(3), Florida
Statutes, hydrocodone, in the dosages found in Lortab, is a Schedule ITI
controlled substance that has a potential for abuse less than the
substances in Schedules I and II and has a currently accepted medical use
in treatment in the United States. Abuse of the substance may lead to
moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
FACTS SPECIFIC TO PATIENT KM
11. From March 10, 2009, until June 17, 2009, Patient KM
presented to Respondent for treatment for chronic pain.
12. On or about March 10, 2009, Patient KM presented to
Respondent for an initial visit and reported complaints of neck and back
pain, and a history of a fall from a table in 2004. Patient KM also reported
a history of pain management treatment.
13. Respondent conducted an examination of Patient KM.
Respondent performed a straight leg test and the patient denied having
pain in her legs. However, Respondent documented in his medical records
that the patient had ‘mild pain’ in the legs during the straight leg test.
14. Respondent touched the patient’s back and the patient denied
having pain in her back. However, Respondent documented in his records
“cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral tenderness on palpation.”
15. On or about March 10, 2009, Respondent prescribed to Patient
KM Lortab 10/500 mg, 90 tablets and Soma 350 mg, 60 tablets.
16. On or about April 7, 2009, Patient KM presented to Respondent
for a follow-up visit with complaints of neck and back pain. The patient
reported muscle spasms and insomnia. She also reported taking Xanax
from a friend for anxiety. Respondent failed to address the patient's
disclosure that she consumed another patient’s medication.
17. Respondent conducted an examination of Patient KM.
Respondent instructed the patient to touch her toes. When the patient
touched her toes, Respondent said, “Ohh, Man.”
18. Patient KM requested that Respondent write a prescription for
Xanax 30 or 60 tablets in her name. Patient KM also told Respondent that
she did not intend to take the Xanax, rather she intended to give the Xanax
to a friend.
19. Respondent prescribed to Patient KM Lortab 10/500 mg, 90
tablets, Soma 350 mg, 60 tablets and Xanax 2 mg, 30 tablets.
20. On or about May 12, 2009, Patient KM presented to
Respondent for a follow-up visit. LC accompanied Patient KM during the
visit. Patient KM reported complaints of exacerbation of neck and back
pain, muscle spasms, and insomnia.
21. Patient KM also reported that she took a friend’s Oxycodone
and requested a change in her medication to include Oxycodone.
22. Respondent did not address the patient's reported use of
controlled substances which were prescribed to another patient.
23. Patient KM told Respondent that she intended to share any
Xanax prescribed to her with LC. Nonetheless, Respondent prescribed the
Xanax to Patient KM.
24. On or about May 12, 2009, Respondent prescribed to Patient
KM Oxycodone 30 mg, 120 tablets, Xanax 2 mg, 30 tablets, and Soma 350
mg, 60 tablets.
25. On or about June 17, 2009, Patient KM presented to
Respondent for a follow-up visit. She reported complaints of neck and
back pain. Respondent conducted a cursory examination of Patient KM.
26. On or about June 17, 2009, Respondent prescribed to Patient
KM Lortab 10/500 mg, 90 tablets and Soma 350 mg, 60 tablets.
COUNT ONE
27. Petitioner incorporates and realleges paragraph one through
twenty-six as if fully set forth herein.
28. Section 458.331(1)(t)1, Florida Statutes (2008), provides that
committing medical malpractice constitutes grounds for disciplinary action
by the Board of Medicine. Medica! Malpractice is defined in Section 456.50,
Florida Statutes (2008), as the failure to practice medicine in accordance
with the level of care, skill, and treatment recognized in general law related
to health care licensure.
29. For purposes of Section 458.331(1)(t)1, Florida Statutes
(2008), the level of care, skill, and treatment recognized in general law
related to health care licensure means the standard of care specified in
Section 766.102, Florida Statutes (2008), which provides that the prevailing
professional standard of care for a given health care provider shall be that
level of care, skill, and treatment which, in light of all relevant surrounding
circumstances, is recognized as acceptable and appropriate by reasonably
prudent similar health care providers. . . .”
30. Respondent failed to meet the prevailing standard of care by
failing to do one or more of the following:
a. _ By failing to justify prescription of Xanax to Patient KM; and/or
b. By failing to refer the patient for alternative treatment such as
surgical consultation, physical therapy, and massage therapy;
and/or
c. By failing to change Patient KM to a longer acting medication;
and/or
d. By prescribing excessive doses of Oycodone, Xanax and Soma
to Patient KM.
31. Respondent violated Section 458.331(1)(t), Florida Statutes
(2008), by failing to practice medicine with the level of care of a reasonably
prudent similar physician as being acceptable under similar conditions and
circumstances in the treatment of Patient KM.
COUNT TWO
32. Petitioner realleges and incorporates paragraphs one through
twenty-six as if fully set forth herein.
33. Section 458.331(1)(q), Florida Statutes (2008), subjects a
licensee to discipline, including suspension, for prescribing, dispensing,
administering, mixing, or otherwise preparing a legend drug, including any
controlled substance, other than in the course of the physician's
professional practice. For purposes of this paragraph, it shall be legally
presumed that prescribing, dispensing, administering, mixing, or otherwise
preparing legend drugs, including all controlled substances, inappropriately
or in excessive or inappropriate quantities is not in the best interest of the
patient and is not in the course of the physician’s professional practice,
without regard to his intent.
34. Respondent prescribed, dispensed, or otherwise prepared a
legend drug, other than in the course of his professional practice, by
inappropriately and: excessively prescribing Oxycodone, Soma and Xanax to
Patient KM as alleged herein.
35. Based on the forgoing, Respondent violated Section
458.331(1)(q), Florida Statutes (2008), when he prescribed, any controlled
substance, other than in the course of his professional practice by
inappropriately and excessively prescribing the controlled substances as set
forth in the table above.
COUNT THREE
36. Petitioner incorporates and realleges paragraphs one through
twenty-six as if fully set forth herein.
37. Section 458.331(1)(m), Florida Statutes (2008), subjects a
licensee to discipline for failing to keep legible, as defined by department
rule in consultation with the board, medical records that identify the
licensed physician or the physician extender and supervising physician by
name and professional title who is or are responsible for rendering,
ordering, supervising, or billing for each diagnostic or treatment procedure
and that justify the course of treatment of the patient, including, but not
limited to, patient histories; examination results; test results; records of
drugs prescribed, dispensed, or administered; and reports of consultations
and hospitalizations.
38. Respondent failed to maintain medical records that justified the
course of treatment for Patient KM as follows:
a. By documenting that Patient KM had pain on occasions
when the patient denied pain; and/or
b. By prescribing Xanax and failing to document justification
for the prescription; and/or
c. By failing to document the medical records to support
prescription of Oxycodone, Xanax and Soma to Patient
KM.
39. On or about the dates set forth above, Respondent violated
Section 458.331(1)(m), Florida Statutes (2008), by failing to maintain
medical records to justify the treatment for Patient KM.
WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests that the Board of
Medicine enter an order imposing one or more of the following penalties:
permanent revocation or suspension of Respondent's license, restriction of
practice, imposition of an administrative fine, issuance of a reprimand,
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placement of Respondent on probation, corrective action, refund of fees
billed or collected, remedial education and/or any other relief that the
Board deems appropriate.
signe this (4 — day of _(InZele~ 2011.
FILE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
DEPUTY CLERK
CLERK Angel Sanders
DATE @CT 17 ont
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PCP: October 14, 2011
PCP Members: El Sanadi, Levine
H. Frank Farmer, Jr, MD, PhD, FACP
State Surgeon General
Y. Green, Esq.
Assistant General Counsel
DOH Prosecution Services Unit
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-65
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3265
Florida Bar # 0738115
(850) 245-4640, Ext. 8128
(850) 245-4681 FAX
DOH v. Michael Moyer, M.D., Case Number 2008-27065
11
DOH v. Michael Moyer, M.D. CASE NO. 2008-27065
NOTICE OF RIGHTS
Respondent has the right to request a hearing to be conducted in
accordance with Section 120.569 and 120.57, Florida Statutes, to be
represented by counsel or other qualified representative, to present
evidence and argument, to call and cross-examine witnesses and to have
subpoena and subpoena duces tecum issued on his or her behalf if a
hearing is requested.
NOTICE REGARDING ASSESSMENT OF COSTS
Respondent is placed on notice that Petitioner has incurred costs
related to the investigation and prosecution of this matter. Pursuant to
Section 456.072(4), Florida Statutes, the Board shall assess costs related to
the investigation and prosecution of a disciplinary matter, which may
include attorney hours and costs, on the Respondent in addition to any
other discipline imposed.
12
Docket for Case No: 12-001668PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Feb. 26, 2013 |
Order Closing Files and Relinquishing Jurisdiction. CASE CLOSED.
|
Feb. 25, 2013 |
Response to Order to Show Cause and Motion to Relinquish Jurisdiction filed.
|
Feb. 13, 2013 |
Order to Show Cause.
|
Jan. 14, 2013 |
Order Continuing Cases in Abeyance (parties to advise status by March 15, 2013).
|
Jan. 14, 2013 |
Joint Status Report filed.
|
Nov. 13, 2012 |
Order Continuing Case in Abeyance (parties to advise status by January 14, 2013).
|
Nov. 13, 2012 |
Joint Status Report filed.
|
Sep. 17, 2012 |
Order Continuing Cases in Abeyance (parties to advise status by November 13, 2012).
|
Sep. 14, 2012 |
Status Report filed.
|
Jul. 16, 2012 |
Order Continuing Case in Abeyance (parties to advise status by September 14, 2012).
|
Jul. 16, 2012 |
Status Report filed.
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May 17, 2012 |
Order Placing Cases in Abeyance (parties to advise status by July 16, 2012).
|
May 17, 2012 |
Order of Consolidation (DOAH Case Nos. 12-1668PL, 12-1669PL, and 12-1670PL).
|
May 16, 2012 |
Motion to Hold Case in Abeyance filed.
|
May 16, 2012 |
Notice of Appearance (Richard Brooderson) filed.
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May 15, 2012 |
Initial Order.
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May 11, 2012 |
Notice of Appearance (Yolonda Green) filed.
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May 11, 2012 |
Agency referral filed.
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May 11, 2012 |
Election of Rights filed.
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May 11, 2012 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
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