VIRGINIA M. HERNANDEZ COVINGTON, District Judge.
This matter comes before the Court pursuant to Defendants' the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services,
On August 11, 2014, this Court truncated the time in which Plaintiff Bayou Shores SNF, LLC, had to file a response in opposition to the Motions, and as a result, Plaintiff had until August 14, 2014, to file a response. (Doc. # 26). Plaintiff filed a response in opposition to the Motions on August 14, 2014. (Doc. # 34). For the reasons stated below, this Court grants Defendants' Motions as this Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction.
Plaintiff is the operator of a skilled nursing facility known as Rehabilitation Center of St. Pete (St. Pete Rehab). (Doc. # 1 at 1). St. Pete Rehab participates in the Medicare and Medicaid programs pursuant to a provider agreement with the United States Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and applicable federal statutes and regulations. (
On July 11, 2014, CMS' Florida survey agency — Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA) — concluded a Recertification and Complaint survey at St. Pete Rehab. (
By letter dated July 14, 2014, AHCA notified St. Pete Rehab that "it was not in compliance with Federal participation requirements for nursing homes participating in the Medicare/Medicaid programs, and alleged that the conditions in the facility constituted immediate jeopardy to resident health and safety." (
St. Pete Rehab submitted its Allegation of Compliance (AOC) on July 17, 2014, detailing the steps taken to remove the immediate jeopardy and alleging that it was in substantial compliance with the requirements of the Medicare and Medicaid programs as of July 18, 2014. (
In addition to the "significant corrective measures implemented as described in [St. Pete Rehab's] AOCs," St. Pete Rehab retained an "independent third-party consulting organization to analyze and assess the sufficiency of the corrective measures taken in connection with the deficiencies identified in the [s]urvey." (
At the conclusion of the assessment, the consultants determined that, based upon their review, including the interventions in place at St. Pete Rehab on July 29 and 30, 2014, St. Pete Rehab was in compliance with the deficiencies identified by the AHCA survey team during the June of 2014, inspection. (
On July 22, 2014, CMS notified St. Pete Rehab that it was "not in substantial compliance with the participation requirements, and that conditions in [St. Pete Rehab] also constituted immediate jeopardy to residents' health and safety and substandard quality of care that was determined to exist on June 21, 2014, and is considered ongoing." (
"St. Pete Rehab has appealed to CMS the determination that it was not in substantial compliance with the alleged deficiencies underlying the termination decision prior to the effective date of the termination." (
Plaintiff initiated this action on August 1, 2014, seeking injunctive relief; specifically, a temporary restraining order, a preliminary injunction, and a permanent injunction to prevent Defendants' threatened termination of St. Pete Rehab's Medicare and Medicaid provider agreement on August 3, 2014. (
Also on August 1, 2014, Plaintiff filed a Motion for Emergency Ex Parte Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunctive Relief. (Doc. # 2). Upon review of the Motion, this Court entered an Order issuing a temporary restraining order for 14 days — until August 15, 2014 — for the purpose of preserving the status quo. (Doc. # 9).
Thereafter, on August 11, 2014, Defendants filed the present Motions contending that dismissal of this action is warranted as this Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction. (Doc. # 22). Plaintiff filed a response in opposition on August 14, 2014. (Doc. # 34). This Court has reviewed the Motions and the response thereto and is otherwise fully advised in the premises.
Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction.
A facial attack on the complaint requires "the court merely to look and see if the plaintiff has sufficiently alleged a basis for subject matter jurisdiction, and the allegations in [the] complaint are taken as true for the purposes of the motion."
In its verified complaint, Plaintiff claims that this Court has jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331, 28 U.S.C. § 1361, 28 U.S.C. § 1651, 42 U.S.C. § 405, 42 U.S.C. § 1395ii, the Court's general equitable powers, and under the Administrative Procedures Act, 5 U.S.C. § 705. (Doc. # 1 at ¶ 15). Defendants contend, however, that this Court has no statutory basis for jurisdiction as Plaintiff must first exhaust its available administrative remedies prior to seeking judicial review challenging Defendants' termination decision. (
The Medicare and Medicaid Acts impose certification and quality of care requirements on nursing facilities.
According to the regulations, when a facility challenges a determination that it is not in substantial compliance with regulations or a termination of its participation in both programs, the facility must seek review of this determination through the Medicare administrative appeals process.
Therefore, claims "arising under" the Medicare statute are subject to clear limitations as to jurisdiction established by Congress.
42 U.S.C. § 405(h), made applicable to the Medicare Act by 42 U.S.C. § 1395ii, provides that § 405(g), to the exclusion of 28 U.S.C. § 1331, is the sole avenue for judicial review for all "claim[s] arising under" the Medicare Act.
In its verified complaint, Plaintiff alleges that this action arises under the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 301, et seq., implicating both the Medicare Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1395, et seq., and the Medicaid Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1396, et seq. (Doc. # 1 at ¶ 14). Therefore, the Court is satisfied that the claims in this action arise under the Medicare and Medicaid Act.
The Medicare Act incorporates two significant provisions of the Social Security Act that deal with judicial review of agency actions. 42 U.S.C. § 1395cc(b)(2) provides that, after the Secretary has determined that a Medicare provider fails to comply substantially with provisions of its provider agreement, or with certain provisions of the Medicare Act or its regulations, the Secretary may terminate the provider agreement:
42 U.S.C. § 1395cc(b)(2).
In turn, 42 U.S.C. § 1395cc(h)(1)(A), provides that an institution dissatisfied with a determination made by the Secretary under 42 U.S.C. § 1395cc(b)(2) is entitled to a hearing to the same extent as provided in 42 U.S.C. § 405(b), "and to judicial review of the Secretary's final decision after such hearing as provided in § 405(g). . . ."
42 U.S.C. § 405(g) provides for an administrative exhaustion requirement as a prerequisite to judicial review:
42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
The second judicial review provision of the Social Security Act incorporated into the Medicare Act is 42 U.S.C. § 405(h). As correctly articulated by Defendants, "the Supreme Court has emphasized that Section 405(h) is a `sweeping and direct' prohibition on federal court actions that have not first been channeled through the administration appeal process." (Doc. # 22 at 6)(citing
The language of 42 U.S.C. § 405(h) states:
42 U.S.C. § 405(h) (emphasis added). The plain language of 42 U.S.C. § 405(h) precludes judicial review of the Secretary's determinations pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) unless its exhaustion requirements are met and further forecloses alternative routes of review under federal question jurisdiction or jurisdiction based on the United States' status as a defendant.
Therefore, as detailed above, federal jurisdiction over any claim "arising under" the Medicare statute is limited to the instance in which the complainant has first presented its challenge to the Secretary, has exhausted its administrative remedies, and then seeks judicial review of the agency's final decision.
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331, "the district courts shall have original jurisdiction of all civil actions arising under the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States."
According to Plaintiff, the exhaustion requirement under the Medicare and Medicaid Acts does not apply when exhaustion would constitute "no review at all" or "the practical equivalent of a total denial of judicial review" for a plaintiff. (Doc. # 34 at 9)(citing
Here, Plaintiff argues that should this Court require Plaintiff to exhaust all administrative remedies prior to seeking judicial review, St. Pete Rehab and its residents will have no review at all before the irreparable harm takes place, after which time any potentially available administrative remedies will have no value. (Doc. # 2 at 8). Furthermore, Plaintiff submits that an administrative finding that St. Pete Rehab reached substantial compliance before August 3, 2014, which comes after the provider agreement has been terminated and residents have been removed from St. Pete Rehab, "will provide little comfort to the families of residents traumatized by an unnecessary and premature transfer to another facility." (
Under these circumstances, therefore, Plaintiff contends that "If the resolution of these claims is postponed until after Plaintiff has exhausted its administrative appeals, or if the termination is not enjoined pending completion of the administrative and judicial review, Plaintiff can have no meaningful review at all because it will not survive the review process." (Doc. # 34 at 10). Thus, the exhaustion requirement would effectively and completely preclude administrative and judicial review of a decision, which it contends is arbitrary and capricious and an abuse of discretion. (Doc. # 2 at 8). Accordingly, as suggested by Plaintiff, the present circumstances fall within the exception to the exhaustion requirements of 42 U.S.C. § 405.
Throughout its numerous arguments, Plaintiff does not dispute that it will receive administrative review of the Secretary's determination that affords a full and fair hearing. Instead, as indicated above, Plaintiff's argument turns on the timing of such a hearing. Specifically, if an administrative hearing is conducted after the termination of the provider agreement, the damage — financial and otherwise — will have already occurred. Therefore, Plaintiff posits that if this Court declines to intervene and maintain the "status quo," and as a result, force Plaintiff to exhaust all administrate remedies, the judicial review provided by 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) amounts to "no review at all." This Court disagrees.
42 U.S.C. § 405(g) provides Plaintiff with an administrative review procedure. Although the Court acknowledges Plaintiff's concerns with the timing in which the Administrative Law Judge will reach the merits of the case, the Court finds it far from "no review at all." To the extent Plaintiff suggests that the review provided by 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) amounts to no review at all as there is potential for St. Pete Rehab to endure a negative financial impact, the Court notes that this argument is mitigated by 42 C.F.R. § 489.55, which provides that Medicare payments for care of residents in a facility at the time of termination continue for up to 30 days following termination. (
Plaintiff further argues that as set forth in
Here, Plaintiff argues that its constitutional due process claims are wholly collateral to the issues raised in the administrative process, as it is not asking the Court to rule on the merits, but rather to issue injunctive relief to maintain the status quo "pending the administrative and judicial review contemplated by statue." (Doc. # 34 at 11).
To bolster its position, Plaintiff cites
In this action, Plaintiff challenges the Secretary's determination to terminate its provider agreement based on Plaintiff's noncompliance with federal standards. Specifically, Plaintiff contends that, subsequent to the Secretary's July 22, 2014, imposition of termination, St. Pete Rehab corrected the deficiencies cited in the June of 2014, survey; thus, according to the independent consultants, it brought itself into substantial compliance. Plaintiff further argues that the Secretary's decision to terminate its provider agreement was arbitrary, capricious, and an abuse of discretion.
Plaintiff has requested an expedited hearing before the Administrative Law Judge to present its position concerning its correction of the cited deficiencies. Nonetheless, according to Defendant, "Plaintiff asks the Court to assume jurisdiction over the very issues set to be heard by the ALJ, including, the issue of when or whether the nursing home operator effectively corrected the most recently cited health and safety violations." (Doc. # 22 at 5). The Court agrees.
Plaintiff's claims presently before this Court are inextricably intertwined with the issues raised in the administrative review process. The relief requested stems from Plaintiff's objections to the Secretary's handling of the survey process; specifically its failure to provide a revisit survey to St. Pete Rehab to determine whether Plaintiff was in substantial compliance with the federal regulations. If this Court was to grant further injunctive relief, it would be required to delve into the merits of this action and consider substantive issues surrounding this case. Namely, whether Defendants provided Plaintiff with the appropriate process prior to termination of its provider agreement. The Court declines to engage in such a determination.
As the Court finds that Plaintiff's claims are inextricably intertwined with the claims before the Administrative Law Judge, the Court declines to determine the second element under
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1361, "the district courts shall have original jurisdiction of any action in the nature of mandamus to compel an officer or employee of the United States or any agency thereof to perform a duty owed to the plaintiff." In its verified complaint, Plaintiff submits that "[t]his action has been filed to compel the Secretary, an officer of the United States, to perform duties owed to St. Pete Rehab, and thus provides a basis for jurisdiction." (Doc. # 2 at 12). Therefore, according to Plaintiff, 42 U.S.C. § 405(h) "does not, on its face, preclude the Court from exercising jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1361." (
The standard for mandamus jurisdiction in the Eleventh Circuit generally requires that "(1) the defendant owes a clear nondiscretionary duty to the plaintiff and (2) the plaintiff has exhausted all other avenues of relief."
Plaintiff argues that without injunctive relief, exhaustion would be futile. (Doc. # 2 at 12). Namely, Plaintiff suggests that even if it is ultimately successful in the administrative process there would be no relief that could remedy the harm that will be caused by the termination. (
However, the Court finds notable that in
To that end, Plaintiffs cannot invoke the extraordinary remedy of mandamus because they have an alternative avenue of relief. "The Medicare Act establishes a comprehensive remedial scheme, providing both administrative hearing rights for aggrieved providers, such as [Plaintiff], and judicial review of the Secretary's final decisions."
According to 5 U.S.C. § 705:
5 U.S.C. § 705. Plaintiff submits that 5 U.S.C. § 705 authorizes a reviewing court to issue injunctive relief to preserve the status quo pending administrative review and, ultimately, to preserve its own judicial review following the administrative process. Here, according to Plaintiff, St. Pete Rehab is seeking to preserve its existence by enjoining the termination and preserving its right to judicial review following an administrative hearing; and therefore, waiver of the exhaustion requirement is appropriate. (
To combat Plaintiff's position, Defendants cite
For the reasons set forth above, the Court concludes that 42 U.S.C. 405(g), with its administrative exhaustion requirement, provides the sole avenue for judicial review of the Secretary's termination determination. Plaintiff has not provided this Court with sufficient support — factual or otherwise — to demonstrate its entitlement to a waiver of the exhaustion requirement. As Plaintiff admittedly has not exhausted all of the available administrative remedies, this Court finds that it lacks subject matter jurisdiction over this action. Thus, Defendants' Motion to Dismiss is granted.
As this Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over this action, the Court dissolves the temporary restraining order issued on August 1, 2014 (Doc. # 9), and as a consequence, denies Plaintiff's request to extend the temporary restraining order (Doc. # 32).
Accordingly, it is now