Petitioner: LOUIS F. LADSON, JR., R.PH., D/B/A LINCOURT PHARMACY
Respondent: AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
Judges: ROBERT E. MEALE
Agency: Agency for Health Care Administration
Locations: Tampa, Florida
Filed: May 21, 2001
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Monday, July 30, 2001.
Latest Update: Jan. 11, 2025
STATE OF FLORIDA
LINCOURT PHARMACY
AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRAHQM,
FILED
GaENCY FOR
RE ADMINIST
DEPUTY CLERK RATION
Petitioner, DAT!
vs.
STATE OF FLORIDA
CASE NO. 01-1966MPI /<
AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE
ADMINISTRATION
err |
PROVIDER NO. 102009900 ?
AUDIT C.I. NO. 00-1061-000- 3¢,
>
Respondent
/
RENDITION NO.: AHCA-04- c2b3s
FINAL ORDER
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
_o
DONE and ORDERED on this the _//~ day of _ “74 2004
in Tallahassee, Florida.
fo Mary Pat Moore, te 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 II, Esquire
Agency for Health Care
Administration
(Interoffice Mail)
Marcos Hasbun, Esquire
Zuckerman Spaeder LLP
101 E. Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 1200
Tampa, Florida 33602-5838
(U.S. Mail)
Robert Meale
Administrative Law Judge
Division of Administrative Hearings
The DeSoto Building
1230 Apalachee Parkway
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060
Tim Byrnes, Chief, Medicaid Program Integrity
JoAnn JacksSay Mecicaid Program Integrity
John Hoover, Finance and Accounting
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
| HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing has
b rnished to the above named addressees by U.S. Mail on this the Z day
fo) , 2004.
o2 Lealand
Agency Clerk
State of Florida
Agency for Health Care Administration
2727 Mahan Drive, Building #3
Tallahassee, Florida 32308-5403
(850) 922-5873
STATE OF FLORIDA we Lay 24 PH 2:23
DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS &* ©
LINCOURT PHARMACY, AL ‘
Petitioner,
vs. CASE NO. 01-1966
PROVIDER NO. 102009900
STATE OF FLORIDA,
AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE
ADMINISTRATION,
Respondent.
/
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
STATE OF FLORIDA, AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
(“AHCA” or “the Agency”), and Lincourt Pharmacy (“PROVIDER”), by and through the
undersigned, hereby stipulate and agree as follows:
1. This Settlement Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into between AHCA and
PROVIDER, and its predecessors and successors, for the purpose of completely resolving this
administrative dispute between them under C.I. No. 00-1061-000-3/H/GWM, and avoiding costs
and burdens of further litigation. Neither party concedes the other’s position.
2. At the times material to the audit, which is the subject of this agreement,
PROVIDER was a Medicaid provider in the State of Florida, provider number 102009900.
3. In its Final Agency Audit Report (final agency action) dated April 6, 2001 (C.I.
No. 00-1061-000-3/H/GWM), AHCA notified PROVIDER that review of Medicaid claims
performed by Medicaid Program Integrity (‘MPI’), Office of the AHCA Inspector General,
indicated certain claims, in whole or in part, had been inappropriately paid by Medicaid. A copy
of the April 6, 2001 Final Agency Report (C.I. No. 00-1061-000-3/H/GWM) is attached hereto
Lincourt Pharmacy
Settlement Agreement
as Exhibit “A”. In particular, AHCA alleged that Medicaid had overpaid PROVIDER on a
judgmental sample review and a separate statistical analysis of a random sampling of claims
submitted during the audit period, which was from September 28, 1998 through March 24, 2000.
AHCA also alleged that the drug quantity billed to Medicaid for certain drugs exceeded the
quantity available to dispense to Medicaid recipients from January 1, 1999 through March 24,
2000, which also resulted in an alleged overpayment to PROVIDER. To resolve the audit,
AHCA initially sought recoupment of a total overpayment in the amount of $977,883.08. In
response to the audit letter dated April 6, 2001, PROVIDER filed a petition for a formal
administrative hearing, which was assigned DOAH Case No. 01-1966.
4. Subsequent to the original audit and in preparation for trial, AHCA re-reviewed
the PROVIDER’s claims and evaluated additional documentation submitted by the PROVIDER.
As a result, AHCA determined that the alleged total overpayment should be adjusted to
$506,064.60. After further review of additional documentation, the overpayment was adjusted to
$247,574.31, with an investigative cost assessment of $22,000.00, for a total of $269,574.31. In
the interest of settling this matter as expeditiously and economically as possible, PROVIDER is
not challenging the cost assessment.
5. In order to resolve this matter without further administrative proceedings,
PROVIDER and AHCA expressly agree as follows:
(1) AHCA agrees to accept the payment set forth herein in settlement of the
overpayment and investigative costs issues arising from the MPI review and re-
reviews.
Lincourt Pharmacy
Settlement Agreement
(2) Within thirty (30) days of receipt of entry of the Final Order, PROVIDER
agrees to make a lump sum payment of one hundred thousand dollars
($100,000.00) and the balance of one hundred sixty nine thousand five hundred
seventy four dollars and thirty one cents ($169,574.31) for a total of two hundred
sixty nine thousand five hundred seventy four dollars and thirty one cents
($269,574.31) plus 10% interest per year to be made in six (6) equal monthly
payments, as set forth in the Amortization Schedule attached hereto as Exhibit
“B”, in full and complete settlement of the administrative dispute under the audit
referenced C.I. No. 00-1061-000-3/H/GWM and in connection with the
proceedings before the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH Case No. 01-
1966). No pre-payment penalty shall apply should PROVIDER make accelerated
payments to be applied to the principal balance of $169,574.31.
(3) PROVIDER and AHCA agree that full payment as set forth above will
resolve and settle this case, without either party conceding their position and will
completely release both parties from all administrative liabilities arising from the
findings in the audit referenced as C.I. No. 00-1061-000-3/H/GWM. PROVIDER
and AHCA agree that full payment as set forth above will release both parties
from any and all civil claims, demands, and liabilities, whether arising in law or
equity, contract, or statute, arising from the findings in the audit referenced as C.I.
No. 00-1061-000-3/H/GWM.
Lincourt Pharmacy
Settlement Agreement
7.
(4) PROVIDER agrees that it will not rebill the Medicaid Program in any
mnanner for claims that were not covered by Medicaid, which are the subject of the
audit in this case. AHCA retains the right to perform a 6-month follow-up
review. PROVIDER does not waive any rights 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, including the right to challenge the
findings of any follow-up review or audit.
(5) The parties agree this settlement represents no finding concerning
intentional fraud or abuse of the Medicaid program, but is rather a method of
settling the administrative dispute between them.
Payment shall be made to:
AGENCY FOR HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATION
Medicaid Accounts Receivable
Post Office Box 13749
Tallahassee, Florida 32317-3749
PROVIDER agrees that failure to pay any monies due and owing under the terms
of this Agreement shall constitute PROVIDER’S authorization for the Agency, without further
notice, to withhold the total remaining amount due under the terms of this agreement from any
monies due and owing to PROVIDER for any Medicaid claims.
8.
AHCA and PROVIDER each reserves the right to enforce this 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.
9.
This settlement does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing or error by either
party with respect to this case or any other matter. Moreover, this Agreement shall not be
construed as an admission, finding or acknowledgment that PROVIDER, its predecessors,
Lincourt Pharmacy
Settlement Agreement
successors, officers, directors, managers, owners, or employees knew, or 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 as support for its overpayment allegations set forth in
either the audit referenced as C.I. No. 00-1061-000-3/H/GWM or any of its communications or
pleadings in this administrative matter.
10. Each party shall bear its own attorneys’ fees and costs, if any.
11. The signatories to this Agreement, acting in a representative capacity, represent
that they are duly authorized to enter into this Agreement on behalf of the respective parties.
12. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the provisions of the laws
of Florida. Venue for any action arising from this Agreement shall be in Leon County, Florida.
13. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between PROVIDER and
AHCA, and shall inure to the benefit of PROVIDER’s predecessors, successors, officers,
directors, managers, owners and employees concerning all matters, and supersedes any prior
discussions, agreements or understandings; there are no promises, representations or agreements
between PROVIDER and AHCA other than as set forth herein. No modification or waiver of
any provision shall be valid unless a written amendment to the Agreement is completed and
properly executed by the parties.
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.
Lincourt Pharmacy
Settlement Agreement
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
rules 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 Agreement is and shall be deemed jointly drafted and written by all parties to
it and shall not be construed or interpreted against the party originating or preparing it.
17. To the extent that any provision of this Agreement is determined by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable or otherwise prohibited by law for any reason, such
provision shall be effective only to the extent it is enforceable or otherwise not prohibited, and
such enforceability or such prohibition shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement.
18. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding on each party’s
predecessors, successors, assigns, heirs, administrators, representatives and trustees; payment of
the amounts due under this Agreement are solely the responsibility of the PROVIDER named as
Petitioner.
19. All times stated herein are of the essence of this Agreement.
Lincourt Pharmacy
Settlement Agreement
20. This Agreement shall be in full force and effect upon execution by the respective
parties in counterpart.
LINCOURT PHARMACY
Dated: 7 Ay , 2004
BY:
~ LOUIS F. F. LADSON, JR.
ITs:
Ga
AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE
ADMINISTRATION
2727 Mahan Drive, Mail Stop #3
Tallahassee, FL 32308-5403
es, Dated: LRT 1], 2004
Janfés D. Boyd
Inspector General
iN
4, Al hk §s Dated: Hil, J 2004
Valda Clark Christian Z
Yi Counsel
Mo- F— Dated: 4/ v- , 2004
L. Wi Porter IT
Assistant General Counsel
vavees Ub AUG L000 FAA OLoeeutDuL
Pn es
7
2916 E
t
‘gui
STATE OF FLORIDA
rye iy
’ ty ED
GENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION 9 2 Py
JGB BUSH, GOVERNOR auaen ». Kinase iy ij Lepage f: 3/
F NE I pe
April 6, 2001 ARMA r lye
Wg TL
CERTZFIED MAID - RETURN RECEZET : 7000 0600 0023 5447 a
provider No. 1020099 00
License No. pHo008725
Louis Ladson, R.Ph., Pharmacy Manager REC FIVE D Aya
Lincourt Phaxmacy, Inc. .
501 South Lincoln Avenve .
Clearwater, Florida 33756 . APR 24 2001
MEDICAID PROGRAM
Rt FINAL AGENCY AUDIT REPORT INTEGRITY
C.I. No, 00-1061-000-3/H/GWi
Dear Mr. Ladson:
An on-site audit of your pharmacy was initiated on May 30, 2000.
Tha Florida Medicaid Program through the Agency for Health Care
Administration has determined that you have been overpaid
$977,883.08 in connection with claims submitted to Medicaid
during the audit period(s) specified. This conclusion is
supported by -the audit results. .
This review and the geterminations were made in accor@ance with
the provisions of Chapter 409, Florida Statutes (F.S.), and .
Chapter $9G, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). In applying
for Medicaid reimbursement, providers are required to follow the
applicable statutes, rules. Medicaid provider handbooks,
statements of Medicaid policy, and federal laws and regulations.
Medicaid cannot properly pay for claims that do not meet
Medicaid requixements. When a provider receives payment in
violation of these provisions, those funds must be repaid.
REVIEW DETERMINATIONS
The audit included a judgmental sample yeview and a separate
statistical analysis of a random sampling with the results applied
to tha random sample universe of claims submitted during the audit
period. The audit period for this review was from
September 28, 1998, through March 24, 2000. - This review identified
an overpayment of 977,983.08. The actual overpayment was
calculated using 4 procedure that has been proven valid an@ is
deemed admissible in administrative and law courts as evidence of
the overpayment - Attached are the overpayment calculations, a
2727 Mohan Drive © Mail Stop F G
Tatiehassec. FL 32308
x, a
iteers! Visir ANCA Online at
MF www.fdkasrate fi.us
/
XHIBIT "AT
al OD
vas
Lincourt Pharmacy
Page 2
gummary of documented discrepancies, and an itemized listing of
discrepancies noted in the review of the judgmental and xrandem
sample.
The audit also included a comparison of your lawful documented
product acquisitions with your paid Medicaid claims. The audit
period for this review was from January 1, 1999, through , on
March 24, 2000. The drug quantity billed to Medicaid, in many...
instances, exceeded the quantity available to dispense to Medicaid’
recipients. This review identified an overpayment of $847,889.44.
Attached are the overpayment calculations.
Accordingly, we have determined at this time that you have been
overpaid by the Medicaid program in the amount of $977,883.08:
If you accept or concur with these findings, please send your
check in the amount of $977,883.08, for the identified
overpayment, made payable to the ¥Ylorida Agency for Health Cara
Administration, to:
Agency for Health Care Administration
Medicaid Accounts Receivable
Post Office Box 13749
Tallahassee, Florida 32317-3749
(Note: The check mst be payable to the Florida Agency for
Health Care Administration, not to any employee of the
agency.) ‘to ensura proper credit, be sure that your
provider number is shown on your check. Questions
regarding payment should be directed to Ms. Willie Bivens ‘
at (B50) 487-4298. ,
You have the right to request a formal or informal hearing *
pursuant to section 120.569, F.S. If a petition for formal
hearing is made, the petition must be made in compliance with
gule section 28-106.201, F.A.C. Please note that rule section
28-106.201(2), F.A.C.. spacifies that the petition shall contain
a concise discussion of specific items in dispute.
Additionally, you are hereby informed that if a request for a
hearing is made, the request or petition must be received within
twenty-one (21) days of receipt of this letter. Failure to
timely request a hearing shall be deemed a waiver of your right
to a hearing.
It is important that a request for an informal hearing or a
petition for a formal hearing be sent only to the following
addyvesa:
Mr. Charles G. Ginn, Chief
Medicaid Program Integrity
Office of the Inapector General
Agency for Health Care Administration
2727 Mahan Drive, Mail Stop # 6 REC EIVED
Tallahassee, Florida 32308-5403
APR 2 4 2001 =
MEDICAID PROG 7AM
INTeGra FY
wevas
Lincourt Pharmacy
Page 3 ,
De not send requests oF petitions to sny other address. if a
heaxing request im not received within 21 days from. the date of
receipt of this letter, the right to such hearing is waived, and
repayment of the above-stipulated overpayment willbe due and
payable at the end of that .2i-day period. TLE
carmen eae
Any questions that you may have ragaxding this matter should be
directed to: Gary W. Marsh, Senior Pharmacist, Agency for Health
Care Administration, Medicaid Program Integrity, Office of the
Inspector General, 2727 Mahan Drive, Mail Stop #6, Tallahassee,
Florida 32308-5403. telephone number (850) 922-4374. 050
Sincerely.
IL. _
bp. Kenneth Yon
Program Administrator
Medicaid Program Integrity
DKY /gwm
Attachment (5)
ce; Medicaid Program Integrity Administrative Section
Medicaid Accounts Receivable, Attn: Willie Bivens
Beritage Information Systems, Inc. '
Medicaid Program Development
Area Medicaid office :
Heritage Final Let Lincaurt.doc 01/0}
sce AA: DRSTRNANNNNA SA
AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
AMORTIZATION SCHEDULE
LINCOURT PHARMACY/Provider # 1020089-00/C. 1. # 00-1061-000
LOAN DATA
Past Due Balance:|$269,574.31 Table starts at date: 6/1/2004
Annual int rate: or payment number: 1
Term in years:
Payments per year:
First payment due:|6/1/2004
CALCULATED PAYMENT
Entered payment:
Calculated payment:|$46,248.54
Monthly Pmt Used: [$46,248.54 $269,574.31
1st Pmt in Table: 1 Cumulative interest prior to payment 1: $0.00
Table
es] amet | SGOT Te | inc | saamte | mst” | aout | Po
Due Date Balance pa Balance Interest Amount Paid
4 6/1/2004 269,574.31 2,246.45 | 44,002.09 | 225,572.22 2,246.45 | 4624854 | si
2 71112004 225,572.22 1,879.77 | 44,368.78 181,203.44 4,126.22 [| 4624854 | |
3 8/4/2004 181,203.44 1,510.03 | 44,738.52 136,464.93 5,636.25
9/1/2004 136,464.93 1,137.21 45,111.34 91,353.59 6,773.46
10/1/2004 91,353.59 761.28 45,487.26 45,866.33 7,534.74
14/1/2004 45,866.33 382.22 45,866.33 0.00 7,916.96
[0.00 |
y__0.00__
[0.00 |
|__0.00 |
[0.00 |
[0.00 |
[0.00
[900 fT
[ooo
| ooo [|
[000
0.00
|
Pd
Pd
Page 1 of 1
Docket for Case No: 01-001966
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
May 21, 2004 |
Final Order filed.
|
Jul. 30, 2001 |
Order Closing File issued. CASE CLOSED.
|
Jul. 23, 2001 |
Agency`s Response to Petitioner`s Request to Produce (filed via facsimile).
|
Jul. 23, 2001 |
Notice of Providing Answers to Petitioner`s First Request for Admissions (filed via facsimile).
|
Jul. 23, 2001 |
Notice of Providing Answers to Petitioner`s First Set of Interrogatories (filed via facsimile).
|
Jul. 23, 2001 |
Petitioner`s Motion to Withdraw Petition for Formal Administrative Hearing without Prejudice Pending Conclusion of Settlement Discussions filed.
|
Jun. 15, 2001 |
Order Granting Continuance and Re-scheduling Hearing issued (hearing set for October 15 and 16, 2001; 9:00 a.m.; Tampa, 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 |
Notice of Serving First Set of Interrogatories to Respondent Agency for Health Care Administration filed.
|
Jun. 13, 2001 |
Motion for Continuance filed by Petitioner.
|
Jun. 04, 2001 |
Notice of Hearing issued (hearing set for August 13 and 14, 2001; 9:00 a.m.; Tampa, FL).
|
May 29, 2001 |
Joint Response to Initial Order (filed via facsimile).
|
May 22, 2001 |
Initial Order issued.
|
May 21, 2001 |
Petition for Formal Administrative Hearing filed.
|
May 21, 2001 |
Final Agency Audit Report filed.
|
May 21, 2001 |
Notice (of Agency referral) filed.
|