Petitioner: AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
Respondent: GWEN MCCLAIN, D/B/A GWEN ALF
Judges: BARBARA J. STAROS
Agency: Agency for Health Care Administration
Locations: Lake City, Florida
Filed: Sep. 15, 2009
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Tuesday, December 8, 2009.
Latest Update: Dec. 26, 2024
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STATE OF FLORIDA
AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
STATE OF FLORIDA, AGENCY FOR
HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION,
Petitioner,
VS. Case No. 2009003763
GWEN MCCLAIN, d/b/a GWEN ALF,
Respondent.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
COMES NOW the Agency for Health Care Administration (hereinafter Agency), by and
through the undersigned counsel and files this Administrative Complaint against GWEN
MCCLAIN, d/b/a GWEN ALF (hereinafter Respondent), pursuant to Section 120.569, 120.57,
and 408.812, Florida Statutes (2007), and alleges:
NATURE OF THE ACTION
This is an action to impose an administrative fine in the amount of SEVENTY ONE
THOUSAND DOLLARS (871,000.00) against the Respondent, an unlicensed assisted living
facility pursuant to § 429.08 and 408.812, Florida Statutes (2008), based upon the facilities
continued operation without a license,
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
1 The Agency has jurisdiction pursuant to Section 120.369, and 120.60, Florida
Statutes (2008), Chapter 429 Part I, Florida Statutes (2008), Sections 408.812, and 408.813,
Florida Statutes (2008) and Rule 58A-5, Florida Administrative Code.
2. Venue hes pursuant to Rule 28-106.207, Florida Administrative Code.
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PARTIES
3. The Agency is the regulatory authority responsible for licensure of assisted living
facilitics and cnforccment of all applicable federal regulations, state statutes and rules governing
assisted living facilities pursuant to the Chapter 429, Part I, Florida Statutes (2008), and Chapter
58A-5 Florida Administrative Code.
4. Respondent is operating an assisted living facility located at 5215 SW 64" Drive,
Jasper, Florida 32502, and was never licensed as an assisted living facility.
5. Respondent was at all times between November 21, 2008, and February 2, 2009,
operating as an assisted living facility and was required to comply with all applicable miles, and
statutes.
COUNTI
RESPONDENT CONTINUED OPERATION AS AN UNLICENSED ASSISTED LIVING
FACILITY AFTER BEING REQUESTED TO CEASE AND DESIST
6. The Agency re-alleges and incorporates paragraphs (1) through (5) as if fully set
forth herein,
7. That pursuant to Florida law, it is unlawful for any person or entity to own,
operate, or maintain an unlicensed provider. If after receiving notification from the agency, such
person or entity fails to cease operation and apply for a license under this part and authorizing
statutes, the person or entity shall be subject to penalties as prescribed by authorizing statutes and
applicable rules. Section 408.512(3), Florida Statutes (2008).
8. That pursuant to Florida law, any person or entity that fails to cease operation
after agency notification may be fined one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for each day of
noncompliance. Section 408.812(4), Florida Statutes (2008).
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9. That pursuant to Florida law, an "Assisted living facility" means any building or
buildings, section or distinct part of a building, private home, boarding home, home for the aged,
or other residential facility, whether operated for profit or not, which undertakes through its
ownership or management to provide housing, meals, and one or more personal services for a
period exceeding 24 hours to one or more adults who are not relatrves of the owner or
administrator. Section 429.02(5), Florida Statutes (2007).
10. ‘That the Agency conducted a review of an Attorney General report on November
21, 2008, that report revealed the following:
a. That on November 19, 2008, the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control
Office observed two mobile homes in front of a building where the
owner/provider resided.
b. That four (4) residents were observed entering a white van at the home.
c. That the residents were interviewed and they stated that they have resided at the
home for the past eight to ten years,
d. That further interview with the residents revealed that they eat all their meals at
the home.
e. That investigators at the facility also witnessed the provider admunister
medications while at the home.
f. That the owner/provider admitted that she had no formal education on the
professional administration of medications when question by the investigator.
g. That one of the residents at the location depends heavily on the owner/provider to
administer the medications because he/she is blind.
h. That the owner/provider admitted to providing medications, meals, shopping, and
taking residents to their respective doctor’s appointments. The owner/provider
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concluded by stating that she recetved payment by the residents Social Security
and Supplemental Security Income checks for meeting the residents’ needs.
ll. That the Agency notified the Respondent by certified mail on November 24,
2008, that the facility must cease operation as an assisted living facility.
12. That the Agency received confirmation that the “Cease and Desist” letter was
received on November 25, 2008 (Certified Receipt No, 7007 3020 0000 2288 6184).
13. That on February 2, 2009, the Agency performed a compliance inspection to
ensure compliance with applicable laws and rules.
14. Upon arrival at the facility the surveyor spoke with resident number 1, who
explained that there are currently three people residing with the owner/provider at the facility.
Resident number 1 invited the surveyor inside, where resident number 3 was inside sitting down.
The surveyor noted that all residents were wearing, what appeared to be dirty clothing. Access to
the refrigerator was restricted to the residents due to the refrigerator being pad locked, No phone
was seen at the horne, which was consistent with the statements of resident 1, who informed that
the phone was locked up.
15. Prior to leaving the residence, the surveyor spoke to all three residents in one
setting and learned that two residents reside upstairs, while the other sleeps im the ving room.
16. That the above reflects that the Respondent is engaged in the operation of an
assisted living facility, and therefore constitutes harm that materially affects the health, safety,
and welfare of clients. Section 408. &12(2), Florida Statutes.
17. That the Respondent does not have any expectations to becoming licensed in
accordance with state law. |
18. That the operation of Respondent as an assisted living facility without a valid
license is in violation of law and subjects Respondent to admimustrative fines. Section 408.812(4);
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Florida Statutes.
19. That the Agency intends to impose an administrative fine in the amount of
SEVENTY ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($71,000.00) against Respondent pursuant to Section
408.812(4) and 408.813, Florida Statutes (2008).
WHEREFORE, the Agency requests the following relief:
1. Enter factual and legal findings as set forth im the allegations on all counts.
2. Impose an administrative fine in the amount of SEVENTY ONE THOUSAND
DOLLARS ($71,000.00),
3. Grant such other relief as the court deems is just and proper.
Respectfully submitted this l Hy, of July, 2009,
hi bl)
Shaddrick A. HaSton, Senior Attomey
Florida Bar 1.D. No.: 31067
Agency for Health Care Administration
2727 Mahan Dr., MS #3
Tallahassee, Florida 32308
Phone: (850) 487-9845
Fax: (850) 413-9313
Respondent is notified that it has.a right to request an administrative hearing pursuant to
Section 120.569, Florida Statutes. Respondent has the right to retain, and be represented by an
- attorney in this matter. Specific options for administrative action are set out im the attached
Election of Rights.
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Ali requests for hearing shall be made to the attention of: Agency Clerk, Agency for
Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Drive, Bldg #3, MS #3, Tallahassee, Florida,
32308, (850) 922-5873.
RESPONDENT IS FURTHER NOTIFIED THAT A REQUEST FOR HEARING
MUST BE RECEIVED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF RECEIPT OF THIS COMPLAINT OR
WILL RESULT IN AN ADMISSION OF THE FACTS ALLEGED IN THE COMPLAINT
AND THE ENTRY OF A FINAL ORDER BY THE AGENCY.
VICE
I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoimg has been served by.
U.S. Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested on July 7 ° 2009, to Gwen McClain, 5215. SW
64” Drive, Jasper, Florida 32502.
Stull Mls.
-
Shaddrick A. Haston; Faq.
Gwen McClain Shaddrick A. Haston, Senior Attorney
5215 SW 64" Drive Agency for Health Care Administration
Jasper, Florida 32502 Office of the General Counsel.
: : 2727 Mahan Drive, MS #3
(US. Certified Mail ‘Tallahassee, Florida 32308
Barbara Alford (interoffice)
Field Office Manager
Agency for Health Care Admimistration
2727 Mahan Dr. MS #
Tallahassee, Florida 32308
(nteroffice)
8589218158
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Docket for Case No: 09-005005
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Dec. 08, 2009 |
Order Closing File. CASE CLOSED.
|
Dec. 08, 2009 |
Motion to Relinquish Jurisdiction filed.
|
Oct. 05, 2009 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
|
Oct. 05, 2009 |
Notice of Hearing (hearing set for December 11, 2009; 10:00 a.m.; Lake City, FL).
|
Oct. 05, 2009 |
Joint Response to Initial Order filed.
|
Sep. 15, 2009 |
Initial Order.
|
Sep. 15, 2009 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Sep. 15, 2009 |
Election of Rights filed.
|
Sep. 15, 2009 |
Request for Administrative Hearing filed.
|
Sep. 15, 2009 |
Notice (of Agency referral) filed.
|