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: Feb. 01, 2025
STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,
PETITIONER,
Vv. CASE NO. 2010-09934
MICHAEL MOYER, M.D.,
RESPONDENT.
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 2:23 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
including but not limited to Oxycodone, Xanax, and Soma.
DEFINITIONS OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES
6. | 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.
7. 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 III.
8. 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 III
controlled substance that has a potential for abuse less than the
substances in Schedules f 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.
9. Soma (muscle relaxant, Schedule IV) 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 III.
FACTS SPECIFIC TO PATIENT SL
10. Respondent provided treatment for chronic pain to Patient SL
from November 4, 2008, through May 5, 2010.
11. Patient SL presented to Respondent for an initial visit on
November 4, 2008, with a history of a motor vehicle accident, complaints
of neck and back pain as well as anxiety and fatigue associated with pain.
12. During follow-up visits between November 4, 2008, and May 5,
2010, Patient SL presented to Respondent with complaints of exacerbation
of neck and back pain.
13. During follow-up visits between February 11, 2010, and May 5,
2010, Patient SL presented with complaints of ankle pain.
14. On or about February 11, 2010, Respondent documented that
Patient SL reported complaints of anxiety. During all other follow-up visits,
there is no record that Patient SL reported complaints of anxiety during
Respondent's provision of chronic pain treatment to Patient SL.
15. On May 12, 2009, Patient SL was arrested for possession of a
Schedule I substance with intent to distribute. The charges against Patient
SL were dismissed on June 4, 2009. Respondent continued to prescribe
controlled substances to Patient SL after the charges were dismissed.
16. Respondent did not order any urine drug screens to monitor
Patient SL’s compliance with the medication prescribed despite the fact that
she had been arrested for possession with intent to distribute narcotics on
June 4, 2009.
17. Respondent's medical records reflect that he prescribed to
patient SL multiple prescriptions for excessive amounts of Oxycodone,
Soma and Xanax as described in the following table:
Date of Medication Type of Quantity
Prescription | Prescribed Medication
11/4/08 Oxycodone 30 mg Schedule II 180
11/4/08 Soma 350 mg Schedule IV 30
11/4/08 Xanax 2 mg Schedule IV 30
12/4/09 Oxycodone 30 mg Schedule II 180
12/4/09 Soma 350 mg Schedule IV 30
12/4/09 Xanax 2 mg Schedule IV 30
1/8/09 Oxycodone 30 mg Schedule II 180
1/8/09 Soma 350 mg Schedule IV 30
1/8/09 Xanax 2 mg Schedule IV 30
2/9/09 Oxycodone 30 mg Schedule II 180
2/9/09 Soma 350 mg Schedule IV 60
2/9/09 Xanax 2 mg Schedule IV 45
3/10/09 Oxycodone 30 mg Schedule II 180
3/10/09 Soma 350 mg Schedule IV 60
3/10/09 Xanax 2 mg Schedule IV 30
| 4/8/09 Oxycodone 30 mg Schedule II 180
4/8/09 Soma 350 mg Schedule IV 60
4/8/09 Xanax 2 mg Schedule IV 30
5/6/09 Oxycodone 30 mg Schedule II 180
6/24/09 Oxycodone 30 mg Schedule II 180
6/24/09 Soma 350 mg Schedule IV 60
6/24/09 Xanax 2 mg Schedule IV 60
7/23/09 Oxycodone 30 mg Schedule II 180
7/23/09 Soma 350 mg Schedule IV 60
7/23/09 Xanax 2 mg Schedule IV 60
7/23/09 Lortab 10/500 Schedule II 60
8/24/09 Oxycodone 30 mg Schedule II 162
8/24/09 Soma 350 mg Schedule IV 60
8/24/09 Xanax 2 mg Schedule IV 40
9/24/09 Oxycodone 30 mg Schedule II 210
9/24/09 Soma 350 mg Schedule IV 60
9/24/09 Xanax 2 mg Schedule IV 60
10/22/09 Oxycodone 30 mg Schedule II 210
10/22/09 Soma 350 mg Schedule IV 60
10/22/09 Xanax 2 mg Schedule IV 60
11/19/09 Oxycodone 30 mg Schedule II 210
11/19/09 Soma 350 mg Schedule IV 60
11/19/09 Xanax 2 mg Schedule IV 60
12/17/09 Oxycodone 30 mg Schedule II 210
12/17/09 Soma 350 mg Schedule IV 60
12/17/09 Xanax 2 mg Schedule IV 60
1/14/10 Oxycodone 30 mg Schedule II 210
1/14/10 Soma 350 mg Schedule IV 60
1/14/10 Xanax 2 mg Schedule IV 60
2/11/10 Xanax 2 mg Schedule IV 75
3/11/10 Xanax 2 mg Schedule [V 75
3/11/10 Oxycodone 30 mg Schedule II 210
4/8/10 Oxycodone 30 mg Schedule IT 210
5/6/10 Oxycodone 30 mg Schedule II 210
18. Respondent prescribed a high dosage of the above-described
controlled substances without titrating the dosage to obtain the desired
effect.
19. Respondent also prescribed a high dosage of Xanax 2 mg in
combination with a high dosage of Oxycodone and Soma.
20. Respondent also prescribed a high dosage of controlled
substances in high frequency to Patient SL without regularly obtaining urine
drug screen tests in view of the large volume of highly addictive controlled
substances being prescribed.
21. Respondent failed to document his basis for prescribing Xanax
to Patient SL.
22. Respondent failed to obtain medical records from previous
physicians who treated and prescribed to Patient SL.
23. Respondent also failed to refer the patient to other
healthcare specialists for treatment.
24. Respondent failed to refer the patient for alternative
treatment including, but not limited to, surgical consultation,
acupuncture, physical or massage therapy.
25. Respondent failed to switch the patient to longer acting
controlled substances.
26. Respondent's medical records do not contain medical
justification for the high frequency simultaneous prescription of such high
quantities of Oxycodone, Xanax, and Soma between November 4, 2008
until May 6, 2010.
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, 2009), provides
that committing medical malpractice constitutes grounds for disciplinary
action by the Board of Medicine. Medical Malpractice is defined in Section
456.50, Florida Statutes (2008, 2009), 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,
2009), 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, 2009), 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 obtain medical records from previous
physicians;
b. By failing to obtain regular urine drug screens of Patient
SL;
c. By failing to refer the patient to other healthcare
specialists for evaluation and treatment;
d. Respondent failed to refer the patient for alternative treatment
including surgical consultation, acupuncture, physical or
massage therapy;
e. By failing to document the patient’s medical records to justify
the high frequency of simultaneous prescriptions of large
quantities of Xanax, Oxycodone, and Soma to Patient SL;
f. By failing to document support for prescription of excessive
amounts of controlled substances as referenced in the table
above without documentation to support the prescriptions;
and/or
g. | Respondent failed to switch the patient to longer acting
substances.
31. | Respondent violated Section 458.331(1)(t)1, Florida Statutes
(2008, 2009), 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 SL.
COUNT TWO
32. Petitioner realleges and incorporates paragraphs one through
twenty-six as if fully set forth herein.
33. Section 458.331(1)(q)1, Florida Statutes (2008, 2009), 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
10
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 the controlled substances as
referenced in the table above.
35. Based on the forgoing, Respondent violated Section
458.331(1)(q), Florida Statutes (2008, 2009), 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, 2009), 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
11
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 SL.
39. On or about the dates set forth above, Respondent violated
Section 458.331(1)(m), Florida Statutes (2008, 2009), by failing to
maintain medical records to justify the course of treatment for Patient SL.
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,
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.
12
SIGNED this _/7 _ day of bikehe 2011.
FILED
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
DEPUTY CLERK
CLERK el Sanders
DATE ace 17 200
YYG
PCP: October 14, 2011
H. Frank Farmer, Jr, MD, PhD, FACP
State Surgeon General
. 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
PCP Members: Leon, El Sanadi, Levine
DOH v. Michael Moyer, M.D., Case Number 2010-09934
13
DOH v. Michael Moyer, M.D. CASE NO. 2010-09934
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.
14
Docket for Case No: 12-001670PL
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.
|
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.
|
May 15, 2012 |
Initial Order.
|
May 11, 2012 |
Notice of Appearance (Yolonda Green) filed.
|
May 11, 2012 |
Agency referral filed.
|
May 11, 2012 |
Election of Rights filed.
|
May 11, 2012 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|