Petitioner: AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
Respondent: AFFORDABLE HELPERS HOME CARE, LLC
Judges: DARREN A. SCHWARTZ
Agency: Agency for Health Care Administration
Locations: Lauderdale Lakes, Florida
Filed: Sep. 09, 2013
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Thursday, October 10, 2013.
Latest Update: Nov. 15, 2024
STATE OF FLORIDA
AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
STATE OF FLORIDA, AGENCY FOR HEALTH
CARE ADMINISTRATION,
Petitioner, AHCA No.: 2012008303
Return Receipt Requested:
v. 7009 0080 0000 0585 9746
AFFORDABLE HELPERS HOME CARE LLC,
Respondent.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
COMES NOW State of Florida, Agency for Health Care
Administration (“AHCA”), by and through the undersigned counsel,
and files this administrative complaint against Affordable
Helpers Home Care LLC (hereinafter “Affordable Helpers Home Care
LLC”), pursuant to Chapter 400, Part III, Chapter 408, Part II,
and Section 120.60, Florida Statutes (2012), and alleges:
NATURE OF THE ACTION
1. This is an action to impose an administrative fine of
$3,000.00 pursuant to Section 400.512, Florida Statutes (2012)
and Section 400.474, Florida Statutes, for the protection of
public health, safety and welfare
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
2. This Court has jurisdiction pursuant to Sections
120.569 and 120.57, Florida Statutes (2012), and Chapter 28-106,
Florida Administrative Code (2012).
3. Venue lies pursuant to Rule 28-106.207, Florida
Administrative Code (2012).
PARTIES
4. AHCA is the regulatory authority responsible for
licensure and enforcement of all applicable statutes and rules
governing homemaker companion services pursuant to Chapter 400,
Part III, Chapter 408, Part II, Florida Statutes (2012), and
Chapter 58A-5 Florida Administrative Code (2012).
5. Affordable Helpers Home Care LLC operates a homemakers
and companion services located at 8219 S. W. 51°* Street, Davie,
Florida 33328. Affordable Helpers Home Care LLC is licensed as a
homemaker companion service under license number 231374.
Affordable Helpers Home Care LLC was at all times material
hereto a licensed facility under the licensing authority of AHCA
and was required to comply with all applicable rules’ and
statutes.
COUNT I
AFFORDABLE HELPERS HOME CARE LLC FAILED TO NOTIFY AHCA OF CHANGE
OF ADDRESS PRIOR TO RELOCATION TO CURRENT LOCATION.
RULE 59A~35.040, FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
(CHANGE OF ADDRESS STANDARDS)
UNCLASSIFIED VIOLATION
6. AHCA re-alleges and incorporates paragraphs (1)
through (5) as if fully set forth herein.
7. Affordable Helpers Home Care LLC was cited with ‘two
(2) unclassified deficiencies as the result of a complaint
investigation survey that was conducted on July 3, 2012.
8. A complaint investigation survey was conducted on July
3, 2012. Based on interview and record review, it was determined
that the HCS (Homemaker Companion Service) failed to notify AHCA
(Agency for Health Care Administration) of a change of address,
prior to their relocation to their current location, as
required. The findings include the following.
9. At approximately 10:20 AM on 07/02/12, interview with
the Owner of the HCS revealed that the HCS's office was no
longer located at the address documented on their State
Registration; had moved to another location and the HCS's Owner
further stated that the HCS's new office location address had
been reported to AHCA, "last week."
10. Review of documentation reveals that the HCS is
currently registered as an HCS at a location that is not the
HCS's current location.
11. Interview, at 11:00 AM on 07/02/12 with the HCS's
Office Manager at the HCS's current office location revealed
that the notice, informing AHCA of the new HCS's office address, |
had not been sent yet.
12. Based on the foregoing facts, Affordable Helpers Home
Care LLC violated Section Rule 59A-35.040, Florida
Administrative Code, an unclassified violation, which warrants
an assessed fine of $500.00.
COUNT ITI
AFFORDABLE HELPERS HOME CARE LLC FAILED TO CONDUCT THE MANDATED
BACKGROUND SCREENING FOR PERSONNEL WHO ACTIVELY PROVIDE SERVICES
TO CLIENTS.
SECTION 408.809, FLORIDA STATUTES
SECTION 435.02(2), FLORIDA STATUTES
SECTION 435.06, FLORIDA STATUTES
(BACKGROUND SCREENING STANDARDS)
UNCLASSIFIED VIOLATION
13. AHCA re-alleges and incorporates paragraphs (1)
through (5) as if fully set forth herein.
14, A complaint investigation survey was conducted on July
3, 2012. Based on record review and interview, it was determined
that the HCS (Homemaker Companion Service) failed to conduct the
mandated Background Screening for 5 of 6 sampled HCS personnel
(Personnel #1, #3, #4, #5, and #6) who actively provide services
to 4 of 4 sampled clients, Client #1, #2, #3 and #4, in the
client's homes. The findings include the following.
15. Review of the records for the HCS's Personnel #1, #3,
#4, #5, and. #6, who actively provide services to the HCS's
clients, Client #1, #2, #3, and #4 in their homes revealed no
evidence of documentation of Background Screenings. Further
review revealed evidence of documentation that Personnel #1's
date of hire with the HCS was 02/16/11. Personnel #3's date of
hire with the HCS was 11/21/11. Personnel #4's date of hire,
with the HCS was 05/06/10. Personnel #5's date of -hire with the
HCS was 09/29/09, and Personnel #6's date of hire with the HCS
was 10/16/09.
16. During an interview on 07/02/12 at approximately 1:00
PM, the HCS's Office Manager could not explain the lack of
evidence of documentation of Background Screenings for the HSC's
personnel.
17. Based on the foregoing facts, Affordable Helpers Home
Care LLC violated Section 408.809, Florida Statutes, Section
435.02(2), Florida Statutes, Section 435.06, Florida Statutes,
an unclassified violation, which warrants an assessed fine of
$2,500.00 [$500.00 per incident x 5 incidents].
CLAIM FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, the Agency requests the Court to order the
following relief:
1. Enter a judgment in favor of the Agency for Health
Care Administration against Affordable Helpers Home Care LLC on
Counts I and II.
2. Assess an administrative fine of $3,000.00 against
Affordable Helpers Home Care LLC on Counts I and II for the
violations cited above.
3. Assess costs related to the investigation and
prosecution of this matter, if the Court finds costs applicable.
4. Grant such other relief as this Court deems is Just
and proper.
Respondent is notified that it has a right to request an
administrative hearing pursuant to Sections 120.569 and 120.57,
Florida Statutes (2012). Specific options for administrative
action are set out in the attached Election of Rights. All
requests for hearing shall be made to the Agency for Health Care
Administration, and delivered to the Agency Clerk, Agency for
Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Drive, MS #3,
Tallahassee, Florida 32308.
RESPONDENT IS FURTHER NOTIFIED THAT THE FAILURE TO RECEIVE A
REQUEST FOR A HEARING WITHIN TWENTY-ONE (21) DAYS OF RECEIPT OF
THIS COMPLAINT WILL RESULT IN AN ADMISSION OF THE FACTS ALLEGED
IN THE COMPLAINT AND THE ENTRY OF A’ FINAL ORDER BY THE AGENCY,
IF YOU WANT TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE
REPRESENTED BY AN ATTORNEY IN THIS MATTER
Qbbas DN.
Alba M. Rodkiguez, q.
Fla. Bar No.: 0880175
Assistant General Counsel
Agency for Health Care
Administration
8333 N.W. 5374 Street
Suite 300
Miami, Florida 33166
305-718-5911
Copies furnished to:
Arlene Mayo-Davis
Field Office Manager
Agency for Health Care Administration
5150 Linton Blvd. - Suite 500
Delray Beach, Florida 33484
(U.S. Mail)
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the
foregoing has been furnished by U.S. Certified Mail, Return
Receipt Requested to Divya Girnar, Administrator, Affordable
Helpers Home Care LLC, 8219 S. W. 51%* Street, David, Florida
33328 on this 13 day of Quo , 2013.
Alba M. 2, Macatee
STATE OF FLORIDA
AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
RE: Affordable Helpers Home Care LLC AHCA No.: 2012008303
ELECTION OF RIGHTS
This Election of Rights form is attached to a proposed action by the Agency for Health Care
Administration (AHCA). The title may be Notice of Intent to Impose a Late Fee, Notice of
Intent to Impose a Late Fine or Administrative Complaint.
Your Election of Rights must be returned by mail or by fax within 21 days of the day you
receive the attached Notice of Intent to Impose a Late Fee, Notice of Intent to Impose a Late Fine
or Administrative Complaint.
If your Election of Rights with your selected option is not received by AHCA within twenty-
one (21) days from the date you received this notice of proposed action by AHCA, you will have
given up your right to contest the Agency’s proposed action and a final order will be issued.
(Please use this form unless you, your attorney or your representative prefer to reply according to
Chapter 120, Florida Statutes (2006) and Rule 28, Florida Administrative Code.)
PLEASE RETURN YOUR ELECTION OF RIGHTS TO THIS ADDRESS:
Agency for Health Care Administration
Attention: Agency Clerk
2727 Mahan Drive, Mail Stop #3
Tallahassee, Florida 32308.
Phone: 850-412-3630 Fax: 850-921-0158.
PLEASE SELECT ONLY 1 OF THESE 3 OPTIONS
OPTION ONE (1) 1 admit to the allegations of facts and law contained in the Notice
of Intent to Impose a Late Fine or Fee, or Administrative Complaint and I waive my right to
object and to have a hearing. I understand that by giving up my right to a hearing, a final order
will be issued that adopts the proposed agency action and imposes the penalty, fine or action.
OPTION TWO (2) I admit to the allegations of facts contained in the Notice of Intent
to Impose a Late Fee, the Notice of Intent to Impose a Late Fine, or Administrative
Complaint, but I wish to be heard at an informal proceeding (pursuant to Section 120.57(2),
Florida Statutes) where I may submit testimony and written evidence to the Agency to show that
the proposed administrative action is too severe or that the fine should be reduced.
OPTION THREE (3)__—S_—_I dispute the allegations of fact contained in the Notice of Intent
to Impose a Late Fee, the Notice of Intent to Impose a Late Fine, or Administrative
Complaint, and I request a formal hearing (pursuant to Subsection 120.57(1), Florida Statutes)
before an Administrative Law Judge appointed by the Division of Administrative Hearings.
PLEASE NOTE: Choosing OPTION THREE (3), by itself, is NOT sufficient to obtain a
formal hearing. You also must file a written petition in order to obtain a formal hearing before
the Division of Administrative Hearings under Section 120.57(1), Florida Statutes. It must be
received by the Agency Clerk at the address above within 21 days of your receipt of this proposed
administrative action. The request for formal hearing must conform to the requirements of Rule 28-
106.2015, Florida Administrative Code, which requires that it contain:
1. Your name, address, and telephone number, and the name, address, and telephone number of
your representative or lawyer, if any.
2. The file number of the proposed action.
3. A statement of when you received notice of the Agency’s proposed action.
4. A statement of all disputed issues of material fact. If there are none, you must state that there
are none.
Mediation under Section 120.573, Florida Statutes, may be available in this matter if the Agency
agrees.
License type: (ALF? nursing home? medical equipment? Other type?)
Licensee Name: License number:
Contact person:
: Name Title
Address:
Street and number City Zip Code
Telephone No. Fax No. Email(optional)
I hereby certify that I am duly authorized to submit this Notice of Election of Rights to the Agency
for Health Care Administration on behalf of the licensee referred to above.
Signed: Date:
Print Name: Title:
Late fee/fine/AC
U.S: Postal Service ‘ta
CERTIFIED MAIL: RECEIPT
(Domestic Mail Only; No Insurance Coverage. Provided)
HIS SECTION COMPLETE THIS SECTION ON DELIVERY
Fordelivery information Visit our website al www.usps.comiy..
OFFICIAL USE
Postage
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Reatricted Delivery Foo
(Endorsement Required).
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Docket for Case No: 13-003366
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Oct. 10, 2013 |
Order Closing File and Relinquishing Jurisdiction. CASE CLOSED.
|
Oct. 09, 2013 |
Motion to Close File and Relinquish Jurisdiction filed.
|
Sep. 18, 2013 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
|
Sep. 18, 2013 |
Notice of Hearing by Video Teleconference (hearing set for November 4, 2013; 9:00 a.m.; Lauderdale Lakes and Tallahassee, FL).
|
Sep. 10, 2013 |
Initial Order.
|
Sep. 09, 2013 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Sep. 09, 2013 |
Election of Rights filed.
|
Sep. 09, 2013 |
Letter to AHCA from D. Girnar regarding request to change address.
|
Sep. 09, 2013 |
Letter to A. Rodriguez from D. Girnar acknowledging letter dated February 27, 2013.
|
Sep. 09, 2013 |
Notice (of Agency referral) filed.
|