Conclusions Having reviewed the Administrative Complaint, and all other matters of record, the Agency for Health Care Administration finds and concludes as follows: 1. The Agency has jurisdiction over the above-named Respondent pursuant to Chapter 408, Part II, Florida Statutes, and the applicable authorizing statutes and administrative code provisions. 2. The Agency issued the attached Administrative Complaint and Election of Rights form to the Respondent for Case No. 2012007833. (Ex. 1) The Election of Rights form advised of the right to an administrative hearing. The Respondent waived the right to receive an Administrative Complaint and Election of Rights form for Case No. 2012010596. (Ex. 2) 3. The parties have since entered into the attached Settlement Agreement. (Ex. 2) Based upon the foregoing, it is ORDERED: 4. The Settlement Agreement is adopted and incorporated by reference into this Final Order. The parties shall comply with the terms of the Settlement Agreement. 5. The Respondent’s assisted living facility licenses for Northwest Care Center ] (License No. 7365) and Northwest Care Center III (License No. 8425) are relinquished and cancelled. 6. The Respondent and Ethelene B. Moore, individually, shall not seek licensure nor operate any facility licensed by the Agency for a period of 5 years from the date of execution of this Agreement. 7. Administrative fines and survey fees of $20,500.00 are imposed against the Respondent, but STAYED for purposes of collection as long the Respondent and Ms. Moore not seek any licensure from the Agency. In the event that the Respondent or Ms. Moore seeks licensure from the Agency after the period set forth above, the applicant shall pay $20,500.00 before any application for license can be considered. 1 Filed April 17, 2013 1:30 PM Division of Administrative Hearings 8. The Respondent is responsible for any refunds that may be due to any clients. 9. The Respondent shall remain responsible for retaining and appropriately distributing client records as prescribed by Florida law. The Respondent is advised of Section 408.810, Florida Statutes. The Respondent should also consult the applicable authorizing statutes and administrative code provisions as well as any other statute that may apply to health care practitioners regarding client records. 10. The Respondent is given notice of Florida law regarding unlicensed activity and is advised of Section 408.804 and Section 408.812, Florida Statutes. The Respondent should also consult the applicable authorizing statutes and administrative code provisions. The Respondent is notified that the cancellation of an Agency license may have ramifications potentially affecting accrediting, third party billing including but not limited to the Florida Medicaid program, and private contracts. ORDERED at Tallahassee, Florida, on this. 7D day of Mr . 2013. Elizabeth Duddk, Secretary Agency for Health Care Administration
Other Judicial Opinions A party who is adversely affected by this Final Order is entitled to 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 of 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. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I CERTIFY that a true and tne oo ee of wis Final Order was re on the below-named persons by the method designated on this / potas “pe , 2013. Richard Shoop, Agency Clerk Agency for Health Care Administration 2727 Mahan Drive, Bldg. #3, Mail Stop #3 Tallahassee, Florida 32308-5403 Telephone: (850) 412-3630 Facilities Intake Unit (Electronic Mail) Finance & Accounting Revenue Management Unit (Electronic Mail) Katrina Derico-Harris Medicaid Accounts Receivable Agency for Health Care Administration (Electronic Mail) Shaddrick Haston, Unit Manager Licensure Unit Agency for Health Care Administration (Electronic Mail) Shawn McCauley Medicaid Contract Management Agency for Health Care Administration (Electronic Mail) Patricia Caufman, Field Office Manager Local Field Office Agency for Health Care Administration (Electronic Mail) Thomas J. Walsh II Office of the General Counsel Agency for Health Care Administration (Electronic Mail) George F. Indest UI, Esq. The Health Law Firm 1101 Douglas Avenue Altamonte Springs, Florida 32714 (U.S. Mail) Lynne A. Quimby-Pennock Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearing (Electronic Mail) NOTICE OF FLORIDA LAW 408.804 License required; display.-- (1) It is unlawful to provide services that require licensure, or operate or maintain a provider that offers or provides services that require licensure, without first obtaining from the agency a license authorizing the provision of such services or the operation or maintenance of such provider. (2) A license must be displayed in a conspicuous place readily visible to clients who enter at the address that appears on the license and is valid only in the hands of the licensee to whom it is issued and may not be sold, assigned, or otherwise transferred, voluntarily or involuntarily. The license is valid only for the licensee, provider, and location for which the license is issued. 408.812 Unlicensed activity.-- (1) A person or entity may not offer or advertise services that require licensure as defined by this part, authorizing statutes, or applicable rules to the public without obtaining a valid license from the agency. A licenseholder may not advertise or hold out to the public that he or she holds a license for other than that for which he or she actually holds the license. (2) The operation or maintenance of an unlicensed provider or the performance of any services that require licensure without proper licensure is a violation of this part and authorizing statutes. Unlicensed activity constitutes harm that materially affects the health, safety, and welfare of clients. The agency or any state attorney may, in addition to other remedies provided in this part, bring an action for an injunction to restrain such violation, or to enjoin the future operation or maintenance of the unlicensed provider or the performance of any services in violation of this part and authorizing statutes, until 3 compliance with this part, authorizing statutes, and agency rules has been demonstrated to the satisfaction of the agency. (3) 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. Each day of continued operation is a separate offense. (4) Any person or entity that fails to cease operation after agency notification may be fined $1,000 for each day of noncompliance. (5) When a controlling interest or licensee has an interest in more than one provider and fails to license a provider rendering services that require licensure, the agency may revoke all licenses and impose actions under s. 408.814 and a fine of $1,000 per day, unless otherwise specified by authorizing statutes, against each licensee until such time as the appropriate license is obtained for the unlicensed operation. (6) In addition to granting injunctive relief pursuant to subsection (2), if the agency determines that a person or entity is operating or maintaining a provider without obtaining a license and determines that a condition exists that poses a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of a client of the provider, the person or entity is subject to the same actions and fines imposed against a licensee as specified in this part, authorizing statutes, and agency rules. (7) Any person aware of the operation of an unlicensed provider must report that provider to the agency.
The Issue Whether Respondent, USA Rehab and Chiropractic Center, Inc., should have a penalty and fine imposed against its license for alleged statutory and rule violations.
Findings Of Fact On August 23, 2013, Respondent submitted to Petitioner a Health Care Licensing Application (Application) using AHCA Recommended Form 3110-0013, August 2013. The Application was submitted for the purpose of renewing Respondent’s license to operate as a health care clinic. Personnel File and Background Screening Results Section nine of the Application seeks a listing of Respondent’s “licensed health care practitioners and all personnel who provide personal care services to clients or with access to client funds.” Employees that fall within this classification are required to submit to, and successfully pass, a Level 2 background screening. Respondent identified on the Application four individuals that fell within the designated category. Florida Administrative Code Rule 59A-33.012(1) directs that a “survey” will be conducted for “[a]pplications for renewal licenses.” This rule also provides that the survey process “is an onsite inspection and review of the health care clinic facility or administrative office, by authorized Agency employees to determine the health care clinic’s compliance with the minimum standards established by the Act, its statutory references and rules regulating the operation and licensure of health care clinics.” Vanessia Bulger was assigned to conduct the survey related to Respondent’s Application. On November 25, 2013, Ms. Bulger visited Respondent’s facility for the purpose of conducting the required survey. Ms. Bulger met with the owner of the facility, Mr. Lavaud Fevry. While meeting with Ms. Bulger, Mr. Fevry disclosed that after submitting his Application to the Agency, the health care clinic hired two additional employees who provided personal care services to the clinic’s clients. Ms. Bulger wrote the names of the two new employees on her copy of section nine of the Application and further identified these employees with the letters “C” and “D.” Employee “C” is Eugene Grazette and employee “D” is Dexter K. John. For employee “C,” Ms. Bulger wrote “Eugene Grazette – 8- 31-15 – NO BG” and for employee “D” she wrote “Dexter K. John 10- 17-09 BG.” Ms. Bulger testified that “NO BG” stands for “no background screening results.” The Administrative Complaint does not allege that employee “C” had not passed a Level 2 background screening at the time of the survey conducted by Ms. Bulger. Count I of the Administrative Complaint does allege, however, that Respondent failed to maintain a copy of the Level 2 background screening results in the personnel file for employee “C.” It is undisputed that employee “C,” during all times relevant hereto, possessed a valid health provider license that authorized him to deliver personal care services to Respondent’s clients. Additionally, the evidence also establishes that on September 18, 2013, approximately two months before the survey, Respondent, via electronic submission, requested a Level 2 background screening for employee “C.” Ms. Bulger, as part of the survey process, completed a “Heath [sic] Care Clinic Surveyor Worksheet & Facility Questionnaire.” Item nine of the questionnaire asks, “[i]s there a log of all natural persons required to be screened and who have been screened under Level 2 criteria?” In response to this question, Ms. Bulger wrote “NO - New Chiropractor – massage therapist not listed.” The questionnaire does not ask on any of its 10 pages whether a copy of the Level 2 background screening results is maintained in the personnel files of the employees of the clinic. At the time of the survey, employee “C’s” personnel file did not contain a copy of the results from his Level 2 background screening. Attestation Regarding Background Screening Section 10 of the Application is labeled “Affidavit.” Mr. Fevry provided the following attestation in support of the Application: I, Lavaud Fevry, hereby swear or affirm that the statements in this application are true and correct. As administrator or authorized representative of the above named provider/facility, I hereby attest that all employees required by law to undergo Level 2 background screening have met the minimum standards of sections 435.04, and 408.809(5), Florida Statutes (F.S.) or are awaiting screening results. Count I of the Administrative Complaint also alleges that when Mr. Fevry met with Ms. Bulger during the survey he informed her that: he had no affidavit or documentation that the employees, including the Medical Director, had . . . attest[ed] to meeting the requirements for qualifying for employment pursuant to Florida law and agreeing to inform the employer immediately if arrested for any of the disqualifying offenses while employed by the employer per chapter 435, Florida Statutes. The evidence establishes that Respondent’s employees had not completed the required attestations until after the survey. In December 2013 Respondent submitted a plan of correction to address problems related to employee attestations. Exactly 21 months prior to the survey that provides the basis for the instant dispute, Petitioner, on February 23, 2012, conducted a survey of Respondent’s clinic. As a part of this earlier survey, Respondent was also cited for failing to ensure that required staff completed attestations, subject to penalty of perjury, wherein they acknowledged meeting the requirements for employment and agreeing to immediately inform Respondent if arrested for a disqualifying offense. Verifying Florida Licenses Emmanuel Nau, M.D. has served as Respondent’s medical/clinic director since August 2009. Dr. Nau, at all times relevant hereto, held Florida Department of Health medical license number ME48249. Dr. Nau, as medical director for Respondent’s clinic, acknowledges that he has legal responsibility for the clinic as specified in section 400.9935, Florida Statutes. On the day of the license renewal survey, Ms. Bulger inquired of Dr. Nau as to whether, in his capacity as medical director, he was verifying that all practitioners at the clinic who were providing health care services or supplies to clinic patients had active, unencumbered Florida licenses. Dr. Nau, in response to the inquiry, admitted to Ms. Bulger that he had not verified the license status of the clinic’s practitioners. There was, however, no evidence indicating that Respondent’s practitioners did not actually possess active, unencumbered Florida licenses during the period in question. Additionally, no evidence was offered that Respondent had previously been cited for committing violations of this nature. In December 2013 Respondent submitted a plan of correction that was designed to shore up its system of verifying that its employees have active, unencumbered Florida licenses. Failure to Document “When” and “What” Ms. Bulger testified that during the survey, Respondent failed to produce, upon request, confirmation that Dr. Nau documented, for the two years prior to the survey, compliance of when and what action was taken relative to several of the functions, duties and clinic responsibilities enumerated in section 400.9935(1)(a)-(g), Florida Statutes. When Ms. Bulger, on the day of the survey, questioned Dr. Nau about the omissions, he admitted that he failed to document and to maintain for the previous two years, records demonstrating “compliance, when and what action” he took in regards to the performance of his functions, duties, and responsibilities as medical director for the clinic. Dr. Nau also admitted during the final hearing that he had not been listing in his reports all information related to the performance of his duties as medical director of Respondent’s clinic. No evidence was offered that Respondent had previously been cited for committing violations of this nature. In December 2013 Respondent submitted a plan of correction designed to ensure that clinic reports adequately address those matters required by statute and rule.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Agency for Health Care Administration enter a Final Order finding that USA Rehab and Chiropractic Center, Inc., violated sections 400.991, 400.9935, 408.809, and 435.05(2), Florida Statutes. It is also recommended that the Agency suspend Respondent’s health care clinic license for 10 business days and impose against Respondent a fine in the amount of $3,500. Finally, it is recommended that Count III of the Administrative Complaint be dismissed. DONE AND ENTERED this 22nd day of April, 2015, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S LINZIE F. BOGAN Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 22nd day of April, 2015.
Findings Of Fact Upon consideration of the oral and documentary evidence adduced at the hearing, the following relevant facts are found: At all times relevant to the charges in this proceeding, respondent was employed as a registered nurse on the 11:00 P.M. to 7:30 A.M. shift aft the Putnam Community Hospital in Palatka, Florida. On or about October 28, 1978, the night supervisor at the Hospital, Ollie Craven, discovered an empty vial of Demerol (Meperidine) in the narcotic box, to which respondent had a key. Normally, the vial would be broken after use, but this vial was not broken. From this date until December 1, 1978, respondent was observed by the staff to exhibit symptoms of being under the influence of drugs. These symptoms included wide mood swings, lethargic behavior, minute-sized pupils and a very dry mouth, all consistent with one taking narcotics. When respondent came on duty on or about December 1, 1978, she appeared to be ill and did vomit. When observed later in the lounge, she was drowsy and lethargic. The night supervisor observed what appeared to be Demerol in her lab coat pocket. Feeling that respondent was not capable of carrying out her duties, Ms. Craven telephoned Ms. Wallace, the Director of Nurses, at about 3:00 A.M. and Ms. Wallace came to the Hospital. When questioned by Ms. Wallace, respondent denied having taken any drugs. Ms. Wallace palpitated the respondent's thighs and found the tissue to be hard and consistent with numerous injections. Respondent was asked to give a blood and a urine sample and did so. She was observed to have blood spots on her girdle. Ms. Wallace observed the respondent to be dull, with an extremely dry mouth and minute, pinpoint sized pupils. The blood and urine samples were positive for Meperidine, also known as Demerol, a controlled substance. By an Administrative Complaint dated December 3, 1978, the petitioner Board charged respondent with unprofessional conduct and a violation of F.S. Section 464.21(1)(b). On January 11, 1979, the respondent signed a form requesting an administrative hearing on the charges. In mid-February, the undersigned received a letter from the respondent reading as follows: Ms. Tremor: The hearing will have to be held without me. I am not now able to attend or will I be able in the next 60 to 90 days. Doctors orders. He states it will be to much tension because of the heart attack I have had. Sincerely yours Mary Pennington The attorney for the Board opposed a continuance without a letter from the respondent's physician. By notice of hearing dated May 3, 1979, the final hearing was noticed for June 4, 1979. The respondent Pennington did not appear at the hearing.
Recommendation Based upon the findings of fact and conclusions of law recited above, it is RECOMMENDED that the respondent be found guilty of unprofessional conduct in violation of Section 464.21(1)(b), Florida Statutes, and that her registered nursing license be suspended for a period of six (6) months. Done and entered this 2nd day of July 1979, in Tallahassee, Florida. DIANE D. TREMOR, Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings Room 101, Collins Building Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 COPIES FURNISHED: Geraldine Johnson Coordinator of Investigation and Licensing State Board of Nursing 111 East Coastline Drive Suite 504 Jacksonville, Florida 32202 Julius Finegold, Esquire 1107 Blackstone Building 233 East Bay Street Jacksonville, Florida 32202 Mary Wood Pennington Route 2, Box 1480 Palatka, Florida 32077 ================================================================= AGENCY FINAL ORDER ================================================================= BEFORE THE FLORIDA STATE BOARD OF NURSING IN THE MATTER OF: Mary Wood Pennington As a Registered Nurse Case No. 78-764 Route 2, Box 1480 License Number 59864-2 Palatka, Florida 32077 /
Other Judicial Opinions A party who is adversely affected by this Final Order is entitled to 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 of 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. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I CERTIFY that a true and comect gepy of this Final Order was served on the below-named persons by the method designated on this {30-day of Fora , 2014. Agency for Health Care Administration 2727 Mahan Drive, Bldg. #3, Mail Stop #3 Tallahassee, Florida 32308-5403 Telephone: (850) 412-3630 Jan Mills Shaddrick Haston, Unit Manager Facilities Intake Unit Assisted Living Unit (Electronic Mail) Agency for Health Care Administration (Electronic Mail) Finance & Accounting Patricia R. Caufman, Field Office Manager Revenue Management Unit Areas 5 and 6 (Electronic Mail) Agency for Health Care Administration (Electronic Mail) Katrina Derico-Harris Medicaid Accounts Receivable Agency for Health Care Administration (Electronic Mail) Thomas J. Walsh II, Senior Attorney Office of the General Counsel Agency for Health Care Administration (Electronic Mail) Shawn McCauley Medicaid Contract Management Agency for Health Care Administration (Electronic Mail) Tracy George, Chief Appellate Counsel Office of the General Counsel Agency for Health Care Administration (Electronic Mail) Lynne A. Quimby-Pennock Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings (Electronic Mail) Christina Mesa, Esquire MESA Law, P.A. P.O. Box 10207 Tampa, Florida 33679-0207 Thomas P. Crapps Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings (Electronic Mail) NOTICE OF FLORIDA LAW 408.804 License required; display.-- (1) It is unlawful to provide services that require licensure, or operate or maintain a provider that offers or provides services that require licensure, without first obtaining from the agency a license authorizing the provision of such services or the operation or maintenance of such provider. (2) A license must be displayed in a conspicuous place readily visible to clients who enter at the address that appears on the license and is valid only in the hands of the licensee to whom it is issued and may not be sold, assigned, or otherwise transferred, voluntarily or involuntarily. The license is valid only for the licensee, provider, and location for which the license is issued. 408.812 Unlicensed activity. -- (1) A person or entity may not offer or advertise services that require licensure as defined by this part, authorizing statutes, or applicable rules to the public without obtaining a valid license from the agency. A licenseholder may not advertise or hold out to the public that he or she holds a license for other than that for which he or she actually holds the license. (2) The operation or maintenance of an unlicensed provider or the performance of any services that require licensure without proper licensure is a violation of this part and authorizing statutes. Unlicensed activity constitutes harm that materially affects the health, safety, and welfare of clients. The agency or any state attorney may, in addition to other remedies provided in this part, bring an action for an injunction to restrain such violation, or to enjoin the future operation or maintenance of the unlicensed provider or the performance of any services in violation of this part and authorizing statutes, until compliance with this part, authorizing statutes, and agency rules has been demonstrated to the satisfaction of the agency. (3) 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. Each day of continued operation is a separate offense. (4) Any person or entity that fails to cease operation after agency notification may be fined $1,000 for each day of noncompliance. (5) When a controlling interest or licensee has an interest in more than one provider and fails to license a provider rendering services that require licensure, the agency may revoke all licenses and impose actions under s. 408.814 and a fine of $1,000 per day, unless otherwise specified by authorizing statutes, against each licensee until such time as the appropriate license is obtained for the unlicensed operation. (6) In addition to granting injunctive relief pursuant to subsection (2), if the agency determines that a person or entity is operating or maintaining a provider without obtaining a license and determines that a condition exists that poses a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of a client of the provider, the person or entity is subject to the same actions and fines imposed against a licensee as specified in this part, authorizing statutes, and agency rules. (7) Any person aware of the operation of an unlicensed provider must report that provider to the agency.
Conclusions Having reviewed the Amended Administrative Complaint, the Amended Notice of Intent to Deny Renewal License, the Administrative Complaint, the Agency for Health Care Administration finds ! The Final Order adopts a Settlement Agreement that has applies to parties other than the named Respondent. 2 The Final Order correctly reflects the applicant as the petitioner in the case style for this licensure action. Filed February 18, 2014 10:38 AM Division of Administrative Hearings and concludes as follows: 1. The Agency has jurisdiction over the above-named Provider pursuant to Chapter 408, Part II, Florida Statutes, and the applicable authorizing statutes and administrative code provisions. 2. The Agency issued the attached Amended Administrative Complaint, Amended Notice of Intent to Deny Renewal License, Administrative Complaint and Election of Rights forms to Brandia Presha d/b/a Personal Care I]. (Ex. 1) The Election of Rights forms advised of the right to an administrative hearing. The Settlement Agreement also includes the assisted living facility known as Personal Care, also owned by Brandia Presha. The two assisted living facilities will be referred to as “the Provider.” In addition, the Settlement Agreement includes Tamik Presha. 3. The parties and Tamika Presha have entered into the attached Settlement Agreement. (Ex. 2) Based upon the foregoing, it is ORDERED: 1. The Settlement Agreement is adopted and incorporated by reference into this Final Order. The parties shall comply with the terms of the Settlement Agreement. 2. The Provider’s assisted living facility licenses to operate Personal Care II, license number 8730, and Personal Care [“I”], license number 4829, are VOLUNTARILY SURRENDERED effective December 14, 2014. The Provider may consent to a Change of Ownership (“CHOW”) application with an unrelated party for either or both of the facilities with an effective date of, or prior to, December 14, 2014. Should there not be a CHOW with an effective date of, or prior to, December 14, 2014, the Provider is responsible for the safe and orderly discharge of the facility residents. 3. The Provider and Tamika Presha shall not apply for any type of license issued by the Agency or obtain any interest in any private entity which holds a license issued by the Agency for a period of 5 years of the date of this Final Order. 4. An administrative fine of $2,000.00 is imposed but STAYED against the Provider. The Agency shall not attempt to collect the fine against the Provider absent a breach of this Settlement Agreement. Should either Brandia Presha or Tamika Presha seek any type of license issued by the Agency within five years of the date of this Final Order, the $2,000.00 shall be immediately due and payable and full payment of the fine shall be a condition precedent for any type of Agency license. If payment is to be made, a check made payable to the “Agency for Health Care Administration” and containing the AHCA ten-digit case number(s) should be sent to: Office of Finance and Accounting Revenue Management Unit Agency for Health Care Administration 2727 Mahan Drive, Mail Stop 14 Tallahassee, Florida 32308 5. Should there not be a CHOW, the Provider is responsible for any refunds that may be due to any clients. 6. Should there not be a CHOW, the Provider shall remain responsible for retaining and appropriately distributing client records as prescribed by Florida law. The Provider is advised of Section 408.810, Florida Statutes. The Provider should also consult the applicable authorizing statutes and administrative code provisions as well as any other statute that may apply to health care practitioners regarding client records. 7. Should there not be a CHOW, the Provider is given notice of Florida law regarding unlicensed activity. The Provider is advised of Section 408.804 and Section 408.812, Florida Statutes. The Provider should also consult the applicable authorizing statutes and administrative code provisions. The Provider is notified that the cancellation of an Agency license may have ramifications potentially affecting accrediting, third party billing including but not limited to the Florida Medicaid program, and private contracts. ORDERED at Tallahassee, Florida, on this_/7 day of Alauacey , 2014. Elizabeth Duddk, Secretary Agency for Health Care Administration
Other Judicial Opinions A party who is adversely affected by this Final Order is entitled to 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 of 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. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I CERTIFY that a true and correc y of this Final Order was served on the below-named persons by the method designated on this t? ay of feLyruc cys , 2014. Agency for Health Care Administration 2727 Mahan Drive, Mail Stop 3 Tallahassee, Florida 32308-5403 Telephone: (850) 412-3630 Jan Mills Facilities Intake Unit (Electronic Mail) Shaddrick Haston, Unit Manager Licensure Unit Agency for Health Care Administration (Electronic Mail) Finance & Accounting Revenue Management Unit (Electronic Mail) Patricia Caufman, Field Office Manager Local Field Office Agency for Health Care Administration (Electronic Mail) Katrina Derico-Harris Medicaid Accounts Receivable Agency for Health Care Administration (Electronic Mail) Suzanne Suarez Hurley, Esq. Office of the General Counsel Agency for Health Care Administration (Electronic Mail) Shawn McCauley Medicaid Contract Management Agency for Health Care Administration (Electronic Mail) Corinne Porcher, Esquire Smith & Associates 3301 Thomasville Road, Suite 201 Tallahassee, FL. 32308 (U.S. Mail) Lynne Quimby-Pennock Administrative Law Judge Brandia Presha, Owner/Administrator Personal Care & Personal Care II Division of Administrative Hearings 120 8" Avenue West (Electronic Mail) Bradenton, FL 34208 (U.S. Mail) J. D. Parrish Tamika Presha Administrative Law Judge 120 8"" Avenue West Division of Administrative Hearings Bradenton, FL 34208 (Electronic Mail) (U.S. Mail) NOTICE OF FLORIDA LAW 408.804 License required; display.-- (1) It is unlawful to provide services that require licensure, or operate or maintain a provider that offers or provides services that require licensure, without first obtaining from the agency a license authorizing the provision of such services or the operation or maintenance of such provider. (2) A license must be displayed in a conspicuous place readily visible to clients who enter at the address that appears on the license and is valid only in the hands of the licensee to whom it is issued and may not be sold, assigned, or otherwise transferred, voluntarily or involuntarily. The license is valid only for the licensee, provider, and location for which the license is issued. 408.812 Unlicensed activity.-- (1) A person or entity may not offer or advertise services that require licensure as defined by this part, authorizing statutes, or applicable rules to the public without obtaining a valid license from the agency. A licenseholder may not advertise or hold out to the public that he or she holds a license for other than that for which he or she actually holds the license. (2) The operation or maintenance of an unlicensed provider or the performance of any services that require licensure without proper licensure is a violation of this part and authorizing statutes. Unlicensed activity constitutes harm that materially affects the health, safety, and welfare of clients. The agency or any state attorney may, in addition to other remedies provided in this part, bring an action for an injunction to restrain such violation, or to enjoin the future operation or maintenance of the unlicensed provider or the performance of any services in violation of this part and authorizing statutes, until compliance with this part, authorizing statutes, and agency rules has been demonstrated to the satisfaction of the agency. (3) 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. Each day of continued operation is a separate offense. (4) Any person or entity that fails to cease operation after agency notification may be fined $1,000 for each day of noncompliance. (5) When a controlling interest or licensee has an interest in more than one provider and fails to license a provider rendering services that require licensure, the agency may revoke all licenses and impose actions under s. 408.814 and a fine of $1,000 per day, unless otherwise specified by authorizing statutes, against each licensee until such time as the appropriate license is obtained for the unlicensed operation. (6) In addition to granting injunctive relief pursuant to subsection (2), if the agency determines that a person or entity is operating or maintaining a provider without obtaining a license and determines that a condition exists that poses a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of a client of the provider, the person or entity is subject to the same actions and fines imposed against a licensee as specified in this part, authorizing statutes, and agency rules. (7) Any person aware of the operation of an unlicensed provider must report that provider to the agency.
