Orlando-based Assisted Living Facilities Appeal ALJ Decision, Win Case Against AHCA
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Two related assisted living facilities (ALFs) based in Orlando won a case against the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) on appeal. The First District Court of Appeal heard the case and filed an opinion in favor of […]
Appeal Court Rules AHCA Was Justified in Withdrawing Home Health Agency’s License Application
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law The First District Court of Appeal has ruled that the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) had substantial justification to withdraw a home health agency’s application for licensure in a recent case. To view the opinion, click here. […]
If Denial of Licensure is Disciplinary in Nature, Then Agency Must Prove Case by “Clear and Convincing Evidence”
The foregoing case summary was prepared by Mary F. Smallwood, Esquire, of The Administrative Law Section of The Florida Bar. Davis Family Day Care Home (“Davis”) was issued a license as a family day care home in 2007. Davis applied annually for renewal of that license. In 2011, Davis applied for renewal of its license […]
Invoking Fifth Amendment by Applicant’s Personnel May Result in Denial of Their Application for a License
The foregoing case summary was prepared by and appeared in the DOAH case notes of the Administrative Law Section newsletter FACTS: The Agency for Health Care Administration (“AHCA”) denied Avalon Assisted Living III’s (“Avalon III”) application for licensure of an assisted living facility in Orlando. Avalon III challenged the denial, and the case was referred […]
AHCA Expert Not Allowed to “Use His Discretion” in Deciding Claims Were Improper in Medicaid Appeal Hearing
FACTS: The Agency for Health Care Administration’s (“AHCA”) Office of Medicaid Program Integrity audited Dr. Rao, an authorized provider of Medicaid services, for claims between July 1, 2007, and June 30, 2009, and found him to be in violation of certain Medicaid provider policies. AHCA prepared a Final Audit Letter on June 1, 2011, notifying […]
Physician Argues Definition of “Peer” at Formal Administrative Hearing

FACTS: The Agency for Health Care Administration (“AHCA”) is responsible for administering Florida’s Medicaid program and conducting investigations and audits of paid claims to ascertain if Medicaid providers have been overpaid. With regard to investigations of physicians, section 409.9131, Florida Statutes, provides that AHCA must have a “peer” evaluate Medicaid claims before the initiation of formal […]
Cancer Patients Must Provide DOH Approval for Seizures and Muscle Spasms, or May Be Unqualified for Low-THC Medical Marijuana
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The Health Law Firm Attorneys Often Represent Massage Therapists in Last Minute Depositions and Hearings
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Our attorneys often receive calls from massage therapists regarding the possibility of representing them on short notice at a Board of Massage Therapy hearing, or at a deposition related to a health care matter. We Take Last Minute […]
Administrative Law Judge Recommends Dismissal of All Charges Against Massage Therapist
FACTS: As reported in the June 2013 edition of DOAH Case Notes, Guiping Diamond graduated from the Florida College of Natural Health (“FCNH”) and became a Florida-licensed massage therapist in 2009. However, FCNH’s former registrar falsely told her that FCNH would accept all of the credits from her previous school and that those transfer credits […]
Nurses: Contact The Health Law Firm for Representation in Last Minute Depositions and Hearings
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law We often receive calls from health professionals, including registered nurses (RNs), advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), nurse midwives and nurse practitioners regarding the possibility of representing them on short […]
Need Last Minute Deposition or Hearing Representation? Call The Health Law Firm
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Our office often takes phone calls from pharmacies and pharmacists needing short-notice representation at a Board of Pharmacy hearing or at a deposition related to a health care matter. In our experience, many other law firms refuse to […]
Dentists: Call The Health Law Firm Attorneys From Representation in Short-Notice Depositions and Hearings
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Our attorneys often receive calls from dentists and other health professionals regarding the possibility of representing them on short notice at a Board of Dentistry hearing, or at a deposition related to a health care matter. We Take […]
Administrative Final Orders Must State Findings of Fact Based on the Evidence Presented
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Health Law Following is a summary of a recent appellate case on an issue relevant to health law: Borges v. Dep’t of Health, 143 So. 3d 1185 (Fla. 3d DCA 2014). Gustavo Borges (Borges) appealed a final order of the […]
Our Firm Often Represents Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Mental Health Counselors, Social Workers and Other Mental Health Professionals in Last Minute Depositions and Hearings
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Our attorneys often receive calls from psychiatrists, mental health counselors, social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists and other mental health professionals regarding the possibility of representing them on short notice at a hearing before the Board of […]