The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) today has taken additional steps to remove Larkin-owned Floridian Gardens Assisted Living Facility from the Medicaid program. Floridian Gardens has a history of regulatory issues, and the Agency took action to deny their attempt to renew their license on December 22, 2016. The facility challenged AHCA’s action this January and this case remains pending. AHCA has now amended their denial to include information related to the tragedy at the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills, where 11 individuals tragically lost their lives due to the failure of Larkin management to timely call 911 or evacuate their patients. Floridian Gardens Assisted Living Facility and Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills have common ownership.
Secretary Justin Senior said, “Our Agency will continue to hold health care facilities accountable, and we are fully committed to doing everything in our power to protect patients in Florida. The Floridians Gardens Assisted Living Facility and Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills have demonstrated without a doubt that they do not deserve to be trusted with patient’s lives, especially those who are vulnerable and unable to care for themselves. That is why, in December, we took action to deny the Floridian Gardens Assisted Living Facility’s license renewal and why we are taking additional action today to remove this facility from the Medicaid program. Our Agency will work with our state partners at DCF and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman as well as our Medicaid program and Managed Care health plans to assist with resident notification of a closure, relocation options, and answering any questions that remain, to ensure a smooth transition for residents.”
Please see the timeline below of action AHCA has taken to hold Floridian Gardens Assisted Living Facility and Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills accountable:
December 22, 2016
AHCA issues a Notice of Intent to Deny License Renewal Application to Floridian Gardens Assisted Living Facility in Miami. The facility challenged on January 17, 2017 and this case remains pending.
September 13, 2017
AHCA issues an Immediate Moratorium on Admissions, which stopped new patients from being admitted to the facility, for the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills.
September 14, 2017
AHCA issues an Immediate Suspension Final Order on participation in the Medicaid program to the Rehabilitation Center of Hollywood Hills.
September 20, 2017
AHCA issues a Suspension Order on the license to the Rehabilitation Center of Hollywood Hills, suspending their ability to operate a nursing home, and prohibiting the facility from admitting any patients.
September 22, 2017
AHCA files a motion seeking to issue an Amended Immediate Suspension Final Order on participation in the Medicaid program to the Rehabilitation Center of Hollywood Hills.
September 27, 2017
AHCA issues an Amended Notice of Intent to Deny License Renewal Application to Floridian Gardens Assisted Living Facility, and can be found HERE.
September 27, 2017
AHCA issues a notice to Floridian Gardens Assisted Living Facility outlining the intent to terminate them from the Medicaid program pending the effective date of the denied renewal of the license. This notice is a Sanction Only Final Audit Report, and can be found HERE.
