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MQA Q4 2014 - 2015
ULA Outreach
The Bureau of Enforcement’s Unlicensed Activity
(ULA) Program protects Florida residents and visitors
from the serious consequences of receiving health
care services from an unlicensed provider. April
through June of 2015 continued to be a busy time for
staff as the program continued its outreach through
speaking engagements and presentations outlining the
program, providing marketing materials and fostering
partnerships. Outreach included:
• The Florida Police Chiefs Association Conference
• Southwest Police Chiefs Association
• Inaugural MQA Lunch and Learn
• 10th Annual Ride for Hope
• Florida Insurance Fraud Education Conference
(FIFEC)
• Marion County Sheriff’s Office
• 2015 International Association of Human
Trafficking Investigators Conference
• Highlands County Sheriff’s Office
• Florida Sheriff’s Association Conference
Law Enforcement Partnership
This quarter, in conjunction with support from local
law enforcement agencies, the Department carried
out Statewide Operation Trigger Point May 13 through
15. The operation culminated in 64 cease and desist
notices served to individuals and establishments
practicing massage or operating a massage
establishment without a license.
To show appreciation for its law enforcement partners,
the Bureau of Enforcement recognized several law
enforcement partners during its annual investigator
training in Orlando. Those recognized include Sergeant
Steve Haller, with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s
Office, Agent William Cain from the Metropolitan
Bureau of Investigation and Sergeant Bobby Green
with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Each office and
individual demonstrated exemplary investigative work,
partnership and responsive efforts while working with
one of the Department’s Investigative Services Units
throughout the state.
Consumers are encouraged to verify the license of
their health care provider by utilizing the
www.flhealthsource.gov website, or calling 877-HALT-
ULA where they can speak directly with an investigator
in the Consumer Services Unit. Suspicious or
potentially unlicensed activity tips can also be emailed
to
haltula@flheath.gov.
June 10 through June 12 MQA’s Bureau of Enforcement joined
Division of Insurance Fraud in attending and presenting at the
annual Florida Insurance Fraud Education Conference (FIFEC).
ULA Liaison Sidronio Casas gave a two-hour educational
presentation titled “Collaboration with Department of Health
on Fraud Investigations,” which counted for continuing
medical education and continuing legal education credits for
those in attendance. There were over 1,200 registrants for
the record-setting conference. Pictured from left to right are:
Chief of Investigative Services Unit (ISU) Chris Ferguson, ULA
administrator Scott Flowers, Central District ISU Manager Matt
Knispel, ULA Liaison Sidronio Casas, Field Operations Manager
Michelle Miller.
Unlicensed Activity
This section explains how MQA stops unlicensed practitioners: those individuals who perform regulated
activities without the proper licensing in Florida, which is generally a felony-level criminal offense. Treatment
by an unlicensed provider is dangerous and could result in further injury, disease or even death. When
practitioners pay their licensing fees, $5 is designated specifically for enforcement of unlicensed activity.
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