MQA Quarterly Performance Report

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MQA Q1 2015 - 2016
ULA Outreach
During the first quarter of this fiscal year, the Bureau
of Enforcement’s Unlicensed Activity (ULA) Program
was busy building upon last year’s success. Additional
investigator positions are helping to get more cases
resolved in a shorter amount of time. Outreach efforts
also continue to grow with representatives from the ULA
unit attending and presenting at multiple events during
the quarter.
• Hillsborough staff meeting, Tampa
• Board Chairs / Vice Chairs long-range planning
meeting, Tallahassee
• New investigator training, Ft. Lauderdale
• Basic investigator training, Tallahassee
• Worker’s comp insurance fraud conference, Orlando
• Consumer roundtable event hosted by Florida Bar,
Tallahassee
• Pain Management Clinic investigator and inspector
training, Tampa
• Florida Sheriff’s Association Summer Conference, Ft.
Lauderdale
• Florida Psychological Association presentation,
Orlando
• Florida Police Chief’s Association summer expo,
Orlando
Law Enforcement Partnership
The ULA unit always works closely with law enforcement
around the state, and several investigations and
operations led to arrests during this quarter. One such
high-profile case resulted in multiple arrests including
a fugitive arrest of Nery Carvajal Gonzalez, as she
attempted to re-enter the United States. Representatives
from the ULA unit continue to work closely with local law
enforcement counterparts to maintain a presence at
statewide conferences such as the Florida Police Chief’s
summer expo and the Florida Sheriff’s Association
summer conference. Events such as these allow the
unit to provide educational material to those in the
law enforcement community, make vital contacts, and
support and foster the relationships that ensure the
safety of our investigators and growth of our program.
Consumers are encouraged to verify the license of their
health care provider by utilizing the
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
ULA Liaison Sidronio “Chilo” Casas has been a critical component
of ULA’s growing outreaching efforts. (Photo Courtesy of the
Orlando Sentinel, 2015).
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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