Court Opinion

ID: 8311506
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-10-17 14:05:19.154824+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:44:44.742358
License: Public Domain

NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
                 APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION

                                    SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
                                    APPELLATE DIVISION
                                    DOCKET NO. A-4284-19

C.L.,

        Petitioner-Appellant,              APPROVED FOR PUBLICATION
                                                 October 17, 2022
v.
                                              APPELLATE DIVISION

DIVISION OF MEDICAL
ASSISTANCE AND HEALTH
SERVICES,

        Respondents-Respondents,

and

BERGEN COUNTY
BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES,

        Respondent.

              Submitted September 28, 2022 – Decided October 17, 2022

              Before Judges Whipple, Mawla, and Marczyk.

              On appeal from the New Jersey Department of Human
              Services, Division of Medical Assistance and Health
              Services.

              Fink Rosner Ershow-Levenberg Marinaro, LLC,
              attorneys for appellant (Linda S. Ershow-Levenberg,
              on the briefs).
              Matthew J. Platkin, Acting Attorney General, attorney
              for respondent (Melissa H. Raksa, Assistant Attorney
              General, of counsel; Jacqueline R. D'Alessandro,
              Deputy Attorney General, on the brief).

      The opinion of the court was delivered by

MARCZYK, J.S.C., t/a

      C.L. appeals from a Final Agency Decision (FAD) from the Division of

Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) denying her request for

Medicaid benefits due to excess resources. Specifically, DMAHS determined

an annuity C.L. purchased, which she understood to be irrevocable, was

revocable and counted as a resource, thereby disqualifying her from Medicaid

benefits. Following our review of the record and applicable legal principles,

we reverse.

                                       I.

      C.L. purchased an annuity contract with the Croatian Fraternal Union of

America (CFUA) as part of a spend-down plan to qualify for Medicaid

benefits. The annuity contract provides C.L. had a right to rescind the contract

within ten days of receipt if she wanted to receive a complete refund of her

money.1 The contract also states after the ten-day rescission period, it: "(1) is

1
  As part of her application, signed and dated May 20, 2019, C.L. signed an
acknowledgements page which stated in part, "I understand that this annuity is
non-transferrable, non-assignable, non-commutable, non-surrenderable, and

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irrevocable and immediate; (2) may not be transferred, assigned, surrendered,

or commuted; and (3) has no cash or loan value" (Irrevocability Clause). The

dispute in this matter arises from DMAHS's interpretation of language

contained in the annuity contract's application, which is incorporated by

reference into the contract.        The provision, at issue, states the parties

"understand     .   .   .   only   the   National   President   or   the   National

Secretary/Treasurer of the [CFUA] may, in writing, make or change the

contract or waive any of its rights or requirements" (Amendment Clause).

      In June 2019, C.L. applied for Medicaid benefits through the Bergen

County Board of Social Services (BCBSS). On September 23, 2019, BCBSS

denied her application on the basis her resources exceeded the maximum

required under Medicaid law because of the CFUA annuity. Thereafter, C.L.

____________________
permanently irrevocable." On June 7, 2019, a letter from CFUA addressed to
C.L., stated in part:

              Please be advised that your single life fixed benefit
              annuity . . . is irrevocable. It may not be transferred,
              assigned, surrendered, or commuted. Furthermore, it
              has zero cash or loan value . . . . Please know that the
              [CFUA] will deny any request to change any . . . terms
              or conditions of the contract, once the contract has
              been issued.

On June 11, 2019, the broker sent a letter to C.L., which included the annuity
contract. The letter reiterated that the annuity is "irrevocable, non-assignable,
and offers zero cash or loan value." (Emphasis added).

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                                          3
filed for a fair hearing before DMAHS, which transmitted the matter to the

Office of Administrative Law (OAL) as a contested case.

      The primary issue before the administrative law judge (ALJ) was

whether BCBSS's decision to count the CFUA annuity as a resource was

correct.   A BCBSS representative testified that in reaching its conclusion,

BCBSS focused on the similarities between C.L.'s application and a prior case

from Ocean County involving M.M., in which the applicant also purchased an

annuity from the CFUA.2 Edward Pazo, CFUA's president, testified regarding

M.M.'s case and the annuity contract at issue in this matter.

      M.M.'s annuity contract had language identical to C.L.'s contract

regarding irrevocability and the Amendment Clause.          M.M. applied for a

CFUA annuity, but later asked the CFUA to extend the payment by one month

because there was a calculation error in the initial application. Pazo testified

that because of the calculation error, he permitted the length of payment to be

extended by one month, but the CFUA did not revoke the contract nor did the

annuitant ever ask for the money back. He testified "for processing purposes,

2
  M.M. v. Div. of Med. Assistance & Health Servs., No. HMA 1057-19, final
decision (June 19, 2019) (slip op.)
http://njlaw.rutgers.edu/collections/oal/final/hma01057-19_1.pdf.

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                                        4
we assigned it a new contract number" to keep track of the annuity.            He

emphasized M.M.'s contract remained irrevocable without any cash surrender. 3

      On March 17, 2020, the ALJ affirmed BCBSS's decision based on the

Amendment Clause and the CFUA amending the annuity contract in M.M.'s

case. In short, the ALJ determined the contract was revocable. On March 25,

2020, C.L. filed timely exceptions primarily based on an injunction entered

against DMAHS in federal court concerning another CFUA annuitant and

involving the same Irrevocability and Amendment Clauses.4          On June 16,

2020, DMAHS entered a FAD, which affirmed the ALJ's decision.

Specifically, the FAD noted the annuity contract at issue was a revocable

contract thereby rendering it a resource. On July 28, 2020, C.L. also filed for a

preliminary injunction in federal court and subsequently filed this appeal on

July 29, 2020. On September 10, 2020, with the consent of the Attorney

3
   Pazo believed the contract referenced and incorporated the Amendment
Clause to comply with regulatory changes and governmental rulings that
would require the CFUA to amend its contracts.
4
    The federal court specifically enjoined DMAHS from "continuing to
enforce; or directing their employees, subordinate, attorneys, and assigns to
enforce; a policy that an annuity contract issued by the [CFUA], which is
subject to a provision that the 'National President or Secretary/Treasurer of the
[CFUA] may, in writing, make or change a contract or waive any of its rights
or requirements,' be counted as an available resource, due to the presence of
that term." Cushing v. Jacobs, No. 20-cv-130, 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 51351,
at *11 (D.N.J. Mar. 25, 2020).

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                                       5
General, this appeal was stayed until December 2020. The federal court never

addressed the request for the injunction and C.L. proceeded with this appeal. 5

                                       II.

       C.L. argues when an annuitant cannot liquidate an annuity, it cannot be

treated as a resource. 20 C.F.R. 416.1201(a). Further, after the ten-day "free

look" period, she did not have the unilateral right to revoke the annuity

contract or demand a return of the premium. C.L. asserts there was nothing in

the Amendment Clause or any other part of the contract that gives C.L. the

right to revoke the annuity. Although the application indicates the president or

treasurer has the power to amend the contract, that does not confer any legal

rights upon C.L. She contends, "at most [the clause is] merely a notice . . . for

[regulatory] compliance purposes."

       C.L. argues the CFUA issued the annuity contract, including the

Amendment Clause, with the approval of the State Division of Banking and

Insurance (DOBI) and sold it as an "irrevocable annuity contract." DMAHS

ignored this fact and mistakenly treated the contract as if it were revocable.

Finally, C.L. contends DMAHS's reliance on M.M.'s case is wholly inapposite,

5
    C.L. passed away while this appeal was pending.

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                                       6
because the annuitant there did not receive her money back and instead

received a modified annuity.6

                                       III.

      We begin by addressing our standard of review and general governing

legal principles. This court's review of DMAHS's determination is ordinarily

limited. Barone v. Dep't of Human Servs., Div. of Med. Assistance & Health

Servs., 210 N.J. Super. 276, 285 (App. Div. 1986) ("We must give due

deference to the views and regulations of an administrative agency charged

with the responsibility of implementing legislative determinations."); see also

Wnuck v. N.J. Div. of Motor Vehicles, 337 N.J. Super. 52, 56 (App. Div.

2001) ("It is settled that [a]n administrative agency's interpretation of statutes

and regulations within its implementing and enforcing responsibility is

ordinarily entitled to our deference.") (alteration in original) (citations and

internal quotation marks omitted). "Where [an] action of an administrative

agency is challenged, a presumption of reasonableness attaches to the action of

an administrative agency[,] and the party who challenges the validity of that

action has the burden of showing that it was arbitrary, unreasonable or

capricious." Barone, 210 N.J. Super. at 285 (citation and internal quotation

6
   C.L. further contends DMAHS's FAD violated the federal injunction and
violated the standards for rulemaking.

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                                        7
marks omitted).    "Delegation of authority to an administrative agency is

construed liberally when the agency is concerned with the protection of the

health and welfare of the public." Ibid. Thus, ordinarily our task is limited to

deciding:

            (1) whether the agency's decision offends the State or
            Federal Constitution; (2) whether the agency's action
            violates express or implied legislative policies; (3)
            whether the record contains substantial evidence to
            support the findings on which the agency based its
            action; and (4) whether in applying the legislative
            policies to the facts, the agency clearly erred in
            reaching a conclusion that could not reasonably have
            been made on a showing of the relevant factors.

            [A.B. v. Div. of Med. Assistance & Health Servs., 407
            N.J. Super. 330, 339 (App. Div. 2009) (citation
            omitted).]

      Nevertheless, we are "in no way bound by the agency's interpretation of

a statute or its determination of a strictly legal issue." R.S. v. Div. of Med.

Assistance & Health Servs., 434 N.J. Super. 250, 261 (App. Div. 2014)

(quoting Mayflower Sec. Co. v. Bureau of Sec. in Div. of Consumer Affs. of

Dep't of L. & Pub. Safety, 64 N.J. 85, 93 (1973)).            "[If] an agency's

determination . . . is a legal determination, our review is de novo." L.A. v. Bd.

of Educ. of City of Trenton, Mercer Cty., 221 N.J. 192, 204 (2015) (citation

omitted).

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                                       8
      "We do not . . . simply rubber stamp the agency's decision." Paff v. N.J.

Dep't of Lab., 392 N.J. Super. 334, 340 (App. Div. 2007) (citing Henry v.

Rahway State Prison, 81 N.J. 571, 579-80 (1980)). Instead, we will "intervene

. . . in those . . . circumstances in which an agency action is clearly

inconsistent with its statutory mission or other state policy." In re Musick, 143

N.J. 206, 216 (1996).    Since the issue before us presents a legal question

involving an interpretation of an annuity contract, we are not bound by

DMAHS's decision, and our review is de novo.

                                      IV.

      The issue presented is whether, despite the express language in the

annuity contract concerning irrevocability, the Amendment Clause renders the

annuity revocable and, therefore, a resource 7 under New Jersey's Medicaid

provisions.

      In interpreting a contract, we are guided by well-established principles.

"A basic principle of contract interpretation is to read the document as a whole

in a fair and common sense manner." Hardy ex rel. Dowdell v. Abdul–Matin,

7
   A resource is defined as "cash or other liquid assets or any real or personal
property that an individual (or spouse, if any) owns and could convert to cash
to be used for his or her support and maintenance." 20 C.F.R. § 416.1201(a).
Similarly, New Jersey regulations define a resource as "any real or personal
property which is owned . . . and which could be converted to cash . . . ."
N.J.A.C. 10:71–4.1(b).

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198 N.J. 95, 103 (2009). If we find the terms "are clear and unambiguous,

there is no room for construction and the court must enforce those terms as

written," in addition to giving them "'their plain, ordinary meaning.'" Watson

v. City of E. Orange, 175 N.J. 442, 447 (2003) (Long J., dissenting); Pizzullo

v. N.J. Mfrs. Ins. Co., 196 N.J. 251, 270 (2008) (quoting Zacarias v. Allstate

Ins. Co., 168 N.J. 590, 595 (2001)).

      Importantly, "[a] contract 'should not be interpreted to render one of its

terms meaningless.'" Porreca v. City of Millville, 419 N.J. Super. 212, 233

(App. Div. 2011) (quoting Cumberland Cty. Improvement Auth. v. GSP

Recycling Co., 358 N.J. Super. 484, 497 (App. Div. 2003)). Further, when

interpreting a contract, "[s]o long as it leads to a result in harmony with the

contracting parties' overall objective a specific, defined term controls a

general, undefined term." Gil v. Clara Maass Med. Ctr., 450 N.J. Super. 368,

378 (App. Div. 2017). Therefore, when both general language of a contract

and specific language address the same issue, the specific language controls.

See, e.g., Homesite Ins. Co. v. Hindman, 413 N.J. Super. 41, 48 (App. Div.

2010) (referencing "the well-recognized rule of construction that when two

provisions dealing with the same subject matter are present, the more specific

provision controls over the more general").

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                                       10
      Guided by these standards, we determine the annuity was irrevocable and

should not be considered a resource.      To qualify for Medicaid benefits, an

individual may not have more than $2,000 in countable assets.            Annuities

purchased by Medicaid applicants are not countable assets if they meet certain

criteria, including irrevocability.   See 42 U.S.C. § 1396p(c)(1)(G)(ii).         42

U.S.C. § 1396p(c)(1)(G)(ii) provides that a purchased annuity is considered an

"asset" unless the annuity is (1) irrevocable and nonassignable, (2) actuarially

sound, and (3) provides for payments in equal amounts during the term or the

annuity, with no deferral or balloon payments.

      Here, the annuity contract provides:

            Irrevocable. This contract: (1) is irrevocable and
            immediate (2) may not be transferred, assigned,
            surrendered or commuted; and (3) has not cash or loan
            value. The Annuitant may not be changed. No
            change maybe be made: (1) in the Benefit Period; or
            (2) in the frequency for payment.

The Amendment Clause language in the application, incorporated by reference

into the contract, states: "[o]nly the National President or the National

Secretary/Treasurer of the [CFUA] may, in writing, make or change the

contract or waive any of its rights or requirements."8 DMAHS relies on this

8
   Although not dispositive of our holding in this matter, we note N.J.A.C.
11:4-43.1(a) provides "[t]his subchapter . . . [sets] forth standards and
requirements that individual annuity contract forms . . . issued . . . in this State

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                                        11
Amendment Clause, coupled with the testimony of the CFUA president that he

permitted an annuitant to amend an annuity because of a miscalculation, for

the proposition that the entire annuity contract is revocable.       We are not

persuaded by this argument.

      We conclude the CFUA annuity contract is unambiguous and that it is

irrevocable. The plain, ordinary meaning of the annuity contract language

("irrevocable,"   "may   not   be   transferred,   assigned,   surrendered[,]    or

commuted," no "cash . . . value") makes clear the CFUA intended for the

annuity to be irrevocable and it was reasonable for C.L. to view it as such.

Whether the CFUA president properly allowed an annuitant on a prior

occasion to amend an annuity is not germane to our analysis.           To adopt

DMAHS's argument would require us to ignore the unambiguous language of

the contract concerning irrevocability. We decline to do so because it would

render the irrevocable provisions irrelevant; a result we should avoid. Porreca,
____________________
are required to satisfy in order to obtain approval from the Commissioner. "
Subchapter 43 generally addresses "Individual Annuity Contract Form
Standards." N.J.A.C. 11:4-43.3(f) provides an annuity contract form "may
contain language that permits the insurer unilaterally to amend or modify the
form to satisfy any applicable law. However, the owner shall be permitted to
refuse any such change unless noncompliance would cause the contract to be
null and void or fail to comply with New Jersey or Federal law." Although the
Amendment Clause does not exactly mirror N.J.A.C. 11:4-43.3(f), it appears it
is derived from this provision. Moreover, as more fully discussed below, the
annuity at issue had to be filed with the Insurance Commissioner prior to being
issued in New Jersey. N.J.A.C. 11:4-43.3(a).

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                                       12
419 N.J. Super. at 233.     Moreover, we view the Amendment Clause as a

general provision when compared to the explicit and specific irrevocability

provisions of the contract. Accordingly, the Irrevocability Clause controls the

general, undefined Amendment Clause.          See Gil, 450 N.J. Super. at 378.

Lastly, the Amendment Clause contains permissive language, namely, the

president "may" make changes, and certainly does not confer any rights on the

annuitant to change the irrevocable nature of the contract.

      Our analysis is further buttressed by reference to the DOBI regulations

concerning annuities. N.J.A.C. 11:4-40.3(b) provides no annuity contract in

New Jersey "shall contain provisions which are unjust, unfair, inequitable,

misleading or contrary to law or to the public policy of this State." Moreover,

N.J.A.C. 11:4-40.5(a) states: "No insurer shall . . . issue . . . in this State any

form unless the form has been approved by the Commissioner pursuant to the

procedures set forth in this subchapter . . . ." There is no indication DOBI did

not approve this annuity contract.      DMAHS's argument is essentially the

contract—which DOBI approved—is misleading and its irrevocability clauses

should be disregarded.      DMAHS's contentions are unavailing.           In fact,

DMAHS's interpretation would render the contract "misleading" contrary to

N.J.A.C. 11:4-40.3.

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                                        13
      C.L. should not be prejudiced because the CFUA on a prior occasion

amended an annuity to correct a miscalculation.       C.L. never attempted to

revoke her annuity, and there is no indication she could have done so in any

event, given the language of the contract. There is simply no indication C.L.

could unilaterally liquidate the annuity. Accordingly, we determine the CFUA

annuity contract is irrevocable for the purposes of qualifying for Medicaid

Benefits and should not be considered as a resource for C.L. 9

      Reversed.

9
  Because we have reversed DMAHS's FAD, we do not reach C.L.'s argument
DMAHS violated the federal injunction by finding the annuity contract is
revocable and her argument DMAHS violated the standards for rulemaking.

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