Court Opinion

ID: 4650421
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-01-11 16:11:48.245229+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:01:32.958932
License: Public Domain

IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

Donald Paul, by and through                         :
Julia Ribaudo Senior Center,                        :
                         Petitioner                 :
                                                    :        No. 303 C.D. 2020
                v.                                  :        Submitted: December 7, 2020
                                                    :
Department of Human Services,                       :
                      Respondent                    :

BEFORE:        HONORABLE P. KEVIN BROBSON, Judge1
               HONORABLE J. ANDREW CROMPTON, Judge
               HONORABLE BONNIE BRIGANCE LEADBETTER, Senior Judge

OPINION NOT REPORTED

MEMORANDUM OPINION
BY JUDGE CROMPTON                                   FILED: January 11, 2021

               Donald Paul (Resident), by and through Julia Ribaudo Senior Center
(Facility) (collectively, Petitioner), petitions for review from an order of the
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ (DHS), Bureau of Hearings and
Appeals (BHA), affirming the decision and order of an administrative law judge
(ALJ) deeming Resident ineligible for Medicaid2 benefits for nursing care at Facility
as of a certain date. Discerning no error below, we affirm.

       1
        The decision in this case was reached prior to January 4, 2021, when Judge Brobson
became President Judge.

       2
         Title XIX of the Social Security Act (Act), 42 U.S.C. §§1396-1396p, known as Medicaid,
is a cooperative federal-state program in which participating states like Pennsylvania must comply
with the requirements of the Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
                                   I. Background
             In 2018, at the age of 78, Resident was admitted to Facility, a long-term
care (LTC) home. At the time, he suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD), hypertension, and mild to moderate dementia. See ALJ Dec.,
2/21/20, Finding of Fact (F.F.) No. 2. He was ambulatory with use of a wheelchair.
Through his Medical Assistance (MA) representative, Resident filed an application
for Medicaid benefits, specifically, MA/LTC benefits, on February 21, 2018, for
nursing facility care. The Wayne County Assistance Office (CAO) found Resident
financially eligible; however, in addition to a financial assessment, there is a level
of care assessment to determine eligibility for reimbursement, which is performed
by the County Area Agency on Aging (Aging). See 55 Pa. Code §1181.53.
             The care assessment evaluates independent living skills, which include
meal preparation, laundry, money management, and medication management
(IADLs), as well as the activities of daily living (ADLs). ADLs include dressing,
bathing, eating, toileting, shopping, telephone usage, and transportation.
             Aging received the referral for a level of care assessment of Resident
on April 10, 2018, and performed the requested assessment on April 18, 2018. At
that time (April 2018), Resident was deemed Nursing Facility Ineligible (NFI). A
notice of the assessment was sent to Resident on May 10, 2018, which he timely
appealed. Reproduced Record (R.R.) at 99a.
             Another assessment was performed on July 2, 2018, by the same
assessor. As the findings were nearly identical, Resident was again deemed NFI.
Then, on November 6, 2018, the assessor conducted a third assessment that found
Resident clinically eligible due to a change in his cognitive status. As such, Resident
qualified for MA/LTC benefits at that higher level of care.

                                          2
             On behalf of the BHA, on December 4, 2019, an ALJ held a hearing
regarding the NFI determinations. The Medical Director of the Facility, Dr. Patrick
Furin (Medical Director), who was also Resident’s treating physician, testified on
Resident’s behalf. In support of the CAO, the intake caseworker (Caseworker), who
performed the financial assessment, and the Assessor for Aging (Assessor), who
performed the care assessments underlying the NFI determinations, testified.
             Medical Director, who is board certified in geriatrics, opined as to the
level of care Resident needed. He performed thousands of care assessments over his
30-year career. He had monthly appointments with Resident and saw him almost
daily at the Facility, so he was familiar with Resident’s condition, particularly his
cognitive deficits and impaired judgment. He confirmed Resident had mild to
moderate dementia, which became more apparent in longer conversations. Medical
Director testified that Resident can disguise his impairment because he is able to
appear high-functioning. He performed a mini-mental status test, the results of which
he discussed; however, neither the testing tool nor the results were submitted to the
ALJ. On cross-examination, Medical Director acknowledged that Resident could
function in a personal care home (a lesser level of care), with 24-hour supervision.
R.R. at 122a.
             Assessor, a certified assessor with a master’s degree in public health,
testified about the April 2018 and July 2018 assessments of Resident. She used a
standardized method of assessment (St. Louis University Mental Status test) and
submitted both assessments as exhibits in the hearing. See R.R. at 17a-33a (April); 35a-
52a (July). The most recent assessment (November 2018) revealed Resident’s moderate
dementia. Id. at 116a. Assessor did not specialize in assessing geriatric patients.

                                            3
               Assessor reviewed the results of the April and July 2018 assessments.
The April assessment showed Resident could perform ADLs (grooming, dressing,
bathing, etc.) unassisted. The July assessment showed Resident independently completed
certain daily living skills, including bathing, toileting, dressing, telephone usage,
transportation, and shopping. F.F. No. 16. It also confirmed Resident was capable of
meal preparation, housework, and laundry were he not in a nursing facility. F.F. No. 17.
               Following a hearing, the ALJ issued a decision on February 21, 2020,
regarding whether the denial of MA/LTC benefits for Resident prior to November
2018 was appropriate based on his nursing care eligibility. See R.R. at 62a. The
ALJ decision upheld the NFI determinations, noting that Resident was able to
complete most of his activities of daily living independently, and he was therefore
medically ineligible at all relevant times prior to November 6, 2018. The ALJ
evaluated the payment conditions for MA, which requires a medical evaluation
under 55 Pa. Code §1181.53(b). The BHA affirmed the ALJ’s decision by final
administrative order dated February 25, 2020. R.R. at 63a. Though Petitioner sought
reconsideration in March, the Secretary of Human Services did not act on it timely.
               Petitioner filed a petition for review of the merits order to this Court.
After briefing, the matter is ready for disposition.
                                        II. Discussion
               On appeal,3 Resident challenges the date for approval of MA/LTC
reimbursement, arguing the NFI determinations were erroneous such that his
eligibility date should have been earlier. Primarily, Petitioner argues the BHA erred
in not crediting Medical Director’s testimony more than Assessor’s testimony

       3
         Our review of a decision by the BHA is limited to determining whether the adjudication
is supported by substantial evidence, whether the decision is in accordance with the applicable
law, or whether constitutional rights are violated. See Support Ctr. for Child Advocs. v. Dep’t of
Hum. Servs., 189 A.3d 497 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2018).

                                                4
regarding Resident’s cognition and need for long-term nursing care in April 2018
instead of November 2018. Petitioner complains that the ALJ did not make specific
credibility determinations or adequately explain her evaluation of Medical
Director’s testimony, and so did not fully perform her fact-finding function.
                 DHS counters that the BHA’s decision is supported by substantial
evidence, including Medical Director’s testimony, which corroborates Resident’s
independent functioning. DHS also notes that Medical Director’s testimony was not
supported by test results. In addition, DHS emphasizes that weighing the evidence is
the factfinder’s role, not that of this Court.
                                 A. Nursing Care/LTC Eligibility
                 DHS, through the CAO, assesses a resident’s medical care needs as part
of an eligibility determination for MA benefits. See generally 55 Pa. Code, Chapter
1181 (Nursing Facility Care). Specifically, Section 1181.53, entitled “Payment
conditions related to the recipient’s initial need for care,” requires a medical
evaluation prior to authorizing payment of MA/LTC benefits as follows:

       (b) Medical evaluation. The medical evaluation shall consist of the
       following:

       (1) Before admission to a facility for skilled nursing care or before
       authorization of payment, the attending physician shall make a medical
       evaluation of the applicant’s or recipient’s need for skilled nursing care.

       (2) Before the latter of the admission of an applicant or recipient to a
       skilled nursing facility or [DHS’s] authorization of payment for skilled
       nursing care, an applicant or recipient shall be determined to be
       medically eligible for skilled nursing care in accordance with the
       criteria specified in Appendix E (relating to skilled nursing care).[4]

       4
           The definition of “nursing facility services” in the Act states in pertinent part:

(Footnote continued on next page…)

                                                    5
       Skilled Nursing Care Assessment forms which are designed to enable
       [DHS] to determine whether the criteria specified in Appendix E are
       met by a recipient, will be supplied by [DHS]. The form shall be
       completed by a physician.

                                             ****

       (5) The evaluations required in this subsection shall be recorded on the
       patient’s medical record and on forms issued by [DHS] and forwarded
       to [DHS] for review and assessment. [DHS’s] Review Team will
       evaluate the need for admission and authorize payment for the
       appropriate level of care.

       (6) [DHS] will send a written notice of the authorization or denial of
       payment to the nursing facility and the patient.

       (7) The notice will indicate the effective date of coverage and the
       amount of money the patient has available to contribute toward the
       interim per diem rate. Obtaining the patient’s share of the interim per
       diem rate is the responsibility of the nursing facility.

55 Pa. Code §1181.53(b) (emphasis added). A resident’s eligibility for MA benefits
is determined based on the assessment of the type of care the resident needs.
              This Court recognizes that: “Eligibility determinations are made on a
case by case basis, based on the following criteria: age of the patient, overall medical
condition of the patient, diagnosis and presenting signs and symptoms, length of
hospital stay, medications, and services and treatment needs.” Fifty Residents of
Park Pleasant Nursing Home v. Dep’t of Pub. Welfare, 503 A.2d 1057, 1058-59 (Pa.
Cmwlth. 1986). Thus, we acknowledged that DHS considers a “patient’s overall
condition when making level of care recommendations.” Id. at 1059.

       [T]he term “nursing facility services” means services which are or were required to
       be given an individual who needs or needed on a daily basis nursing care (provided
       directly by or requiring the supervision of nursing personnel) . . . which as a
       practical matter can only be provided in a nursing facility on an inpatient basis.

42 U.S.C. §1396d(f).

                                               6
             The ALJ, on BHA’s behalf, serves as the factfinder regarding eligibility
determinations. See Gardens Nursing Home, Inc. v. Dep’t of Health, 382 A.2d 1273
(Pa. Cmwlth. 1978) (en banc). As factfinder, the ALJ is permitted to make her own
credibility determinations and weigh the evidence submitted, and resolve any
conflicting evidence. See Palmer v. Dep’t of Pub. Welfare, 291 A.2d 313, 317 (Pa.
Cmwlth. 1972) (en banc).
             Our discussion of the process and appellate review of conflicting
medical opinions in Goodman v. Department of Public Welfare, 695 A.2d 945 (Pa.
Cmwlth. 1997), is instructive. There, the county evaluated the resident’s level of
care and “concluded that [the resident] did not require intermediate care, which
entailed the presence of 24-hour nursing staff, but that she could function just as well
in a personal care home where [she] would have supervision but not a 24-hour
nursing presence.” Id. at 946. However, unlike the instant case, the hearing officer
in Goodman did not make any findings regarding the assessments or suggest reasons
for upholding the benefits denial. As a result, we vacated the decision and remanded
the matter for the hearing officer to make findings regarding the evidence presented,
and the reason for relying on one medical expert over another.
             In contrast to Goodman, the ALJ’s decision here contains 24 findings
of fact and summarizes the witnesses’ testimony. See R.R. at 75a-84a. She made
specific findings regarding each of Resident’s level of care assessments. See F.F.
Nos. 5-10 (for April assessment), 15-18 (for July assessment). She found the
assessments in both April and July 2018 showed Resident was able to perform ADLs
and independent living skills, including the ability to travel with family on the
weekends.    Significantly, with regard to Medical Director’s testimony, in the
findings portion of the adjudication, the ALJ found: “Under questioning from the

                                           7
ALJ, [Medical Director] testified that he performed a ‘mini mental status’ exam of
[Resident]; however, this was not a standardized test. [Medical Director] indicated
that [Resident’s] dementia had been documented as mild or moderate and not beyond
moderate. [Medical Director] agreed that [Resident] was able to complete his ADLs
and IADLs independently.” ALJ Adj. at 4 (unpaginated). The ALJ’s questions to
both Assessor and Medical Director focused on the testing tool used. See R.R. at
123a-25a (Medical Director).
              Also, this Court has declined to adopt the “treating physician rule”
employed in social security disability cases that gives greater weight to a treating
physician (like Medical Director) than to another medical expert based on the doctor-
patient relationship. Goodman, 695 A.2d at 949. Thus, pursuant to our case law,
the Medical Director’s testimony was not entitled to greater weight based on his
status as Resident’s treating physician.5 Id.
              Because the ALJ discussed the testimony and made findings on same,
the ALJ performed her role in assessing the eligibility determination of Resident.
Accordingly, the BHA did not err in adopting the ALJ’s adjudication.
                             B. NFI Determination of Resident
              There is no dispute that Resident qualifies for MA/LTC benefits as of
the date of the third care assessment in November 2018. Assessor noted a change in
Resident’s cognition, indicating mental impairment in memory and in judgment that
warranted the higher level of care offered by a nursing facility. However, Petitioner
challenges the basis for the ALJ’s decision to uphold the earlier NFI determinations,
asserting that the ALJ: (1) did not adequately explain her credibility determinations;

       5
         Though Medical Director identified himself as Resident’s “treating physician” during the
hearing, Reproduced Record at 78a, the April and July 2018 assessments identify another doctor
as Resident’s primary physician.

                                               8
and (2) erred in discounting Medical Director’s opinion regarding Resident’s condition
when he had regular, direct interaction with Resident and was his treating physician.
               Primarily, Petitioner assigns error in that the ALJ did not fully explain
her decision to credit Assessor’s testimony more than that of Medical Director who
saw Resident regularly and treated his medical conditions in monthly appointments.
However, an ALJ reviewing a level of care determination is not required to make
specific credibility determinations. See C.R. v. Dep’t of Pub. Welfare (Pa. Cmwlth.,
No. 2067 C.D. 2011, filed May 15, 2012), 2012 WL 8700063 (unreported).6 Cf.
Daniels v. Workers’ Comp. Appeal Bd. (Tristate Transp.), 828 A.2d 1043 (Pa. 2003)
(requiring adequate explanation of credibility determination in workers’ compensation
context).
               We discern no error by the ALJ in crediting the testimony of Assessor
over that of Medical Director on this record. The ALJ noted discrepancies in
Medical Director’s testimony exposed during cross-examination supporting
Resident’s ability to function independently and perform ADLs without aid.
Moreover, the record contains additional testimony by Medical Director that Resident
can perform many ADLs and, at the time of the assessments at issue, could live
independently, provided there was 24-hour supervision. See R.R. at 122a, 128a (“For
the most part[,] that’s my assessment is yes, he can do ADL’s [sic].”).
               Here, the ALJ considered the April and July 2018 assessments
submitted and Assessor’s testimony regarding her observations of Resident when
she deemed him NFI. She found that Resident did not require the level of nursing
facility care he was receiving at Facility, and could have functioned at a lower level
of care (i.e., personal care home), which is reimbursable at a different rate. A

       6
         This case is cited for its persuasive value in accordance with Section 414(a) of this Court’s
Internal Operating Procedures, 210 Pa. Code §69.414(a).

                                                  9
personal care home provides 24-hour supervision without monitoring medical
condition/skilled nursing care, such that services do not qualify as nursing care
reimbursable at the LTC rate.
             Because the ALJ had review and assessment forms for Resident, and
Assessor testified regarding her observations of Resident during the relevant
timeframe, there was substantial evidence to support the findings of fact accepting
Assessor’s NFI determinations. Assessor’s testimony was credited by the ALJ.
Since the findings were supported by substantial evidence, the BHA did not err in
upholding the NFI determination. Therefore, there is no reason to disturb the
MA/LTC benefits determination for Resident’s care at Facility using the November
2018 eligibility date.
                                 III. Conclusion
             For the foregoing reasons, this Court affirms the order of DHS.

                                             ______________________________
                                             J. ANDREW CROMPTON, Judge

                                        10
         IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

Donald Paul, by and through                :
Julia Ribaudo Senior Center,               :
                         Petitioner        :
                                           :     No. 303 C.D. 2020
              v.                           :
                                           :
Department of Human Services,              :
                      Respondent           :

                                      ORDER

            AND NOW, this 11th day of January 2021, the order of the Department
of Human Services is AFFIRMED.

                                        ______________________________
                                        J. ANDREW CROMPTON, Judge