State threatens Assemblywoman Fiore with business shutdown

CARSON CITY — The state Department of Health and Human Services has told Assemblywoman Michele Fiore that she must let inspectors into her home health care business or face the potential loss of her license.

The letter, dated Friday, said Fiore's staff refused to allow inspectors from the Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance to perform an inspection of her Always There 4 You home health care business on June 2 and July 6.

"Unfortunately, this is not the first time that Always There 4 You has refused access to HCQC inspectors," said the letter from Laura Freed, deputy administrator for regulatory and planning services in HHS. "The HCQC records database shows that on June 20, 2013, HCQC attempted to inspect Always There 4 You and were refused."

A later inspection did occur in September 2013.

Freed said all inspections are unannounced and no exceptions are allowed.

"This letter is to formally notify you that if the HCQC inspectors are not permitted to enter your facility to conduct the normal compliance inspection and record review, you may be presented with notice that the Division of Public and Behavioral Health will revoke your license to operate a personal care agency," Freed said.

Fiore has collected about $6 million in Medicaid reimbursements for her business, and another called Always There Personal Care, from the agency since 2011. She has received more than $220,000 so far this year.

Fiore, a Republican, has had other issues with her home health care business.

She acknowledged in interviews in December 2014 that she had tax lien issues with the IRS that she was getting resolved. She said at the time she was 100 percent in compliance with the tax agency over almost $200,000 in liens. The federal agency had listed about $1 million in liens but Fiore said many were already cleared up.

She declined at that time to provide proof of her claim of compliance, citing an ongoing investigation of her former bookkeeper by law enforcement. Fiore said her IRS problems were the result of the bookkeeper who took money for three years before being discovered.

Fiore said she worked out a payment plan with the IRS to satisfy the liens.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Contact Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900. Find him on Twitter: @seanw801