If you’re facing disciplinary action, license suspension, or regulatory penalties, your case may be referred to Florida’s Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH). These hearings are formal legal proceedings that can have serious consequences for physicians, nurses, clinics, and other healthcare providers.
At Di Pietro Partners, our healthcare law attorneys represent medical professionals and healthcare businesses in administrative hearings involving the Florida Department of Health (DOH), Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), Board of Medicine, and other regulatory bodies. Whether you’re defending your medical license, responding to a complaint, or appealing an adverse agency decision, we provide aggressive and knowledgeable legal representation before DOAH and related tribunals.
What Is a DOAH Hearing?
The Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) is an independent tribunal that handles legal disputes between individuals or businesses and Florida state agencies. In the healthcare context, DOAH proceedings often involve:
- Medical license discipline or revocation
- Challenges to agency rules, audits, or fines
- Denials or restrictions of facility licenses
- AHCA or DOH investigations and sanctions
These are quasi-judicial proceedings, meaning they resemble court trials with witnesses, evidence, and legal arguments and they require skilled legal representation.
When Are Administrative Hearings Required?
You may be entitled to a DOAH hearing if you’ve received:
- An administrative complaint from the Department of Health
- A notice of intent to deny, suspend, or revoke your license
- A final agency action you wish to challenge
- An AHCA deficiency report leading to potential penalties
- A probable cause finding from a medical board investigation
Responding quickly is critical. You typically have 21 days to request a hearing once you’ve received notice.
Common Types of DOAH Cases We Handle
We defend healthcare professionals in a wide range of administrative cases, including:
- Physician license revocation or suspension
- Complaints to the Board of Medicine or Board of Nursing
- AHCA actions against healthcare facilities
- Defense against fraud allegations or billing audits
- Denials of license renewals or applications
- Peer review and credentialing disputes escalated to DOH
- HIPAA and regulatory compliance violations
We also represent professionals in informal hearings, formal hearings, and negotiated resolutions with state agencies.
Our Approach to Administrative Defense
- Early Intervention: We help clients respond to notices and complaints promptly to preserve their rights and limit exposure.
- Pre-Hearing Negotiation: Our team often resolves matters through informal resolution before reaching trial.
- Trial-Ready Defense: When hearings are unavoidable, we build a comprehensive legal strategy with expert testimony, document review, and evidentiary support.
- Medical Insight: With a board-certified physician on staff, we understand the clinical, professional, and regulatory implications of your case.
Why Hire Di Pietro Partners?
- Experienced in DOAH Litigation: We have years of experience representing healthcare providers in administrative hearings across Florida.
- Healthcare Law Focus: We understand both the law and the practice of medicine; a rare combination critical in these cases.
- Multidisciplinary Support: Our team includes litigators, healthcare law attorneys, and a board-certified cardiologist.
- Reputation & Results: We’ve helped physicians, surgeons, nurses, and facility owners keep their licenses and practices intact during some of the most difficult times in their careers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What happens if I don’t respond to a DOAH notice?
Failing to respond can result in a default judgment, license suspension, or loss of appeal rights. Contact an attorney immediately if you’ve received notice.
Q. Can I continue practicing while my hearing is pending?
In many cases, yes. Unless your license is subject to emergency suspension. We help clients preserve their ability to work during the process.
Q. Are DOAH hearings public?
Yes, formal hearings are part of the public record unless specific confidentiality protections apply (e.g., medical records, patient identities).
Q. Do I need a lawyer for a DOAH hearing?
Absolutely. These proceedings are legally complex and adversarial. The agencies involved have attorneys and you should too.
Q. What agencies are involved in healthcare DOAH cases?
Common agencies include:
- Department of Health (DOH)
- Board of Medicine/Nursing
- Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)
- Department of Children and Families (DCF) for behavioral health providers
Speak With a DOAH Defense Attorney Today
If you’ve received notice of an administrative complaint or disciplinary hearing, you must act quickly. The right defense strategy can mean the difference between saving your career or losing your license.
Call Di Pietro Partners now for a confidential consultation and experienced representation at your healthcare administrative hearing.
