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Case TitleFROST BROWN TODD LLC v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES et al
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2021cv02784
Date Filed2021-10-19
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Tanya S. Chutkan
PlaintiffFROST BROWN TODD LLC
Case DescriptionThe law firm of Frost Brown Todd LLC submitted FOIA requests to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Management for records concerning the risk adjustment processing system filter logic and the way in which payments were calculated. The agency acknowledged receipt of the requests and told FBT that it would cost $120,000 to search the records. FBY paid the fee and CMS disclosed in multiple interim releases but withheld a number of records under Exemption 5 (privileges). After hearing nothing further from the agency, FBT filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantUNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
DefendantCENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES
DefendantCENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES (CMS)
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
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Complaint attachment 31
Opinion/Order [24]
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2021-10-191COMPLAINT against UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ( Filing fee $ 402 receipt number ADCDC-8811103) filed by FROST BROWN TODD LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - FOIA Request One - 2018-05-21 LTR to CMS re FOIA, # 2 Exhibit B - FOIA Request Two - 2018-05-21 LTR to CMS re Attestations and Compliance, # 3 Exhibit C - FOIA Request Three - 2018-05-21 LTR to CMS re Data Accuracy, # 4 Exhibit D - FOIA Request Four - 2018-05-21 LTR to CMS re Medicare Managed Care Manual, # 5 Exhibit E - FOIA Request Five - 2018-05-21 LTR to CMS re Overpayment Rule, # 6 Exhibit F - FOIA Request Six - 2018-05-21 LTR to CMS re Retrospective Chart Reviews, # 7 Exhibit G - 2018-05-23 CMA acknowledgement, # 8 Exhibit H - 2018-05-24 CMS acknowledgement, # 9 Exhibit I - 2018-06-22 Letter from CMS requiring advanced payment, # 10 Exhibit J - 2018-07-20 Response to CMS Fee Demand, # 11 Exhibit K - 2018-07-25 CMS Response, # 12 Exhibit L - 2018-08-09 Agreement to tender fee, # 13 Exhibit M - 2018-08-14 LTR 2 CMS transmitting payment, # 14 Exhibit N - 2018-09-18 RE FOIA Advance Paym, # 15 Exhibit O - 2018-09-22 RE FOIA Advance payment, # 16 Exhibit P - 2019-03-19 LTR from CMS re FOIA Request Control No. 052220187048 Interim 1 Response, # 17 Exhibit Q - 2019-04-25 LTR to CMS re Responses for Control Number 052220187048, # 18 Exhibit R - 2019-07-12 LTR to CMS re ongoing deficiencies, # 19 Exhibit S - 2019-07-18 LTR from CMS re FOIA Requests Interim 2 Response, # 20 Exhibit T - 2019-07-31 LTR to CMS re Second Interim Response Deficiencies, # 21 Exhibit U - 2019-08-22 LTR from CMS re FOIA Requests - Interim 3 Response, # 22 Exhibit V - 2019-09-30 Ltr to H. Gilmore at CMS re Third Interim Response, # 23 Exhibit W - 2019-10-15 LTR from CMS re FOIA Requests - Interim 4 Response, # 24 Exhibit X - 2020-01-23 LTR from CMS re FOIA Requests - Interim 5 Response, # 25 Exhibit Y - 2020-03-26 LTR from CMS re FOIA request - Interim 6 Response, # 26 Exhibit Z - 2021-02-17 Continued Interest Letter Emailed, # 27 Exhibit AA 2021-02-17 Signed Continued Letter of Interest FOIA Request, # 28 Exhibit BB - 2021-09-02 LTR to CMS re Continued Response Deficiencies, # 29 Exhibit CC - 2021-09-16 LTR from CMS - Interim 7 Response, # 30 Civil Cover Sheet, # 31 Summons)(Ward, Joseph) (Entered: 10/19/2021)
2021-10-192NOTICE of Appearance by Joseph M. Ward on behalf of FROST BROWN TODD LLC (Ward, Joseph) (Entered: 10/19/2021)
2021-10-20NOTICE OF ERROR re 1 Complaint; emailed to jward@fbtlaw.com, cc'd 2 associated attorneys -- The PDF file you docketed contained errors: 1. Noncompliance with LCvR 5.1(c). Please file an errata correcting the initiating pleading to include the name & full residence address of each party using the event Errata., 2. Missing summonses-government. When naming a government agent or agency as a defendant, you must supply a summons for each defendant & two additional summonses for the U.S. Attorney & U.S. Attorney General. Please submit using the event Request for Summons to Issue., 3. COMPLIANCE DEADLINE is by close of business today. This case will not proceed any further until all errors are satisfied. (znmg, ) (Entered: 10/20/2021)
2021-10-203NOTICE of Appearance by Yugo Nagashima on behalf of FROST BROWN TODD LLC (Nagashima, Yugo) (Entered: 10/20/2021)
2021-10-204ERRATA by FROST BROWN TODD LLC. (Ward, Joseph) (Entered: 10/20/2021)
2021-10-205REQUEST FOR SUMMONS TO ISSUE filed by FROST BROWN TODD LLC.(Ward, Joseph) (Entered: 10/20/2021)
2021-10-206LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by FROST BROWN TODD LLC (Ward, Joseph) (Entered: 10/20/2021)
2021-10-25Case Assigned to Judge Tanya S. Chutkan. (znmg) (Entered: 10/25/2021)
2021-10-257SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(znmg) (Entered: 10/25/2021)
2021-10-26RESOLVED.....NOTICE of Provisional/Government Not Certified Status re 2 NOTICE of Appearance by Joseph M. Ward on behalf of FROST BROWN TODD LLC (Ward, Joseph). Your attorney renewal/government certification has not been received. As a result, your membership with the U.S. District & Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Columbia is not in good standing, and you are not permitted to file. Pursuant to Local Civil Rule 83.9, you must immediately correct your membership status by following the appropriate instructions on this page of our website: https://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/attorney-admissions-and-renewal-information. Please be advised that the presiding judge in this case has been notified that you are currently not in good standing to file in this court. Renewal Due by 11/2/2021. (znmw) Modified on 10/28/2021 (znmw). (Entered: 10/26/2021)
2021-11-299NOTICE of Appearance by Anna Davis Walker on behalf of CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (Walker, Anna) (Entered: 11/29/2021)
2021-11-2910First MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer or Otherwise Respond (Partially Opposed) by CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Walker, Anna) (Entered: 11/29/2021)
2021-11-30MINUTE ORDER: Granting 10 Motion for Extension of Time to Answer. Defendants shall answer or otherwise respond to the Complaint by 1/21/22. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 11/30/21. (DJS) (Entered: 11/30/2021)
2021-11-30Set/Reset Deadline: Defendants shall answer or otherwise respond to the Complaint by 1/21/2022. (jth) (Entered: 11/30/2021)
2022-01-2111Partial MOTION to Dismiss by CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Walker, Anna) (Entered: 01/21/2022)
2022-02-0112Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 11 Partial MOTION to Dismiss by FROST BROWN TODD LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Nagashima, Yugo) (Entered: 02/01/2022)
2022-02-07MINUTE ORDER: Granting Plaintiff's 12 Motion for Extension of Time to Respond to Defendants' Partial Motion to Dismiss. Plaintiff's response due 2/18/22. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 2/7/22. (DJS) (Entered: 02/07/2022)
2022-02-11Set/Reset Deadlines: Response due by 2/18/2022. (tb) (Entered: 02/11/2022)
2022-02-1813RESPONSE re 11 Partial MOTION to Dismiss filed by FROST BROWN TODD LLC. (Nagashima, Yugo) (Entered: 02/18/2022)
2022-02-2214MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 11 Partial MOTION to Dismiss by CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Walker, Anna) (Entered: 02/22/2022)
2022-02-22MINUTE ORDER: Granting Unopposed 14 Motion for Extension of Deadlines. Defendant's Reply due March 11, 2022. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 2/22/22. (DJS) (Entered: 02/22/2022)
2022-02-24Set/Reset Deadlines: Reply due by 3/11/2022. (tb) (Entered: 02/24/2022)
2022-03-1115REPLY to opposition to motion re 11 Partial MOTION to Dismiss filed by CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Walker, Anna) (Entered: 03/11/2022)
2022-04-1916NOTICE of Appearance by Sian Jones on behalf of All Defendants (Jones, Sian) (Entered: 04/19/2022)
2022-10-3117NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Sam Escher on behalf of All Defendants Substituting for attorney Sian Jones and Anna Walker (Escher, Sam) (Entered: 10/31/2022)
2022-11-1018NOTICE OF SUPPLEMENTAL AUTHORITY by FROST BROWN TODD LLC (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Kaiser Complaint, # 2 Exhibit B - Schulte Article, # 3 Exhibit C - Kaiser Stipulated Dismissal)(Nagashima, Yugo) (Entered: 11/10/2022)
2022-11-1019MOTION to Take Judicial Notice by FROST BROWN TODD LLC. (See Docket Entry 18 to view document) (zjm) (Entered: 11/10/2022)
2022-11-2220RESPONSE re 19 MOTION to Take Judicial Notice filed by CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES (CMS), UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Escher, Sam) (Entered: 11/22/2022)
2022-11-2921REPLY re 18 and 19 in Support of Plaintiffs Notice of Supplemental Authority and Motion for Court to Take Judicial Notice filed by FROST BROWN TODD LLC. (Nagashima, Yugo) Modified to add links on 11/29/2022 (znmw). (Entered: 11/29/2022)
2023-01-18MINUTE ORDER: Plaintiff's 19 Motion to Take Judicial Notice is hereby GRANTED, and the court takes notice of the existence of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation dba Kaiser Health News v. U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services et al , 3:19-CV-06130, (N.D. Cal. Sept. 26, 2019) lawsuit and its settlement, pursuant to Federal Rule of Evidence 201(b)(2). This ruling shall not be construed as opining on the merits of Plaintiff's action or Defendants' Partial Motion to Dismiss. The court will issue a decision on Defendants' partial motion to dismiss in due course. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 1/18/2023. (lcja) (Entered: 01/18/2023)
2023-05-1622NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by B. Kathryn Debrason on behalf of CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES (CMS), UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Substituting for attorney Sam Escher (Debrason, B. Kathryn) (Entered: 05/16/2023)
2023-10-3123NOTICE of Appearance by Joseph F. Carilli, Jr on behalf of All Defendants (Carilli, Joseph) (Entered: 10/31/2023)
2024-02-0524MEMORANDUM OPINION re 11 Partial Motion to Dismiss. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 2/5/24. (lce) (Entered: 02/05/2024)
2024-02-0525ORDER GRANTING in part and DENYING in part 11 Partial Motion to Dismiss. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 2/5/24. (lce) (Entered: 02/05/2024)
2024-02-05MINUTE ORDER: On or before March 11, 2024, the parties shall confer and file a joint status report proposing a path forward in this case, including whether the parties intend to move into discovery and, if so, their availability for a scheduling conference. The status report shall be accompanied by a proposed order. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 2/5/24. (lce) (Entered: 02/05/2024)
2024-03-1126Joint STATUS REPORT by CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES (CMS), UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Debrason, B.) (Entered: 03/11/2024)
2024-03-12MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 26 Joint Status Report, the parties shall confer and file another joint status report on or before May 10, 2024, and every 60 days thereafter, providing the court with an update on the settlement discussions and, if applicable, proposing a schedule for further proceedings in this matter. To the extent the parties suggest a change in the status quo, the status report shall be accompanied by a proposed order. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 3/12/24. (lce) (Entered: 03/12/2024)
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