[*1]
Bulmahn v New York State Off. of Medicaid Inspector Gen.
2014 NY Slip Op 50907(U) [43 Misc 3d 1232(A)]
Decided on May 30, 2014
Supreme Court, Erie County
Marshall, J.
Published by New York State Law Reporting Bureau pursuant to Judiciary Law § 431.
This opinion is uncorrected and will not be published in the printed Official Reports.


Decided on May 30, 2014
Supreme Court, Erie County


Jayson Bulmahn, Petitioner

against

New York State Office of Medicaid Inspector General NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, Respondents.




4338/2011



GREGORY STAMM, ESQ.



Attorney for Petitioner



KATE H. NEPVU, ESQ.



Attorney for Respondents


Frederick J. Marshall, J.

By Notice of Motion dated April 16, 2014, the petitioner has moved this Court for an Order requiring the respondents to comply with the directive of the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, as set forth in that Court's Memorandum Decision dated May 3, 2013. Matter of Bulmahn v New York State Off. of Medicaid Inspector General, et al, 106 AD 3rd 1504 [4th Dept.2013], re-argument denied, 109 AD 3rd 1220 [4th Dept.2013], leave to appeal denied, (22 NY3d 869 [2014]). Petitioner's motion was supported by the affirmation of Gregory Stamm, Esq. dated April 16, 2014. Respondents submitted the affirmation in opposition of Andrew D. Bing, Esq., dated May 1, 2014.



This proceeding, originally brought pursuant to CPLR Article 78, was transferred by this Court to the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, pursuant to CPLR §7804(g). After determining that this proceeding was properly transferred, the Appellate Division annulled respondent's determination that the New York State Department of Health was entitled to recover Medicaid overpayments from petitioner, granted the amended petition and remitted the matter to the respondent for further proceedings not inconsistent with it's decision. See Matter of Bulmahn, id, @ 1504.



Upon reconsideration pursuant to the Appellate Division's direction, the respondent made a determination that the petitioner was entitled to a partial refund, but further determined that the Department of Health was entitled to retain the sum of $150,155.



Petitioner alleges in its motion that the respondent did not properly follow the direction of the Appellate Division, erred in not following its own regulations and practices and [*2]wrongfully withheld amounts properly due to the petitioner. The respondents, while defending its method of computation, also challenged the jurisdiction of this Court to hear and make a determination with regard to petitioner's motion. They contend that once this matter was transferred to the Appellate Division, this Court was divested of its jurisdiction and the petitioner was relegated to commencing a new Article 78 proceeding to have this dispute determined.



The jurisdiction of the original Article 78 proceeding rested with this Court. However, once the matter was transferred to the Appellate Division, this Court was divested of its jurisdiction and the jurisdiction to hear and determine subsequent issues now lies with the Appellate Division, Fourth Department. Matter of Quinn v Werner, 96 AD 2nd 1079 [2nd Dept.1983]. Of particular note is the fact that the Appellate Division remitted back to the respondent for a re-determination and did nothing to restore jurisdiction to the Supreme Court. Thus, this Court is without jurisdiction to hear or determine the petitioner's motion. City of Syracuse v Surles, 154 AD 2nd 949 [4th Dept.1989].



Respondent's suggestion that this Court should dismiss petitioner's motion, thereby requiring him to re-commence a new Article 78 proceeding, is misplaced. Indeed, since jurisdiction already lies with the Appellate Division, it would be improper to do so.



Therefore, it is



ORDERED, that the Clerk is directed to transfer the file to the Appellate Division, Fourth Department upon service of a copy of this Order, with notice of entry.



The foregoing shall constitute the decision and order of this Court.



DATED:May 30, 2014

____________________________

Hon. FREDERICK J. MARSHALL



Justice, Supreme Court