How to avoid drug rehab scam programs?
Jun 30, 2020 · Signs of a Scam. While every patient will respond to the opioid recovery program that works best for them, there is a list of unreliable and ineffective methods that undoubtedly signal rehab scam: Homeopathy or herbal remedies promising to “rid the body of toxins” from substances using herbs or unregulated alternative medicines are highly ...
How do you know if a rehab center is legit?
Apr 24, 2018 · These rehab scams typically offer to fly clients out to their facilities for treatment, claiming that costs will be covered either by the treatment center or insurance. Insurances do not cover travel costs and rehabs offering free travel are typically brokers or marketers who receive kickbacks for every admission they receive.
Why are drug rehab programs so bad for You?
To help you avoid these scams, we’ve put together a guide explaining some of the many ways unethical rehab centers exploit addiction. Misrepresenting Services. One of the most common ways rehab centers exploit addiction is by misrepresenting their services.
What happens if rehab is a scam?
Once a rehab scam successfully convinces a person to enroll, they will do everything possible to keep the person entrapped and on the hook for insurance billing. It is common for these scams to charge astronomical amounts immediately after accepting a patient.
Why do rehab centers publish information?
Modern rehab centers typically publish information-rich content on their websites. This aims to help potential patients learn more about their services. Nevertheless, it gives better understanding of the need to seek treatment for substance abuse as soon as possible .
What is Cheree's essence?
Instead of allowing adversity to curtail personal vision and success, she used it to catapult her forward and thrive. This is the essence of what she holds dear and wants to help others achieve the same sense of achievement.
Is substance abuse a problem?
Substance abuse is a widespread issue in the United States. Virtually every community has experienced the negative effects of substance abuse on some level. Addiction can destroy lives and shatter families, and people struggling with substance abuse need compassion and professional support. Unfortunately, some scammers have started taking advantage ...
Do flophouses have drugs?
Instead of a place to get clean safely, these fraudulent rehab centers often have people openly doing drugs in flophouses. In addition, they often shuttle them from house to house to keep the scam going as long as possible, billing their victims’ insurance as they go.
Is substance abuse treatment a deceptive practice?
Even if they are reputable substance abuse treatment centers, this is still a deceptive practice. These centers may not provide adequate treatment for everyone or every kind of addiction. You may want to consider specialized treatment instead of looking for a generic substance abuse treatment clinic.
Can a scammer overdose?
Even worse, these scams prolong a victim’s addiction. The scammers’ dedication to keeping victims hooked could easily lead to overdoses or even death.
Is the opioid epidemic over?
While it is no longer front-page news, the opioid epidemic is far from over. In fact, recent reports show an increase in opioid-related deaths since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. As more individuals struggle with addiction, the number of addiction treatment centers and sober living homes opening across the country are skyrocketing.
Do brokers get kickbacks?
Brokers receive kickbacks any time they send someone to specific treatment centers. Their main concern is making money, not matching you with a qualified treatment center that meets your needs. In some cases, brokers shop clients around to different rehabs, and supply clients with drugs to keep them relapsing and needing their services. Recognizing when you are talking to a broker isn’t always easy, but if you call an 800 number that is not directly connected to the treatment facility, you are probably dealing with a broker. Vague online ads and generic websites are also signs that you are dealing with a third party that is selling your information as a lead to a treatment center.
How do rehab centers exploit addiction?
One of the most common ways rehab centers exploit addiction is by misrepresenting their services. When you’re serious about recovering from substance use challenges, you need to enroll in a treatment facility that can meet your specific recovery needs. What you don’t need is a rehab center saying they have experience in treating your substance use disorder when they don’t. You also don’t need to enroll in a center that misrepresents the credentials of their clinical staff. Other common aspects of addiction treatment that are commonly misrepresented include:
What is HIPPA in rehab?
When you enroll in a rehabilitation center, the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, known as HIPPA, protect your health information, treatment plan, and any diagnoses you receive. But some rehab centers will use your health information in a sales or marketing context without your consent and without a medical need to do so.
Do rehab centers bill insurance?
Some rehab centers bill your insurance company unnecessarily. This over-billing is often done behind the scenes, but you might pick up on it if a treatment facility provides you with services more frequently than originally discussed in your treatment plan. This happens often with urine drug screens, for example. In these cases, rehab centers may conduct a series of unnecessary drug tests, then bill the insurance company for each test.
On This Page
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse over 2.5 million people receive treatment each year at a qualified drug rehab facility.
Common Drug Treatment Scams
Detox as rehab. Many detox facilities claim that their program “cures” drug addiction. This is simply inaccurate for two primary reasons. It is impossible to simply cure drug addiction.
Elements of Quality Drug Treatment
So how can an individual spot a reputable, professional drug treatment center when they see one? It is important to watch for the following:
