Los Angeles, CA – Fake drug rehab programs are costing California hundreds of millions of dollars in fraudulent medical claims and setting up real addiction patients for failure. Muse Treatment, an alcohol and drug rehab program with facilities throughout the Los Angeles area, is offering advice to help people avoid scams and find legitimate addiction treatment.
Fake drug rehab programs use vulnerable people to help them carry out their schemes. In one major example, uncovered jointly by the Center for Investigative Reporting and CNN, California’s Medicaid program paid $94 million to 56 programs that appeared to be using fraudulent billing procedures. In another, the California Department of Health Care Services announced an investigation of 16 substance abuse treatment centers that were suspected of hiring providers who have felonies on their records.
These centers victimize people who are truly in of services. The programs are set up only to bill Medicaid and private insurance for services they do not provide, so legitimate patients may spend time and money without getting any real treatment.
To help safeguard people in need of treatment, Muse offers these tips for spotting drug rehab scams and finding a quality program.
A minimal website. It only has a few pages, without any details on programs offered. There may only be one or two programs.
Few treatment options. Detox is the main program, and not much else is offered. Detox is important, but it should be followed by continuing care.
Short-term programs. A legitimate treatment program will be offered on a long-term basis because long-term sobriety is a long-term process. If the program only lasts a few days, it’s a sign that the center is simply signing people up to bill insurance companies.
Guaranteed recovery. No real program can promise that. A legitimate center will actually warn you that relapse is common.
No staff on site. This is a sign that the “treatment” facility is just set up to have a physical address for the fraudulent program.
Only outpatient treatment is offered. This doesn’t automatically mean the program is fraudulent, but you should be skeptical and ask questions if residential care is not available. It could be another indication that the program exists in name only.
What to Look for in a Quality Rehab. Accreditation: Look for approval by an independent agency that certifies quality care. Muse Treatment, for instance, has the highest standard: the gold seal of approval from the Joint Commission International, the world’s leading healthcare accrediting group.
Wide range of services: The program offers a variety of treatment programs for various substance use disorders, with options in a customized program. These should be explained on the program’s website and in other promotional materials.
Treatment of co-occurring mental health disorders: The program’s caregivers understand that substance abuse may be rooted in underlying mental or emotional disorders and psychological trauma. The substance use disorder may be more of a symptom than a primary disorder itself. The program should provide treatment that supports a dual diagnosis, for true recovery.
Individualized treatment programs: Every addiction experience is different. A quality program understands this and customizes its treatment to the individual needs of the patient.
Positive online reviews from former patients: Google the center’s name and “reviews.” You should find lots of positive complimentary feedback given. The reviews should include specific details and should not sound like they were all written by the same person.
Muse Addiction Treatment Center offers comprehensive detox and rehabilitation treatment, including follow-up care, for all substance use disorders. Both residential and outpatient treatment are available. For information on finding high-quality addiction treatment customized for oneself or a loved one, call 800-426-1818 or go to www.musetreatment.com
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For more information about Muse Treatment, contact the company here:
Muse Treatment
(800) 426-1818
1251 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024
