In the world of addiction treatment, the chances are high (no pun intended) that you are going to tumble into a bit of a mixed bag of treatment options, particularly when it comes to the rehabilitation centers currently on the market. Although many of these organizations, even ones that are high-priced, are willing to help patients reemerge as healthy, happy men and women, the fact of the matter is that many fraudulent groups also exist. In some cases, organizations may attempt to make money off the recovery system at the expense of the addicts they are supposed to be aiding. Fortunately, for you and for the thousands of addicts across California, our state has established restrictive laws against this practice, called patient brokering. Let’s take a closer look and find out some more information.
The Prohibition of Patient Brokering
Simply put, patient brokering occurs when a residential recovery center, addiction specialist, or anyone else involved in this practice attempts to receive a value or promised value as part of referring a person who is seeking treatment for substance use disorders.
Under California Statute SB 1228, legal officials sought to put an end to patient brokering around September 2018. Under this new law, set into place by Governor Jerry Brown, these entities are prohibited from taking part in this shady business:
- Residential centers licensed by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)
- DHCS-certified outpatient treatment centers
- Owners, partners, and any other people who have at least 10% interest in licensed or certified treatment programs
- Employees and other people who are working for these organizations
Penalties Are through the Roof
As part of these amendments established in September 2018, the penalties for patient brokering have also intensified:
- Licenses cannot be reapplied in a period of 5 years following the previous revocation
- Penalties for operating unlicensed programs or facilities have increased from $200 daily to $2,000 daily
Seeking Treatment for Drug Addiction or Alcoholism
Alcoholism and drug addiction are dangerous sicknesses that should never be taken lightly. All it takes to fall off the wagon and become sick is to take that first sniff, snort, injection, or shot before you are rolling downhill into insanity. Still, you can always push the train back up, but it will be a difficult hike. However, with the right mixture of perseverance and determination, you can easily get back on track and be happy once more.
Are you suffering from a severe case of alcoholism or drug addiction? Do you have a friend or a loved one who is coping with the same illness? In both cases, get in touch us at with Asana Recovery today. Our professional team of counselors and healthcare experts will help you endure the painful process of drug withdrawal and detox and guide you along the rocky road of rehabilitation. Soon enough, you will experience a faster and much more efficient recovery.
If you are seeking more information about our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs or enroll in one of these programs today, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your leisure and your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how you can overcome your mental illness and take an extra step toward becoming a healthier person.
