Massachusetts AG Launches Probe of Addiction Treatment

By: Jeffrey Lynne October 3, 2017 1:50 am

Time to read: 5 Minutes

The Massachusetts attorney general’s office is investigating patient brokering of Massachusetts residents that recruited them to treatment centers in other states, according to people contacted by the office and others familiar with the matter.

Jillian Fennimore, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Maura Healey, confirmed the office is conducting a criminal investigation of addiction treatment centers. She would not provide details of the probe, including whether particular entities or individuals were being targeted.

The investigation follows reporting by STAT and the Boston Globe based on alleged insurance fraud.

“It is critical that people struggling with addiction can safely access treatment services,” Healey said. “Unfortunately, those seeking to make a profit off of this epidemic are targeting vulnerable patients with illegal treatment and recovery scams.”

The attorney general’s office also indicated it is taking a broader look at sober home operators in Massachusetts. Sober homes offer group living for people in recovery from drug addiction. Healey’s office said it was looking into allegations of poor living conditions in some sober homes, false advertising, and the failure of some operators to maintain a sober environment.