Patient brokering is a topic of high concern lately throughout Florida and the United States. This practice is finally coming out into the public eye and many citizens are just plainly disgusted. If you have never heard of patient brokering before, we’re going to go over what this practice is and how you can avoid falling victim to it.
What Is Patient Brokering?
Patient brokering is an illegal practice in which health care facilities pay ‘junkie hunters’ a referral fee to get access to a patient. Once the patient is signed up at their facility, they will charge the insurance company for a multitude of different procedures and tests. These procedures and tests aren’t actually performed and the health care facility pockets the insurance payments.
There are many ways that these disgraceful health care facilities are collecting patients. From having referrers on the street preying on those with an obvious drug or alcohol problem to online websites, these facilities will pay a high amount to anyone that will successfully score them another patient. This practice is illegal in every state, however, current providers are trying to use loopholes to get out of being charged.
It’s important that you take precautions when it comes to finding the right rehab facility for your loved one. You don’t want them to end up in these patient brokering facilities. This is not only because they scheme and rip off unsuspecting insurance companies, but they don’t actually help the patients. Many addicts who have fallen victim to these schemes have not received the help they needed to successfully become sober. Every failed attempt leaves those with addiction problems relapsing and makes it harder for them to accept trying another program.
The Main Signs That A Website Is A Patient Brokering Scheme
It’s hard not to search online for a care facility for your addicted loved one. There is a vast wealth of information from many quality facilities that truly want to help them. Unfortunately, telling the true centers from the fake ones takes a keen eye. Let’s look at some of the common signs that the website is brokering patients.
Start by looking for the basic contact information. You should be able to find a valid address and phone number for the facility. There should be the treating physician’s names as well. If a website lacks this basic information, it’s likely that the website is brokering patients. This typically occurs by having you call a number, which is tracked, that connects you to one of the scamming health care facilities. The facility then pays the website owner a referral fee when you call the number and book a visit.
Genesis House has been a licensed treatment center in South Florida for over 25 years. Call us directly today at 855-936-4435.
