Body brokering, a technique used by some unethical treatment centers, is illegal in many states and is intended only to line the pockets of a select few — not to heal and do the most good possible. Insurance claims for treatment at addiction treatment centers can reach tens of thousands of dollars, which can catch the attention of unscrupulous middlemen looking to make a quick buck.
Here’s what you need to know about this unethical and unscrupulous practice:
What is Body Brokering in Rehab?
Body brokering is an unethical and illegal practice where individuals, known as body brokers, receive financial incentives for referring patients to specific addiction rehab centers. This process involves “selling” patients to these centers, often without regard for the quality of care the patients will receive. Treatment centers pay body brokers for each patient they refer. This creates a profit-driven motive for referrals, rather than thought toward the patient’s overall well-being. The practice of patient brokering violates laws designed to protect patients from exploitation.
Who Are Body Brokers?
Body brokers are individuals or organizations that exploit vulnerable people seeking addiction treatment for financial gain. They act as intermediaries between patients and treatment centers, referring patients to specific facilities in exchange for substantial fees.
How Does Body Brokering Work?
Unethical rehab centers find body brokers to identify patients who need substance abuse treatment and refer them to their treatment center. Insurance companies pay well for treatment, turning patients with good insurance plans into profitable targets for body brokers. These middlemen find and then refer addicts with good insurance coverage to whatever drug treatment centers willing to pay the highest finder’s fee. Treatment centers involved in body brokering may perform excessive drug testing (and other billable services) to maximize the insurance payout. This further exploits the patient’s insurance coverage
To ensure potential clients go to the substance abuse treatment program that will make the broker the most money, some brokers and group home owners offer free rent, gift cards, and other perks. With kickbacks reaching up to $10,000 per referral, brokers can often easily afford these incentives.
Is Body Brokering Illegal in California?
Body brokering is illegal in California, but it still happens. In April 2024 sober living rehab owner Scott Raffa was indicted for paying kickbacks to body brokers who referred patients to Raffa’s sober living homes in Orange County.
Senator Thomas J. Umberg introduced Senate Bill 913 to improve accountability and service quality in California’s substance use disorder (SUD) treatment facilities and sober living homes. SB 913 empowers cities and counties to conduct site visits and enforce regulations to protect vulnerable individuals and ensure they receive ethical, high-quality care.
Is Body Brokering Health Care Fraud?
Yes, body brokering is considered health care fraud. This is due to its exploitative and deceptive nature. Other reasons include:
- Financial Exploitation: Body brokers receive financial incentives for referring patients to certain treatment centers, prioritizing profit over the patient’s best interest. This creates a conflict of interest where decisions are driven by money rather than the patient’s needs.
- Deceptive Practices: Patients and their families are often misled about the quality and nature of the treatment being provided by body brokers. They may be promised high-quality care but end up in substandard facilities.
- Substandard Care: Treatment facilities participating in body brokering may not provide adequate or ethical care. This compromises the health and safety of vulnerable individuals seeking help for substance use disorders.
- Violation of Trust: Health care should be based on trust between the provider and the patient. Body brokering undermines this trust by introducing financial motives that may lead to unethical treatment practices.
- Legal and Regulatory Violations: Body brokering often involves illegal kickbacks and violations of laws designed to protect patients from exploitation. This makes it a fraudulent activity under health care regulations.
Is Body Brokering Unethical in Addiction Treatment Centers?
Body brokering impacts the entire recovery industry, and ultimately harms patients who need help recovering from addiction. Ethical treatment facilities exist, and many of them support efforts to crack down on this dangerous practice. Still, patient brokering can create far-reaching problems for people seeking addiction treatment.
Referring patients to the highest bidder doesn’t often lend itself to a good fit between client and treatment facility. As with any other program, there are so many factors to consider before selecting the right treatment center for your needs. The highest bidder may want you — or, more specifically, your insurance money. But will the services offered lead to a successful recovery?
By paying huge kickbacks to body brokers, there’s less money to provide quality services, hire qualified counselors or offer post-treatment support.
Drug or alcohol use while in treatment may be overlooked if the main incentive is to make money. From a corrupt operator’s perspective, relapse translates into additional profits. The most unethical treatment facilities do not attempt to monitor the signs of impending relapse or take steps to prevent it.
Body brokers often prey on the most vulnerable patients. Rather than entering into a clinically strong treatment program that builds sobriety skills for life, many bounce from one questionable rehab to another.
Widespread corruption and body brokering in the recovery industry harms the reputations of ethical recovery centers. Treatment centers are badly needed, yet ethical facilities are tainted by the actions of the greediest operators. Some individuals who need treatment may not be able to trust any treatment centers after experiencing one of the few who participate in body brokering.
Where Can You Get Safe Addiction Treatment in California?
Finding safe and reputable addiction treatment in California requires careful research and consideration. Here are some tips on how to differentiate a quality rehab center from one that may be involved in patient brokering:
- Accreditation and Licensing: Look for facilities that are accredited by reputable organizations such as The Joint Commission or the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Licensing by the state of California is essential, and ensures the facility meets basic standards of care.
- Treatment Approach: Quality rehab centers will offer evidence-based treatment approaches supported by research, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) where appropriate. Avoid centers that promote unproven or unconventional therapies as “miracle cures” with universal success.
- Qualified Staff: Check the credentials and experience of the treatment center’s staff. They should include licensed therapists, counselors, medical professionals, and addiction specialists. Avoid facilities where staff qualifications are unclear or not readily available.
- Comprehensive Assessment and Individualized Treatment Plans: A reputable rehab center conducts thorough assessments to understand each patient’s needs and develops personalized treatment plans accordingly. Avoid centers that offer one-size-fits-all programs that don’t assess individual needs.
- Transparent Pricing and Financial Practices: Quality rehab centers provide clear information about costs, insurance coverage, and any out-of-pocket expenses. Be wary of facilities that pressure patients to sign financial agreements quickly or offer incentives for enrollment.
- Reputation and Reviews: Research the rehab center’s reputation by reading reviews from former patients and their families. Look for testimonials that discuss the quality of care, staff professionalism, and overall treatment experience.
- Aftercare and Support Services: A good rehab center will offer aftercare planning and support to help patients transition back to daily life after treatment. This may include ongoing counseling, support groups, and connections to community resources.
- Facility Conditions and Environment: Visit the facility if possible, or take a virtual tour to assess cleanliness, safety, and overall comfort. Avoid centers that appear run down, overcrowded, or that lack proper amenities.
- Ethical Practices: Inquire about the center’s policies regarding patient referrals and see if they have relationships with outside entities. Ask specifically about their stance on patient brokering and how they ensure ethical treatment practices.
- Location and Accessibility: Consider practical factors, such as the location of the rehab center and whether it offers convenient access for family involvement and support.
449 Recovery Addiction Treatment Center in Mission Viejo, CA
449 Recovery provides safe and effective treatment in Mission Viejo, California. Our team prioritizes the physical and mental health of our patients and gives them respect and compassion. We offer outpatient mental health and substance use treatment. Our programs include dual diagnosis, outpatient treatment for addiction and mental health (with both morning and evening hours), partial hospitalization that provides more support and treatment modalities than traditional outpatient programs, and aftercare. Our team works with patients individually to ensure they have a supportive environment to return to outside of treatment.
If you are seeking treatment for addiction or mental health, call 449 Recovery for help!
Dr. Warren Taff MD, graduated from the University of Birmingham, England School of Medicine, with a BA from Rutgers University. He then went on to UCLA School of Public Health in Los Angeles Health and Human Services and received an MPH. He also attended an internship in internal medicine, with the Veterans Administration. Dr. Taff’s residency includes General Psychiatry at USC, with elective residencies at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, Australia, and Royal College of Psychiatry. Board certifications include American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Dr. Taff has extensive experience in both psychiatry and addiction medicine, extending from 1979 to present. He has held professional titles that include Chief of Staff and Medical Directorship in both hospitals and private sectors.
