15 Mass., RI addiction treatment programs closed after allegations of fraud

A chain of New England habit therapy programs is now shut just after its main executive officer was arrested on health and fitness treatment fraud and other expenses Thursday.

Restoration Link Facilities of The united states operated 15 clinics in Rhode Island and Massachusetts serving about 1,600 people.

Rhode Island U.S. Legal professional Zachary Cunha said just after a two-year investigation, his business office has charged the company’s CEO and a supervising counselor with overbilling public and non-public insurers for companies that have been supposed to support individuals trying to get treatment for compound use issues. He explained the fraud resulted in “millions of dollars of insured billings” for dependancy therapy and treatment solutions that were being not basically supplied to people.

“Present day prices should provide see that we are not heading stand by in the deal with of this variety of fraud that victimizes a susceptible population by shortchanging them of vital enable,” Cunha stated.

Recovery Link Facilities of The us is headquartered in Providence, and extra than 50 percent of its individuals are from Rhode Island.

The firm’s CEO Michael Brier, 60, was arrested at his property in Newton Thursday morning. Brier is also accused of applying a physician’s prescriber identification devoid of the physician’s information to prescribe dependancy drugs. In addition, prosecutors allege that Brier unsuccessful to disclose a 2013 conviction for tax evasion when he applied to grow to be a substance use condition treatment supplier.

FBI Exclusive Agent in charge of the Boston Division, Joseph Bonavolonta, stated the federal government seized Brier’s house, approximated to be well worth $2 million, two luxurious vehicles and the firm’s headquarters in Providence.

The FBI's Boston division facility in Chelsea, Mass. in 2017. (John Blanding/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
The FBI’s Boston division facility in Chelsea, Mass. in 2017. (John Blanding/The Boston Globe by using Getty Pictures)

Authorities also charged Mi Ok Bruining, 62, of Warwick, Rhode Island, who worked as a supervisory counselor for Recovery Link Facilities of The us. Bruining is alleged to have properly trained other counselors to fraudently bill for products and services. According to an investigator, insurers which includes Medicare and Medicaid were being billed for 45 minute therapy sessions that from time to time lasted fewer than 10 minutes.

“The allegations set forth in this situation characterize a single of the most brazen and egregious illustrations of well being treatment fraud witnessed below in Rhode Island in modern background,” Bonavolonta said. “Most reprehensible is the truth that these alleged crimes have been carried out on the backs of the most vulnerable, individuals struggling with substance abuse, dependency, trying to get to get their lives back again on monitor to grow to be effective members of society.”

Authorities claimed helplines are accessible for the centers’ patients who could require a prescription for dependancy treatment or a referral to a new treatment company. Massachusetts inhabitants may well get in touch with 617-414-4175. Rhode Island residents needing assistance could get in touch with 401-606-5456 or the state’s Behavioral Health and fitness Triage Heart at 401-414-5465.