Arizona Healthcare Fraud Defense Lawyers

Alert: Federal Authorities Targeting Rehab Centers That Treat Native American Patients

Medicaid Fraud Strike Force Alert: Suzuki Law Offices is representing a growing number of substance abuse and behavioral health facilities that are being targeted by an ongoing investigation into healthcare fraud related to the treatment of Native American patients. 

As reported by AZ Central, federal authorities are targeting fraudulent rehab, group housing, and behavioral health residential centers accused of targeting Indigenous populations and billing federal healthcare programs such as Medicaid for unnecessary services or services that were never rendered.

Here are some facts about the investigation:

• The investigation is statewide. Federal authorities, including federal health care regulators and the FBI, are investigating hundreds of rehabs and group homes across Arizona for allegedly preying upon vulnerable individuals with substance abuse and mental health issues from the Navajo Nation and other reservations in Arizona, New Mexico, and South Dakota. Authorities claim these facilities locate and transport individuals to their facilities and instruct them to register for Arizona Medicaid benefits administered by the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), as well as other state and federal benefits. 
• The investigation is ongoing. Authorities are actively investigating providers and working to build evidence for future indictments. Earlier this year, for example, the FBI published a call for Native American victims recruited to live in and receive services from group homes in Phoenix. 
• This is a high-priority enforcement action. Regulators suspect that illegitimate group homes have defrauded the state of hundreds of millions in federal funding – which makes this a high-priority investigation where regulators are likely to take aggressive actions. 
• There are serious penalties at stake. Implicated facilities have been accused of billing for unnecessary services, billing for services not rendered, and other violations and crimes that carry large civil penalties and the potential for criminal prosecution and serious prison time. 

Given the scope and severity of the alleged crimes, all substance abuse and mental health treatment facilities – including those offering both inpatient and outpatient services – should be on high alert for investigations and communications from federal regulators. 

At Suzuki Law Officers, our attorneys are standing by to provide immediate counsel and discuss strategies to intervene in investigations, respond appropriately to prosecutions, and work to limit or avoid what can be life-altering penalties.

If you’ve been charged with Medicaid fraud or other federal healthcare crimes for providing mental health and substance abuse treatment in Phoenix or the state of Arizona, call (602) 842-6762 now to speak with a defense attorney from our team.