A message from Dr. William Beecroft
Beware of unethical substance use treatment centers

A news report on NPR* earlier this year highlighted what some are calling the “dark side” of substance use disorder treatment.

The report cited a peer-reviewed study,* published in the February issue of the journal Health Affairs, indicating that many for-profit rehabilitation programs charged inflated fees and used misleading sales practices to attract patients, without evaluating their actual medical needs. For people suffering from addiction, these types of practices can not only hinder their progress, but sometimes cause irreparable harm. High-quality medical care, on the other hand, can make a big difference in a person’s recovery, leading to a healthier life.

The study showed that the people answering the phones at rehab programs were often salespeople using aggressive marketing tactics to demand high up-front costs, averaging more than $1,700. And the sales pitch often focused on things that have nothing to do with medical care — things such as swimming pools, gourmet food, massage and acupuncture.

Further, the research team found that most of the programs didn’t provide medication-assisted treatment, considered the “gold standard” of care for substance use treatment.

These findings are especially disturbing due to an increased number of people dying from substance use overdoses during the pandemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 81,000 died of drug overdoses last year.

While there are many good treatment programs available, families and patients trying to find help often have trouble differentiating legitimate rehab programs from unethical ones.

Finding a good rehab facility

One tool that’s extremely helpful for individuals searching for a good facility — and for health care providers looking for a high-quality facility for their patients — is the Blue Distinction Center Finder, offered by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. As you may have read before, the association’s Blue Distinction^® Specialty Care program recognizes doctors and facilities with a proven history of delivering exceptional care in nearly a dozen areas, including substance use treatment and recovery.

When using the Blue Distinction Center Finder tool, simply scroll down to Substance Use Treatment and Recovery, select your state and click on Search to find a facility in your state. BDC designations are also identified on Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s Find a Doctor search tool, which can be accessed from the homepage of bcbsm.com.

For more details on the BDC Substance Use Treatment and Recovery designation — and information on how providers can apply for designation — see this article, which is also in this issue of the newsletter.  

Feel free to email me at WBeecroft@bcbsm.com if you require more information.

Dr. William Beecroft is the medical director of behavioral health for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network.

*Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan doesn’t own or control this website.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.