The U.S. Department of Justice has announced charges against the principals of an addiction treatment chain for fraudulently charging for services it did not provide to those seeking help in recovery. According to authorities, Recovery Connection Centers of America (RCCA), which operates in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, would bill the government for services it did not deliver, thereby cheating a vulnerable population looking for help.
The Charges to Michael Brier and Mi Ok Bruining
The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha, who accused Michael Brier, 60, of Newton, Massachusetts, the CEO of Recovery Connection, of healthcare fraud, obstruction, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft. Cunha also announced a healthcare fraud charge against Mi Ok Bruining, 62, of Warwick, Rhode Island, who worked as a supervisory counselor with RCCA.
Using the information of doctors without their permission!
Authorities claim that the actions of Brier and Bruining through RCCA defrauded health insurers out of millions of dollars. The charging documents allege that the company would bill for 45-minute counseling sessions, but those sessions were often only 5 or 10 minutes long. Prosecutors also alleged that Brier and Recovery Connection submitted fraudulent information on an application submitted to Medicare, which concealed Brier’s role in the business and his 2013 criminal tax conviction.
Furthermore, Brier filed fraudulent prescriptions using the information of doctors without their permission, and he tried to launder the millions of dollars in fraudulent proceeds the company received through home renovations, investment accounts, the purchase of luxury vehicles, and even an oceanfront resort in Panama.
“What makes the fraud scheme that we have charged today particularly pernicious is that not only was this scheme, as we allege, designed to defraud by enriching these defendants with federal and private healthcare dollars they did not earn but that in the process it cheated a vulnerable population of recovery patients out of the full, genuine support and treatment that they need to have a chance at recovery,” Cunha said.
1,600+ patients in Rhode Island and Massachusetts
Recovery Connection serves more than 1,600 patients in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, with 13 centers in Massachusetts and 2 in Rhode Island. The Justice Department said that as a result of its investigation, an opioid rapid response program had been created to assist impacted patients.
In the wake of the recent closure of Recovery Connection Centers of America (RCCA), patients in Massachusetts, including Fall River and Taunton, who were receiving addiction treatment at Recovery Connection are left with uncertainty about their treatment and care.
Fall River Suboxone Doctor is here to help
For patients in need of a new Suboxone prescription, please contact the Fall River Suboxone Doctor at 508-217-3418. Patients can call this number to obtain the necessary medication to ensure the continuity of their treatment.
The recent healthcare fraud investigation involving Recovery Connection Centers of America may have left many individuals needing opioid use disorder treatment without access to the care they need. However, the Fall River Suboxone Doctor recognizes the importance of continuity of care and is dedicated to helping those impacted by this investigation.
If you or someone you know has been displaced from their previous provider and needs continuing care for opioid use disorder treatment, Fall River Suboxone Doctor is here to help. Our team of experienced providers can assist individuals in finding the care they need and can continue providing ongoing care, such as medication-assisted treatment, behavioral therapy, counseling, and personalized outpatient treatment programs.
The Fall River Suboxone Doctor offers Suboxone treatment through in-person and telehealth appointments for individuals in areas affected by Recovery Connection’s location closures. These areas include Attleboro, Brockton, Burlington, Dartmouth, Dedham, Fall River, Hyannis, Natick, Plymouth, Boston-Roslindale, Springfield, Taunton, and Worcester.
Our Suboxone clinic offers in-person appointments for individuals seeking face-to-face interaction with a treatment provider. We also offer telemedicine appointments that provide many benefits and ensure patient privacy. Our telehealth service is a convenient and flexible option that allows clients to easily schedule appointments at times that work best for them.
Everyone deserves access to high-quality healthcare, and we are committed to providing compassionate and comprehensive care to all our patients. If you need assistance in finding a new provider or continuing your opioid abuse treatment, call us at 508-217-3418. Our team is ready to support you every step of the way.
This case highlights the importance of ensuring that addiction treatment providers deliver the services they claim and that patients receive the support and treatment they need for recovery. The Department of Justice’s actions serves as a warning to those who seek to exploit vulnerable patients for financial gain.
