Drug Rehabs California Vs. Patient Brokering
Drug rehabs California are starting to feel the pain of new patient brokering laws and it’s only going to get worse. Learning from history is one of the most valuable tools in life. What California is now experiencing in drug rehab marketing legislation, Florida has been through. Florida with its “new Florida model” has set the pace for patient brokering laws in the drug and alcohol addiction treatment industry. A local South Florida drug rehab marketing agency that has been fighting patient brokering with 14 ethical marketing conferences is bringing the education to California to save lives.
Drug Rehabs California New Laws Affecting Marketing
Drug rehabs California and drug rehabilitation centers across the US have been operating unethically for many years. The heroin epidemic has exposed many fraudulent practices in this 40 billion dollar a year industry. Lawmakers are making their way across the nation with patient brokering laws to save lives and protect the vulnerable. The new laws in California are going to directly affect the ability to operate in the state if they are operating unethically, or adopt a healthy business and marketing mix.
California Drug Rehabs Need Proven Business and Marketing Strategies
The California Department of Healthcare Services (DHCS) website displays a Temporary Suspension Order, Revoked and Notice of Operation in Violation of Law Program List. This list has 84 drug and alcohol addiction treatment centers.
Drug rehabs California and sober livings are going to have to adopt ethical business and marketing practices to survive. They need to look at and understand what happened in Florida over the past 1–1/2 years to navigate the new and difficult landscape. Some ethical treatment centers in Florida were forced to close their doors.
Whether California drug rehabs are operating ethically or participating in some form of patient brokering, they must adopt new business and marketing strategies. Digital Darwinism is the #1 reason these centers have failed. Substance abuse facilities across the nation are losing the battle between drug rehab marketing SEO vs. Digital Darwinism.
California Addiction Conference Coming in 2022
In Florida, many substance abuse treatment centers received ethical and proven business strategies at 14 EMP (Ethical Marketing Practices) Addiction Executive Conferences. There will be a 3rd California conference series to Costa Mesa, California in 2022. You can keep checking Behavioral Health Network Resources official California addiction conferences website.
Their last California addiction conferences EMP Series event attracted 175 attendees and 25 exhibitors. This series is not the typical conference offered in the industry. It provides a unique talk show host and Town hall forum with now PowerPoint presentations.
5 Executives Providing Proven Business and Marketing Solutions
The event features 5 proven, drug rehab marketing and business Executive Thought Leaders on a panel. They are asked several questions by the host, and then the event is an open forum. The event is structured for CEO, Executives, Directors, and Outreach to get ethical and proven marketing solutions that they can put into place immediately. This California drug rehabs premiere event is Co-chaired by Rehab Marketing Pros. It will have local attendance from drug rehabs Los Angeles and participants from as far away as New Jersey.
When you or a loved one decide to attend a drug and alcohol addiction treatment enter, your life is in the hands of that center. In California there are some ethical and responsible operators, however, there are some reckless operators.
These operators are just in it for the money. When picking, for instance, the best drug rehabs California offers you need to make sure your life is in good hands. Make sure they provide evidenced-based treatment and have a well-qualified staff.
What Are the Patient Brokering Laws for Drug Rehabs California?
Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) signed the SB 1228, Lara. Alcoholism or drug abuse recovery and treatment services: referrals law on September 27, 2018. This law demonstrates that California will no longer tolerate patient brokering by substance use treatment centers and individual’s partaking in unethical marketing. Lawmakers still have much work to do with sober homes and enforcing the new laws.
While California used Florida laws to mold their legislation, it has some more severe ramifications that deter unethical practices. For instance, under the law, either the addiction treatment center or individual professional can have their license or credentials revoked, extended or denied. If a substance use disorder (SUD) facility loses its license, it will take about 18 months to reopen. Florida does not have this law on the books for drug rehabs West Palm Beach.
What Does the California Patient Broker Law SB 1228 Say?
The intent of this article is to provide educational information to drug and alcohol addiction treatment centers, sober living facilities and the general public. It is not to be construed for legal advice. you should consult with a California behavioral healthcare law firm on any legal advice. Below is SB 1228 law for informational purposes that apply to drug rehabs in Los Angeles and all of California.
Section 2–11831.6 is added to the Health and Safety Code
The following persons, programs, or entities shall not give or receive remuneration or anything of value for the referral of a person who is seeking alcoholism or drug abuse recovery and treatment services:
- An alcoholism or drug abuse recovery and treatment facility licensed under this part.
- An owner, partner, officer, or director, or shareholder who holds an interest of at least 10 percent in an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery and treatment facility licensed under this part.
- A person employed by, or working for, an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery and treatment facility licensed under this part, including, but not limited to, registered and certified counselors and licensed professionals providing counseling services.
- An alcohol or other drug program certified by the department in accordance with the alcohol or other drug certification standards established pursuant to Section 11830.1.
- An owner, partner, officer, or director, or shareholder who holds an interest of at least 10 percent in an alcohol or other drug program certified by the department in accordance with the alcohol or other drug certification standards established pursuant to Section 11830.1.
- A person employed by, or working for, an alcohol or other drug program certified by the department in accordance with the alcohol or other drug certification standards established pursuant to Section 11830.1, including, but not limited to, registered and certified counselors and licensed professionals providing counseling services.
- Notwithstanding the rule making provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department may, if it deems appropriate, implement, interpret, or make specific this section by means of provider bulletins, written guidelines, or similar instructions from the department, until regulations are adopted.
Section 3–11831.7 is added to the Health and Safety Code
- The department may investigate allegations of violations of Section 11831.6. The department may, upon finding a violation of Section 11831.6 or any regulation adopted pursuant to that section, do any of the following:
- Assess a penalty upon an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery and treatment facility licensed under this part.
- Suspend or revoke the license of an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery and treatment facility licensed under Chapter 7.5 (commencing with Section 11834.01), or deny an application for licensure, an extension of the licensing period, or modification to a license. Article 4 (commencing with Section 11834.35) of Chapter 7.5 shall apply to any action taken pursuant to this paragraph.
- Assess a penalty upon an alcohol or other drug program certified by the department in accordance with the alcohol or other drug certification standards established pursuant to Section 11830.1.
- Suspend or revoke the certification of an alcohol or other drug program certified by the department in accordance with the alcohol or other drug certification standards established pursuant to Section 11830.1.
- Suspend or revoke the registration or certification of a counselor for a violation of Section 11831.6.
- The department may investigate allegations against a licensed professional providing counseling services at an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery and treatment program licensed, certified, or funded under this part, and recommend disciplinary actions, including, but not limited to, termination of employment at a program and suspension and revocation of licensure by the respective licensing board.
- Notwithstanding the rule making provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department may, if it deems appropriate, implement, interpret, or make specific this section by means of provider bulletins, written guidelines, or similar instructions from the department, until regulations are adopted.
Drug Rehabs California Must Learn from Florida
Drug rehabs California need to learn from Florida. Florida was the first state to focus on patient brokering laws in the substance abuse industry. They have set the pace for the nation, but it has affected some ethical operators that did not change their business and marketing strategy. Many had poor drug rehab marketing strategies in place. The media was quick to jump on the bandwagon providing, for the most part, unethical journalism.
The negative “Florida shuffle” press and isolated exposure of patient brokering in Florida caused individuals seeking addiction treatment to stay away. This caused some ethical drug and alcohol addiction treatment centers in Florida to close their doors. More importantly, it may have put them into life-threatening situations that are happening across the nation. This negative press is now being experienced by California with the media’s “Rehab Riviera” label.
Finding the Best Drug Rehabs in California
1. Drug rehabs San Diego rehabilitation centers can be found on LinkedIn. His is a trusted resource as all the members are business professionals. There are company pages that list many rehabs. There are also services pages that have a huge amount of information on drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
2. Facebook is an absolute must for listing substance abuse treatment services. There are 2 billion users on this medium. As like LinkedIn there are business pages with many choices for addiction treatment. When searching best drug rehab in San Diego provider research their rehabilitation services and be ready to call at least three providers. Be aware of recovery addicts they are patient brokering. Stay with the actual treatment centers business pages. If you are offered anything for free (rent, airfare, etc…) it is a scam.
3. When seeking drug rehabs San Diego California on Google you may or may not see a 3 pack listing in the maps section. If it is there be careful as there are many fake map listings. It is much safer to pick from the organic listings. Stay away from any paid listings as a majority are scams. Always click through to the website and check the URL. Also go to the bottom of the treatment centers home page and look for a physical address.
4. California has some drug rehabs Los Angeles options. There are several therapeutic options centering around evidence based treatments. Be conscience to look for rehabilitation centers that treat co-occurring disorders. Look to make sure the substance abuse counselors are credentialed. You should ask to speak with the Doctor and a counselor prior to making your decision to attend.
5. When seeking the best drug rehabs Los Angeles many start with searching on Google. Be sure to dig deep and research their treatment options. The first page has 3–6 paid ads and 3 maps listings. The first 3–6 are paid ads and should be avoided. The maps section should also be avoided as these are scammed by some unethical operators. The organic searches under the paid ads and the maps are difficult to achieve. Here you will find in depth research material.
6. Drug rehabs Los Angeles addiction treatment centers for substance abuse can be found on many websites. They carefully explain their services like inpatient, IOP, and alcohol detox. This is valuable information that will help you make a good decision on which rehabilitation center to attend. Try searching the treatment centers exact name. If they are ethical you should see many options on a lot of different websites.
7. California drug rehabs must adhere to marketing laws while advertising to potential clients. There are patient brokering laws in place to protect individuals seeking rehabilitation services. Understanding the patient brokering laws is critical for anyone seeking help for substance abuse issues.
8. A medical detoxification is needed for many before entering addiction treatment. Alcohol detox San Diego is commonly searched. This process clears the body of all drugs and makes an individual ready for treatment. Alcohol detox should always be performed by a qualified physician. You can also get comfort medications to ease the pain of withdrawal.
9. The patient brokering laws originated in the Sunshine state. Drug rehabs in Florida were the first to experience patient brokering laws. However, this cause some good addiction treatment centers to close their doors. They were playing by the laws, while some patient brokers were not. Understanding these regulations will help you pick the most ethical substance abuse treatment centers.
10. When seeking the best California drug rehabs there are two main areas. Drug rehabs Los Angeles and San Diego provide the highest level of medical care. They are Joint commission accredited which means they provide the same level of care as hospitals. If you are seeking inpatient, opiate detox, intensive outpatient, or alcohol detox centers these are some of the best choices.
Ethical Drug Rehab SEO Marketing and Business Strategies
Drug rehabs California need to adopt ethical and healthy business best practices. Many need to look closely at their current marketing plan and drug rehab marketing mix. As Florida has experienced, relying on laissez-faire strategies will put your business at extreme risk. Mainly using boots on the ground, calls centers and PPC are not enough with the rapidly changing environment. you may also want to join the exclusive California Addiction Professionals Referral Group.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on the regulation in the drug rehabilitation industry. Leave a comment below.
