Nationwide chain of mental health centers accused of unlawfully imprisoning patients
A nationwide chain of for-profit mental health centers is alleged to be holding patients against their will without medical justification to milk insurance payouts, a report from the New York Times said.
Acadia Healthcare is a publicly traded company, operating behavioral health clinics in 19 states. According to the Times, in 12 of those states, patients, employees and law enforcement have filed complaints against Acadia for unethically and illegally detaining people, accusing leadership of abusing laws meant for individuals who pose an immediate threat to themselves or others.
In response, the company has called the claims inaccurate and disputes the characterization.
However, the Times cited multiple sources and specific examples where Acadia exaggerated patients’ symptoms, lied about their health and allegedly tweaked medication dosages to prolong inpatient stays. The company would routinely hold patients until their insurance ran out, reporters said.
In some cases, families would hire lawyers and file legal action to get their loved ones released. In interviews with the outlet, former employees said Acadia had strategies it deployed to get insurance companies to keep paying while patients were being held for dubious reasons.
Read the full feature from the New York Times at the link below.
Chad is an award-winning writer and editor with over 15 years of experience working in media. He has a decade-long professional background in healthcare, working as a writer and in public relations.