NC Treatment Connection
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Substance use treatment is a lifeline that helps individuals rediscover themselves, reconnect with loved ones, and find lasting hope.
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Patient brokering is a practice where individuals, often referred to as brokers, profit by steering people into treatment facilities that offer kickbacks rather than legitimate care. This practice is widely regarded as unethical and predatory.
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In extreme cases, brokers have been known to supply drugs to individuals in recovery, causing a relapse that they then monetize by referring the person to another facility. Some brokers exploit patients repeatedly, cycling them through multiple facilities and encouraging relapses in between to continue profiting.
Protect yourself and your loved ones—learn the warning signs of patient brokering. If something feels off, ask questions and seek reputable, accredited treatment providers. Your recovery deserves ethical, quality care.
How to Identify a Reputable Provider
Clear and up-front about costs
There should be no surprises about insurance deductibles, co-pays, or out-of-pocket expenses.
Easy-to-Find Contact Info and Address
They have easily identifiable contact information and a physical address.
They’re licensed and accredited
They’re licensed by NCDHHS and accredited by an organization like the Joint Commission Accreditation for Addiction Treatment (JCAHO)’s Gold Seal for Behavioral or a certification of the Commission on Accreditation of Rehab Facilities (CARF).
Transparent about daily routine
Daily activities should include:
â– Group and individual counseling sessions
â– Recreational activities
â– Chores or other responsibilities
â– Support groups
â– Weekday and weekend programming structure
How to Identify Non-Reputable Providers
No photos of facility
Their website shows idyllic scenes and enticing landscapes rather than photos of the actual facility.
Non-licensed or non-credentialed staff deliver services
The staff consists primarily of non-licensed or non-credentialed staff to deliver services. A reputable provider’s staff will include professional clinicians with addiction counseling credentials who deliver evidence-based treatments.
Not transparent about costs
Less reputable facilities may advertise low, all-inclusive prices, only to reveal unexpected out-of-pocket expenses once you arrive. This often includes charges for lab tests like urine screens.
They discuss 'curing' someone in a short amount of time
Struggling with substance use and addiction is a process that usually follows an individual throughout their entire lifetime. It cannot be magically “fixed” in a short time.
More Resources
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Addiction Professionals of North Carolina - Members
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina - Help For Substance Use
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Department of Veteran Affairs - Mental Health and Substance Use
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Disability Rights North Carolina - NC Statewide Substance and Opioid Use Disorder Resources
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The Joint Commission - Accreditation Options and Certifications
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National Institute of Mental Health - Substance Use and Co-Occurring Mental Disorders
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North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services - Mental Health and Substance Use
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ShatterProof - Treatment Atlas
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The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - More Information
The SAFE Act: A Step Toward Protecting Patients
The Stop Addiction Fraud Ethics (SAFE) Act of 2023, which went into effect on January 1, 2024, introduces strict regulations against deceptive marketing, false claims, and unethical referral practices in substance use disorder treatment.
Under the law, treatment providers must disclose accurate information about their services, financial relationships, and treatment approaches.
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The SAFE Act prohibits the following:
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Knowingly offering to pay anything of value, directly or indirectly, in cash or in-kind, or engage in any split-fee arrangement, in any form whatsoever, to induce the referral of a patient or patronage to or from a treatment provider or laboratory.
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Knowingly soliciting or receiving anything of value, directly or indirectly, in cash or in kind, or engaging in any split-fee arrangement, in any form whatsoever, in return for referring a patient or patronage to or from a treatment provider or laboratory.
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Knowingly soliciting or receiving anything of value, directly or indirectly, in cash or in kind, or engaging in any split-fee arrangement, in any form whatsoever, in return for the acceptance or acknowledgment of treatment from a health care provider or health care facility.
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The SAFE Act also set the following Truth in Marketing guidelines for providers:​
Any marketing or advertising materials must convey accurate and complete information in plain language that is easy to understand and include all of the following:
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Information about the types and methods of services provided or used, and information about where they are provided.
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Treatment providers and facilities must also identify the categories of treatment and levels of care as described by the American Society of Addiction Medicine.
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The average lengths of stay at the resident, provider site, or facility.
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The resident, provider site, or facility’s name and brand.
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A brief summary of any financial relationships between the residence, provider site, or facility and any publisher of marketing or advertising.
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North Carolina Treatment Connection
Navigating substance use disorder treatment can be overwhelming, especially when deceptive marketing tactics and unethical practices prey on vulnerable individuals seeking help.
The Addiction Professionals of North Carolina, along with its many partners, including the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, launched NC Treatment Connection - a statewide awareness campaign to help individuals with substance
use disorders find the treatments they need from reputable providers.
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This campaign follows the passage of the Stop Addiction Fraud Ethics Act of 2023 (SAFE Act) by the North Carolina General Assembly, an important milestone in combatting predatory patient brokering practices. Due to the passage of the SAFE Act in 2023, nonprofit organizations, providers, family members, and, most importantly, those seeking treatment will have a clearer path to promoting, sharing, and finding the evidence-based treatment needed from reputable service providers.