From The Conversation · Ilan Shrira · · 2m
More rehab centers mean more overdoses in Orange County
Out-of-state patients in California's rehab hub overdose at twice the rate of locals.
In brief
Out-of-state patients in California's rehab hub overdose at twice the rate of locals. Orange County's high concentration of rehab centers leads to twice as many overdoses among out-of-state patients compared to locals. Originally reported by The Conversation.
Boyd's story
Boyd, a 24-year-old from Chicago, overdosed on fentanyl after multiple readmissions to a rehab center in Orange County.
“He was found unresponsive in the bathroom at that facility”
Orange County's rehab hub
Orange County has 14 treatment centers per 100,000 residents, far exceeding the national average of 5.
“14 treatment centers per 100,000 residents in orange county compared with 5 per 100,000 nationwide”
Insurance fraud scheme
Rehab centers bill insurance companies for unnecessary services at inflated prices, pocketing up to $3,000 per day per patient.
“from a few hundred to us three thousand dollars per day for each patient”
Out-of-state patients at risk
Out-of-state visitors to Orange County rehab centers overdose at 159% higher rates than out-of-state visitors elsewhere in California.
“out-of-state visitors to the study area were treated for 316 overdoses. here, overdoses were a staggering 159% higher than expected”
Insurance coverage gaps
Patients with insurance coverage end up being kicked out of rehab centers after their coverage expires, risking homelessness or relapse.
“patients who are far from home may not be able to afford the return trip”
Predatory treatment schemes
Rehab centers recruit out-of-state patients with free housing and travel, then bill insurance for unnecessary services.
“there is even a market of third-party patient recruiters who get large kickbacks from treatment centers for each patient they bring”
Weak oversight
California's health agency takes nearly a year to investigate complaints, and three months after a patient dies at a rehab center.
“taking an average of nearly a year to complete most investigations and about three months to do so after a patient dies”
Study findings
Out-of-state patients in Orange County overdose at 159% higher rates than out-of-state patients elsewhere in California.
“out-of-state visitors to the study area were treated for 316 overdoses. here, overdoses were a staggering 159% higher than expected”
Treatment industry risks
Predatory schemes cause overdoses and drain healthcare costs, with patients facing homelessness or relapse after insurance coverage ends.
“patients who are far from home may not be able to afford the return trip”
Study area
The study focused on a 10-city region in Orange County with 35 treatment centers per 100,000 residents.
“the study area had 35 treatment centers per 100,000 residents”
Overdose rates
Out-of-state patients in Orange County overdose at 159% higher rates than out-of-state patients elsewhere in California.
“out-of-state visitors to the study area were treated for 316 overdoses. here, overdoses were a staggering 159% higher than expected”
California's oversight
California's health agency has been criticized for lax regulations and slow complaint investigations in the addiction treatment industry.
“the california department of health care services, the state agency that licenses and oversees addiction treatment centers, has been criticized as having lax regulations”
What happens next
Patients traveling for treatment should be cautious about facilities they have never seen in person.
“one important takeaway for people considering treatment, and for their families, is to be very cautious about traveling far from home to enter a facility you have never seen in person”
The takeaway
Orange County's high concentration of rehab centers leads to twice as many overdoses among out-of-state patients compared to locals.
