CHEYENNE, WYO – Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming is warning residents about a rising trend of fraudulent out-of-state mental health and substance abuse disorder treatment centers preying on vulnerable individuals seeking help for these conditions.
Victims are recruited to enter the treatment facilities through in-person approaches at Wyoming shelters. These treatment center recruiters have also heavily targeted American Indian reservations in several states, including Wyoming and are also registering out-of-state residents for Wyoming insurance policies.
This scheme forces tribal governments, insurers, and government agencies to dedicate significant resources to investigate and prosecute fraud, draining resources from Native American members legitimately enrolled in marketplace plans and stirring distrust in the health care system.
Often disguised as out-of-state rehabilitation centers or treatment programs, the true aim of these scams are to receive insurance payments for inadequate or non-existent services. This can leave victims without proper care and sometimes stranded out-of-state with no means to return to Wyoming. Victims without health insurance have been pressured to purchase a policy through the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace at Healthcare.gov and have been enrolled using false identifications and registration documents.
“These fraud, waste and abuse schemes often feature aggressive recruitment tactics and victims receive misleading or false information about the treatment programs,” said Amy Scharaswak, BCBSWY Director of Population Health, Care Delivery & Coordination. “Wyoming residents who are battling addiction should know that they are not alone, and reputable treatment centers and resources are available. These fraudulent programs are a cruel exploitation of individuals in some of their most vulnerable moments. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming is committed to partnerships in protecting the health and dignity of community members living with substance abuse and mental health disorders.”
Wyoming residents should take the following precautions when seeking addiction treatment:
- Verify the credentials and reputability of any rehabilitation center or treatment
- Be cautious of any facility that makes extraordinary promises, offers incentives or payments for health insurance enrollment or treatment, offers free transportation to out-of-state locations, uses high-pressure sales tactics, and/or asks for sensitive personal information upfront.
- Consult a trusted health care provider, therapist, or local support group that can help offer legitimate treatment options.
If a consumer suspects they have been contacted, in connection with a fraudulent scheme, they are encouraged to contact their insurance company and/or report the suspected fraudulent activity to state authorities including the Wyoming Insurance Department, Consumer Affairs Section, at 307.777.7402. They can also file an online complaint at https://doi.wyo.gov/consumers.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming (BCBSWY) is a community-based, not-for-profit health insurer and an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Rooted in Wyoming for 80 years, our mission is to provide our members with access to local health insurance solutions that prioritize health, care, and well-being for those who call Wyoming home. With eight locations across Wyoming, we provide hometown service to residents and businesses while serving people and non-profit organizations in our communities and around the state. Learn more about us at BCBSWY.com.