Recovery Residences - Florida Ute Gazioch Director of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Florida Department of Children and Family Services Bethesda, Maryland

Background Treatment providers and recovery residences engaging in criminal activities and unethical practices: Patient brokering Insurance fraud (i.e., overbilling, unnecessary UAs) Clinical laboratories: kickbacks & split-fee arrangements Deceptive marketing practices Targeting Individuals from out-of-state Inadequate care and treatment Doctors serving as medical director for numerous facilities Lack of statutory authority to penalize licensed treatment providers Lack of accountability and collaboration with regulatory agencies

Voluntary Certification The 2015 Legislature passed HB 21 which established voluntary certification Voluntary Certification of Recovery Residence Administrators Florida Certification Board approved as credentialing entity Voluntary Certification for Recovery Residences Florida Association of Recovery Residences approved as credentialing entity Utilizes the NARR standards As of 5/1/2018, there are 363 Certified Recovery Residences in 25 counties, totaling 5,386 beds.

Examples of Certification Requirements Code of ethics Policies and procedures Good neighbor policy Satisfactory fire, health, and safety inspections Onsite inspection Interview residents and staff Fee schedule Training requirements and continuing education Background screening for administrators Referrals from and to licensed treatment providers

Sober Home Task Force FY2016-17, Legislature funded Palm Beach State Attorney to create the Sober Home Task Force December 2016 - Grand Jury Report on the Proliferation of Fraud and Abuse in Florida’s Addiction Treatment Industry January 2017 – Sober Home Task Force Report Collaboration with state and federal law enforcement to assist with investigations – Palm Beach County law enforcement starts making arrests Collaboration on recommendations to the Legislature leading to HB 807

House Bill 807 The bill went into effect July 1, 2017 and addresses unethical practices by recovery residences and substance use treatment providers, including: Deceptive Advertising Patient Brokering Overutilization of Drug Testing Insurance Fraud Human Trafficking Poor Quality of Care

Changes Resulting from House Bill 807 Expands prohibitions on referrals between treatment providers and uncertified recovery residences Prohibits deceptive marketing practices and provides criminal penalties for violations & requires licensure Enhances background screening requirements Adds patient brokering to the offenses that constitute “racketeering activities” Mandates accreditation of treatment providers Mandates standards for clinical practices/management/personnel Creates classifications for deficiencies and violations, and authorizes administrative fines

Recovery Oriented System of Care Florida’s vision is to establish an integrated, values based recovery oriented system of care where recovery is expected and achieved through meaningful partnerships and shared decision making with individuals, communities, and systems Key Priorities Promoting Collaborative Service Relationships Training and Technical Assistance Promote Community Integration Increase Peer-Based Recovery Support Services Develop a Strong Recovery-Oriented Workforce

Ute Gazioch (850) 717-4322 Ute.Gazioch@myflfamilies.com Contact Information Ute Gazioch (850) 717-4322 Ute.Gazioch@myflfamilies.com