By: Christopher A. Parrella, Esq., CPC, CHC, CPCO
Parrella Health Law, Boston, Ma.
A Health Law Defense and Compliance Firm

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has unveiled criminal charges of healthcare fraud against Recovery Connection Centers of America. The allegations involve fraudulent activities amounting to many millions of dollars while affecting up to 1,800 patients.

Overview of the Case
Recovery Connection Centers of America, led by CEO Michael Brier and supervisor Mi Ok Bruining, is accused of defrauding health insurers by billing for services that were not provided and by falsifying the duration of treatment provided to patients. This fraud reportedly involved misrepresenting 45-minute counseling sessions that were purportedly reduced to just a few minutes, yet billed at full session rates.

Allegations and Charges
Michael Brier, along with Mi Ok Bruining, face serious charges including healthcare fraud. Brier’s involvement is particularly notable given his past conviction for tax evasion. The charges also allege that Brier assumed the identity of a doctor to write fraudulent prescriptions, further complicating his legal exposure.

Legal and Regulatory Implications
The legal ramifications of such cases are vast, impacting not just the accused individuals and entities but also setting precedents for how similar cases are handled in the future. The Recovery Connection case might influence regulatory measures concerning how recovery centers operate and are monitored, possibly leading to stricter compliance and oversight protocols to prevent such egregious fraud in the future.

Conclusion
The case against Recovery Connection Centers of America serves as a reminder of the importance of robust compliance programs and vigilant oversight to reduce and avoid the risks and exposure such as the type that has been charged here. At Parrella Health Law, we are dedicated to assisting healthcare providers in navigating the complex regulatory environment to safeguard against fraud and ensure compliance with all applicable laws. If you require guidance or support in ensuring your operations adhere to legal and payer standards, please contact us at 857.328.0382 or email me at cparrella@parrellahealthlaw.com.

Christopher Parrella, ESQ, CPC, CHC, CPCO, is the founding partner of Parrella Health Law in Boston, Mass. The firm focuses exclusively on healthcare defense and compliance matters. Chris also travels the country on behalf of a wide range of healthcare organizations, lecturing on a variety of health care enforcement and compliance topics. Chris is one of a handful of health care attorney’s that are also Certified Professional Coders (CPC) and is a member of the AAPC’s National Legal Advisory Board and Ethics Committee.  He is also a Certified Professional Compliance Officer (CPCO) and Certified in Health Care Compliance (CHC.)