(Cheyenne, WY) – Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming is warning residents about a growing number of fraudulent out-of-state mental health and substance abuse treatment centers that prey on vulnerable people looking for help with these conditions.
Victims are recruited to enter treatment facilities via in-person approaches at Wyoming shelters, according to a BCBSWY press release.
These treatment center recruiters have also concentrated on American Indian reservations in several states, including Wyoming, and are registering out-of-state residents for Wyoming insurance policies.
This scheme requires tribal governments, insurers, and government agencies to devote significant resources to investigating and prosecuting fraud, diverting resources away from Native American members who are legitimately enrolled in marketplace plans and instilling distrust in the health-care system.
These scams, which are frequently disguised as out-of-state rehabilitation centers or treatment programs, seek to collect insurance payments for inadequate or non-existent services.
This can leave victims without adequate care and, in some cases, stranded out of state with no way to return to Wyoming.
Victims who do not have health insurance have been coerced into purchasing a policy through the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace at Healthcare.gov, and they have been enrolled with false identification and registration documents.
“These fraud, waste, and abuse schemes frequently use aggressive recruitment tactics, and victims are given misleading or false information about the treatment programs,” said Amy Scharaswak, BCBSWY Director of Population Health, Care Delivery, and Coordination. “Wyoming residents struggling with addiction should know that they are not alone, and there are reputable treatment centers and resources available.
These fraudulent programs exploit people at their most vulnerable moments. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming is dedicated to collaborating to protect the health and dignity of community members affected by substance abuse and mental health disorders.”
BCBSWY advises Wyoming residents to 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 should contact their insurance company and/or report the suspected fraudulent activity to state authorities, such as the Wyoming Insurance Department’s Consumer Affairs Section at (307) 777-7402.
They can also submit a complaint online at doi.wyo.gov/consumers.
BCBSWY is a community-based, not-for-profit health insurer that holds an independent license from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
Our mission has been rooted in Wyoming for 80 years: to provide our members with access to local health insurance solutions that prioritize health, care, and well-being for those who live here.
With eight locations across Wyoming, we provide hometown service to residents and businesses while also serving individuals and non-profit organizations in our communities and throughout the state.
