Acadia Healthcare Detaining Patients

September 11, 2024
KBA Attorneys
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The New York Times recently exposed disturbing patient concerns about a behavioral health organizations. The investigation raises serious concerns about Acadia Healthcare. Part of the attention to Acadia arises from a recent settlement with the government over abuse allegations. The Acadia Healthcare scandal is unfolding now.

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Patients Accuse a Large Behavioral Healthcare Group – Acadia Healthcare – of Serious Misconduct

Acadia Healthcare, one of the country’s largest behavioral healthcare providers, is allegedly admitting and holding patients at the company’s inpatient psychiatric hospitals without patient consent and without proper medical justification. The reason for this is so Acadia can bill the insurance companies for the maximum amount coverable under the patient’s health insurance, more than $2,000 per day.

Acadia Healthcare has more than 250 behavioral health locations across the U.S. and provides residential, detoxification, substance abuse, mental health, outpatient, intensive outpatient (IOP), and inpatient levels of care. Specifically, Acadia operates 54 psychiatric hospitals in the U.S. Patients can be admitted to the hospital and receive inpatient levels of care. New information about the Acadia Healthcare scandal is emerging.

Acadia Healthcare’s Alleged Wrongful Detention of Patients

Acadia allegedly admitted patients to these psychiatric hospitals without their consent and held them for days. A New York Times investigation cited an example of a social worker who was held for six days in a hospital. This comes after she was simply trying to obtain a medication adjustment. The investigation also found that it was often not until the patients’ families or lawyers got involved that the patients were finally released.

How Are Patients Being Harmed?

Patient Well-Being: Extended stays can negatively impact a patient’s mental health, understandably increasing feelings of entrapment and anxiety. This can cause significant trauma and lead to further mental health treatment and/or diagnoses.
Financial Impact: Unnecessary hospitalization can lead to inflated medical bills, affecting both patients and their insurers.
Ethical Violations: Medical facilities are bound by ethical codes that prioritize patient care over profit. Violating these principles can erode public trust and endanger lives.

What Are Patients Alleging Happened at Acadia Healthcare?

What really happened? It appears the hospital system was overmedicating the children. Apparently, more broadly, they allegedly were (are?) holding patients against their will without sufficient bases. The Acadia healthcare scandal reminds us of a case we handled against a mental health facility.

There, the minor child went trusted the facility to help adjust her meds to reduce suicidal ideation. While inpatient, a nurse dispensed the wrong drug. When parents complained, the hospital tried to sweep it under the rug.

One of the parents caught on to what was happening and contact the hospital to intervene. Her daughter was suffering from and complaining about weird side effects. Only after pulling her child out against medical advice, did she learn the truth.

We learned the hospital had given the minor child the wrong medication. When the parent originally tried to discharge her daughter, the hospital fear-mongered the mom. They tried to convince her not to discharge her child. The mom followed her instincts and took her daughter out of the hospital and to another medical center for urgent treatment.

That other medical facility confirmed someone gave the child the wrong medication, and she was suffering the after effects of drug poisoning. It could have been much worse had the mother not trusted her instincts and child.

We found evidence that the hospital was engaging in a scheme of fraud, a pattern of misrepresentations. They wanted to keep the child there. Sounds like the allegations against Acadia as part of the Aacadia healthcare scandal – taking advantage of vulnerable children and adults. We fought hard for this victim and got them much deserved compensation, exposing the healthcare provider for deceptive and negligent conduct. Hence, we are passionate about the Acadia healthcare scandal.

KBA Has Fought for Patients Like this Before

In addition to fighting for patients as medical device attorneys, and as medical malpractice lawyers, KBA has experience with these cases. In fact, our law firm dealt with a similar situation against a local hospital that promised to care for teenagers and young adults who were struggling with depression and mental health issues. Parents placed their children in the hospital’s care with the belief that the hospital would give them necessary medications and treatments. They aware also under the assumption that the hospital would keep the parents informed of their children’s progress. They did not. Rather, they provided in accurate info and stymied informed consent. They tried to keep the child in the facility, someone analogously to the Acadia healthcare scandal.

What to Do if You or a Loved one Suffered at Acadia

When you or a loved one seeks mental health treatment, the expectation is clear. They should receive the necessary medical care and support to recover and safely return home. If you or someone you know is being or has been held against their will at a healthcare facility, it is important to take the following steps. Document everything, and keep records of the treatment, including discharge recommendations and communications with the healthcare facility. You should always consult the guidance of a trusted healthcare provider as well.

How Our Experienced Attorneys May Be Able to Help

Our law firm handles personal injury cases, including those involving medical malpractice and unethical practices by healthcare facilities. We want to ensure that patients receive the care they deserve without exploitation for financial gain.

If you have been the victim of wrongful detention, overmedication, or negligent medical care, or suspect a psychiatric facility has held you or a loved one longer than necessary, contact us today for a free consultation. We are here to advocate for your rights and seek justice for any harm caused.