Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs announced new actions against more than 100 medical service providers for defrauding the state and targeting vulnerable populations, particularly people in Arizona’s tribal nations.
During a May 16 news conference, Hobbs said these service providers targeted vulnerable people struggling with homelessness and addiction and promised them food, treatment, and housing at group homes and rehabilitation facilities.
“People are then left in these facilities without proper access to health care and treatment services,” Hobbs said. “Instead, they’re allowed and sometimes encouraged to continue using drugs and alcohol.”
Once in the facilities, the victims are often not allowed to leave or contact their relatives, she said, all while the providers continue to bill the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)—Arizona’s Medicaid program—for services….