Radio Program 'In Your Right Mind' Discusses Patient Brokering in a New Broadcast on 790 AM KABC

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., Oct. 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- "In Your Right Mind," a weekly radio program that features in-depth roundtable discussions of today's leading behavioral health headlines, aired an informative show called, "Patient Brokering," on Sunday, October 22, at 5 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on Talk Radio 790 AM KABC Los Angeles. The broadcast discussed bad people who take advantage of vulnerable patients by luring them in and out of treatment by bribes or financial incentives, so they can make a profit. The show is hosted by Tonmoy Sharma, M.B.B.S., M.Sc., founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sovereign Health, who provides an in-depth medical and clinical expertise, and co-host Stefanie Wilder-Taylor.

The broadcast, "Patient Brokering," guest speakers included Melissa Mucci, Desiree Raucci, Audrey Smith, Jamie Callahan and Harry Nelson. Ms. Mucci, Sovereign Health's Lead House Manager, talked about how patient brokering is a practice that is harming patients; Ms. Raucci, Human Resources Administrative Assistant, shared her story of being a victim of patient brokering; Ms. Smith, Senior Legal Counsel at Sovereign Health, spoke about the difference, if any, between marketing consultants in different industries;, the founder and CEO of Team Senior Referral Services, and secretary and senior advisory council at the National Placement & Referral Alliance, who explained how Team Senior Referral Services assists vulnerable seniors and their families find assisted living options which best fit their needs and budgets; and Mr. Nelson, the Founder and Managing Partner of Nelson Hardiman, and President of the American Addiction Treatment Association (AATA), who clarified what marketing consultants are in the mental health and addiction treatment industry.

"There are two different types of patient brokering laws. One is the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, and then there's the Florida law, the Florida Patient Brokering Law," replied Ms. Callahan when asked about the different type of patient brokering. "The legislator basically prohibits it from allowing people to make a commission, bonus, kickback, cash, fee splitting or any one of a long list of things you can't do when referring a patient to a healthcare facility."

The federal Anti-Kickback Statute ("Anti-Kickback Statute") is a criminal statute that prohibits the exchange (or offer to exchange), of anything of value, in an effort to induce (or reward) the referral of federal health care program business, and the 2017 Florida Statues says it is unlawful for any person, including any health care provider or health care facility, to: (a) offer or pay a commission, benefit, bonus, rebate, kickback, or bribe, directly or indirectly, in cash or in kind, or engage in any split-fee arrangement, in any form whatsoever, to induce the referral of a patient or patronage to or from a health care provider or health care facility; (b) solicit or receive a commission, benefit, bonus, rebate, kickback, or bribe, directly or indirectly, in cash or in kind, or engage in any split-fee arrangement, in any form whatsoever, in return for referring a patient or patronage to or from a health care provider or health care facility; (c) solicit or receive a commission, benefit, bonus, rebate, kickback, or bribe, directly or indirectly, in cash or in kind, or engage in any split-fee arrangement, in any form whatsoever, in return for the acceptance or acknowledgment of treatment from a health care provider or health care facility; or (d) aid, abet, advise, or otherwise participate in the conduct prohibited under paragraph (a), paragraph (b), or paragraph (c).

"Dentists, physicians, attorneys and other professionals have long had marketing consultants that refer clients to them," states Dr. Sharma. "Marketing consultants and referrals from A Place for Mom, the National Placement & Referral Alliance and Team Senior Referral Services also seem to increase patients' access to health care options by helping patients identify and locate providers and long-term care facilities that can meet their needs."

For those who are interested in listening to this past show, previous episodes of "In Your Right Mind" shows are available on iTunes or on demand. For additional questions pertaining to "In Your Right Mind," please visit the website or send questions to [email protected].

One factor that differentiates Sovereign Health from other treatment providers is its ability to offer distinct, specialized treatment programs for patients with mental illness, addiction and dual diagnosis at its facilities. For more information, visit www.sovhealth.com.

About "In Your Right Mind"
"In Your Right Mind" is a weekly behavioral health radio show that covers various topics each week, including mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and addiction/dual diagnosis disorders. Dr. Tonmoy Sharma and Stefanie Wilder-Taylor are the hosts of the show. In addition, each program will feature guest speakers throughout the United States participating in a roundtable discussion about headlines in behavioral health. The mission of "In Your Right Mind" is to raise awareness about behavioral health issues that get people talking. The hour-long show airs every Sunday at 5 p.m. PDT on Talk Radio 790 KABC Los Angeles. "In Your Right Mind" is produced in conjunction with Sovereign Health, a leading national provider of behavioral health treatment services. For more information, visit www.InYourRightMind.com.

SOURCE In Your Right Mind

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