Arizona’s Medicaid agency, AHCCCS, cracked down on fraudulent behavioral health facilities in 2023, leading to the suspension of hundreds of providers. However, critics believe this was an over-correction following the state’s $2 billion loss due to fraud. Reva Stewart and her team, Stolen People, Stolen Benefits, are helping those displaced by sober living homes that closed during the crackdown. Since the moratorium on new providers was lifted in December 2024, vulnerable people battling addiction are being recruited once again.
There have been allegations of fraud, such as paying members with free housing and billing for deceased or incarcerated individuals. Providers must now pass heightened screenings to prevent fraudulent billing. Despite the crackdown, the homeless population in Arizona increased by 3.5% in 2024, with many individuals remaining unsheltered.
Maricopa County’s annual homelessness count aims to understand the factors contributing to homelessness, while Stewart’s team continues to provide aid to those affected by the closure of sober living facilities. Residents in the area of 51st Avenue and Baseline Road attest to ongoing issues with sober living homes, describing the situation as deplorable. Stewart emphasizes that the situation has become a “revolving door.”
Overall, the crackdown on fraudulent behavioral health facilities in Arizona has exposed systemic issues that continue to affect vulnerable populations. Stolen People, Stolen Benefits remains committed to providing support to those impacted by the closure of these facilities, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by individuals battling addiction and homelessness in the state.
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