CHUMP CHANGE for RCA –
Dec. 10, 2025 – Recovery Centers of America (RCA) has agreed to pay $1,000,000 to resolve allegations that it failed to comply with provisions of the Controlled Substances Act that are designed to prevent the diversion of controlled substances for illegal uses, and an additional $1,000,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by billing the government for drug and alcohol treatment services that it failed to adequately provide. The United States’ allegations under the CSA arise from audits and investigations the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted at RCA facilities in Pennsylvania and Maryland between 2019 and 2024. Based on those audits and investigations, the United States contends that RCA dispensed controlled substances in an unlawful manner, that certain controlled substances were missing from the company’s records, and that the company failed to comply with additional recordkeeping requirements of the CSA.
In addition, the United States alleges that, at certain facilities during a period from 2017 through 2019, RCA violated the FCA by billing the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and Medicaid for the care of beneficiaries to whom it failed to provide and document the requisite treatment services.
“Drug and alcohol treatment facilities must prescribe and store controlled substances in a manner that comports with rules designed to ensure that dangerous drugs do not fall into the wrong hands. They also must provide treatment services that comply with all governing laws and regulations,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “When they fail in either of those critical duties they will face significant consequences.”
“When rehabilitation and treatment centers do not live up to their obligations, our office will vigorously pursue the violations,” said Thomas Hodnett, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Philadelphia Division. “Careless behavior and failure to adhere to the provisions of the CSA allows for substances to be diverted and sold without accountability.”
