Montana Addiction Recovery Program in Trouble with Healthcare Providers
The Montana labor department is facing difficulties deciding on the best companies to execute its professional assistance programs for healthcare providers. The company, currently under contract to run the Montana Recovery Program for medical professionals dealing with addiction issues, is now facing a lawsuit from state doctors and nurses who are unhappy with the program.
Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers struggling with addiction often must enter state-mandated assistance programs in order to keep their license to practice. But what happens when that program imposes excessive costs and requirements on participants? If you’re a medical professional facing this problem, you should seek trustworthy legal advice to help you navigate this tricky situation. You want to do everything you need to do to keep your license, but you also want to avoid getting stuck in a program that’s costing you too much time and money.
The Professional License Defense Team at the LLF National Law Firm can help you work with your licensing board to figure out the best strategy for dealing with your addiction struggles. And we can help you assess whether your recovery program is negatively impacting your progress and career. Call us at 888-535-3686 or complete our confidential contact form to get started.
Montana Lawsuit Highlights Problems with Recovery Program
A group of Montana doctors and nurses has filed a class-action lawsuit against Maximus, Inc., the company in charge of the state’s recovery program since 2023. The lawsuit alleges that Maximus has prioritized financial gain over recovery support for program participants. Specifically, the lawsuit claims that Maximus has subjected participants to “punitive, expensive, and clinically unwarranted monitoring practices,” including keeping participants in the program for extended periods, charging exorbitant fees for drug tests, and failing to follow clinical recommendations.
This case is just one example of continuing complaints against the state-mandated program that includes more than 60,000 medical licensees across Montana. The Montana Department of Labor and Industry has struggled to find a reliable company to operate its recovery program, and a nonpartisan audit has determined that participants are less satisfied with Maximus than previous vendors.
State law requires medical licensing boards to offer healthcare professionals monitoring and assistance programs to help with substance abuse and mental health issues. These programs are often responsible for providing drug testing, peer support, and workplace guidelines for these medical professionals.
Montana’s labor department is continuing to review existing state laws about these programs, as well as the scope of Maximus’ contract.
The LLF National Law Firm is on Your Side
Regardless of the state where you practice, your license as a healthcare provider is fundamental to your livelihood. If you have a history of substance abuse or mental health struggles and are facing requirements to participate in a recovery program, you need a legal team on your side to protect your best interests.
The Professional License Defense Team at the LLF National Law Firm can help you evaluate whether your state licensing board’s mandated recovery program is the right avenue for you. We can work with the licensing board to help ensure its requirements are fair and beneficial to you. If you’re already in a recovery program, we can help make sure the program is doing its job to support your recovery. We know how to protect your rights and secure your license as a healthcare provider. Contact us at 888-535-3686 or complete our online contact form to schedule a consultation.