Lawrence, Ind.-based Options Behavioral Health System is facing 10 lawsuits from former patients and their families alleging the facility held them against their will. In addition, the system has been cited by state and federal authorities over patient care, WRTV reported March 24.
What is known at present?
- Inspectors with the Indiana Department of Health and CMS visited the facility in November 2024 after reports of improper restraints used on patients.
- Inspectors also found the facility used improper restraint and seclusion, did not promote or protect patient rights, and had improper supervision and documentation. This included failing to complete incident reports for patient assaults, physical confrontations and chemical restraint.
- A Feb. 5 letter from IDOH said Options submitted a plan of corrections. The facility was not fined.
- Since September 2024, 10 patients have filed lawsuits against Options for how the facility treated them. This includes two lawsuits which were brought forward in March.
What’s next?
- “We will continue to monitor compliance with these requirements when we complete our required state and/or federal surveys of the facility,” the IDOH said in a letter obtained by WRTV. “The complaint is now closed.”
- CMS also said the facility is now compliant with all Medicare requirements.
- The lawsuits are still in the early stages of the court system.
- Acadia Healthcare is the parent company for Options Behavioral Health System.
“While we cannot discuss specific patient situations due to patient privacy laws, the dignity and well-being of our patients is at the center of all we do, and we have a zero-tolerance policy for behavior that could endanger our patients and staff,” an Acadia spokesperson told Becker’s. “As is our protocol, Options actively collaborates with our regulators to ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory and clinical care requirements. Options is compliant with all federal requirements for participation in the Medicare program. We understand the trust and responsibility placed in us to uphold the highest standards, and Options continues to serve patients and the community by providing the very latest in evidence-based behavioral healthcare.”
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