The Opportunity Alliance, a South Portland-based residential treatment provider, has agreed to pay $346,369 to settle allegations of violating the False Claims Act (FCA) by causing false drug testing claims. The settlement resolves accusations that between July 2018 and June 2021, the organization submitted false claims to Medicare and MaineCare, Maine's Medicaid program.
On May 22, 2025, a civil complaint was filed against The Opportunity Alliance in the U.S. District Court in Portland by the United States and the State of Maine. According to the complaint, The Opportunity Alliance operates Morrison Place, a program for homeless individuals with major mental illnesses or substance use disorders. Allegedly, misleading urine drug requisition forms were sent to clients' medical providers and used to direct excessive drug tests by a third-party lab known as "Laboratory A." These tests were reportedly conducted without individual medical necessity or valid orders from medical providers.
The FCA stipulates that anyone who knowingly submits false claims is liable for three times the damages sustained by the United States plus civil penalties. It was alleged that The Opportunity Alliance caused Laboratory A to submit fraudulent claims through misleading requisition forms.
The Opportunity Alliance cooperated with federal authorities during the investigation. Authorities emphasize cooperation in investigations involving potential false claims submissions to federal programs. It is important to note that these are allegations only; no liability determination has been made.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine, and Office of the Maine Attorney General. The case is recorded as United States & State of Maine v. The Opportunity Alliance.
