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 the submission of false drug testing claims. The settlement resolves accusations that between July 2018 and June 2021, The Opportunity Alliance 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 residential treatment program for homeless individuals with major mental illness or substance use disorders. It is alleged that misleading urine drug requisition forms were sent to clients’ medical providers and used to direct excessive drug tests on certain clients through a third-party lab referred to as “Laboratory A.”
The tests were ordered excessively without regard for individual treatment needs and were not approved as medically necessary. Laboratory A billed Medicare and MaineCare directly for these tests under an agreement with The Opportunity Alliance.
The FCA stipulates that anyone who knowingly presents or causes false claims for payment is liable for triple damages plus penalties. Allegations suggest that by using misleading forms to order excessive tests from Laboratory A, The Opportunity Alliance caused fraudulent claims in violation of the FCA.
The Opportunity Alliance cooperated with federal authorities during the investigation. Authorities encourage healthcare providers’ cooperation in investigations involving potential false claims submissions. It’s important to note that these are allegations only; no liability determination has been made.
The investigation involved several 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.
