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Patient brokering in Florida: how to spot it
Some people get paid to steer patients to rehabs. Here is how it works, and how to protect your family.
Last checked November 2026
RED FLAGS
- Free flights or free rent
- Offers to change your insurance
- Gift cards for going to treatment
What it is
Patient brokering means being paid for sending someone to a health care provider. Florida’s Patient Brokering Act, section 817.505, makes it unlawful to offer, pay, solicit or receive a commission, bonus, kickback or split fee in return for referring a patient.
It matters because a broker’s advice follows the money, not the patient’s needs. In the worst cases, people have been moved from one program to the next as insurance benefits allow.
How to spot it
- Someone you met online or in a meeting offers to get you into a program for free.
- A “helpline” won’t say who it works for or which programs pay it.
- You are offered a flight, rent or cash to go somewhere specific.
- Someone offers to buy insurance for you, or to change your plan.
- A sober home’s rent is free as long as you attend a certain program.
What Florida says about marketing
Section 397.55 bans false or misleading statements about treatment services and locations. It also says a provider can’t use a marketer to generate leads through a call center or website unless patients are told which licensed providers pay that marketer, and are given clear instructions to reach the state’s lists of licensed providers. You can find those lists at Florida DCF.
How we handle this here
This site has one sponsored spot, sold as flat-fee advertising, labelled and named. We are not paid per call, lead or admission. Read how we make money.
What to do if you suspect it
Stop, and don’t give out your insurance details. Check the program with DCF. You can report concerns to local law enforcement or the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Sources
- Florida Statutes, 817.505 Patient brokering
- Florida Statutes, 397.55 Deceptive marketing practices
- Florida DCF, Substance Use Disorder Licensing and Regulation
This is general information, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor about your own situation.
Frequently asked questions
Is it illegal to get paid to refer someone to rehab in Florida?
Paying or receiving a commission, kickback or split fee to induce a referral is unlawful under section 817.505. Some payment arrangements are exempted, so a lawyer can advise on specific cases.
What is the “Florida shuffle”?
A term for moving people between detox, rehab and sober homes to keep billing insurance, rather than for their care.
Are all free helplines brokers?
No. SAMHSA’s helpline is free and government-run. For any other, ask who pays them.
Are paid ads the same as brokering?
Not by themselves. Clear, labelled advertising is different from being paid for each patient. The details matter, so facilities should get legal advice.