Complaint Review: Renew Family Services

Here is how it works:

Renew Family Services offers a free "Drug and Alcohol Assesment" (whatever that means).

Hope tries to make it seem as if there is "scarcity" for "beds" when there really isn't.  So many of these so-called "rehabs";"sober living;" etc have "popped-up" recently that they are all in competition with each other for "bodies;" and, the competition is fierce.  

So; what they do is they have independent sales reps out there like Hope Stein try to "push" their clients into going "in-patient."

To my understanding; it is not legal for establishments like "Renew Family Services" to receive kick-backs for referring people to other facilities.  So; what they do is structure in such way that it is not legally a kick-back; but, in reality it is.  I do not have time to "dissect;" but, suffice to say that all of these places have (shady) "agreements" with each other that are legally dubious; at best.

This is the reason that the Drug and Alcohol Assessment at RENEW is "free;" and, they will even come to you is because Hope gets HUGE rebates ie "kick-backs" (if you decide to go "in-patient").

Also; popular television shows like "Intervention" have been providing "free advertising" (and legitamacy) to this crap when none of it has even remotely been demonstrative to be effective in combatting Addiction.  In fact; the "confrontational" nature of "interventions" and "rehab" have not only been proven to ineffective; but, they have also been known to pour fuel on the fire for most addicts.  They will all claim that the individual was just "not ready for the help;" but, it has been my experience that confrontation does not solve anything.  

At the time of this writing; (unlike traditional Medicine/Psychology) there is no "governing body" that "dictates" exactly what "Addiction Treatment/Recovery" is or how it is to be "carried-out."

Yoga, meditation; getting to "know your true self" (whatever that means?); diet; etc have had zero success in treating addiction.  EMDR has had miniscule success at treating addiction.

Sadly; "group" (and even) individaul therapy (where you do get to the "root-cause" of the addiction) have only been modestly successful at treating Addiction/preventing "relapses;" very modest.

Again, being that there is no "governing body" to say otherwise; Hope can "hold herself out" as an "expert" (and bill the insurance at an astronomically high rehab-rate).  It may be disgusting, morally reprehensible, etc; but, it is all completely legal.

Frankly; it is not financially advantageous for "Renew Family Services"/in-patient rehabs; etc for the addict to stop using.  In fact; this entire industries' "bread-and-butter" comes from chronic relapsers.  And, this is a fact; not an "opinion" or a "testimonial."

It is just an execuse for the insurance companies, employers; and the Criminal Justice System to be able to claim:  "We tried EVERYTHING."

The best way to think about Hope Stein is of a sales rep rather than a legitamate Mental Health Professional.

The best way to think about "Rehab" is like " Automobile-Shopping" rather than legitamate medical/Psychological treatment.  Think about it:  What other area of Medicine or Psychology involves "admitting that you are powerless and surrendering to a higher-power?"  PU-LEASE.....

You can "Google" this s**t; I just wish that I would have been "privy" to this information before "starting-up" with Hope Stein or Renew.

Here is how it works:

Renew Family Services offers a free "Drug and Alcohol Assesment" (whatever that means).

Hope tries to make it seem as if there is "scarcity" for "beds" when there really isn't.  So many of these so-called "rehabs";"sober living;" etc have "popped-up" recently that they are all in competition with each other for "bodies;" and, the competition is fierce.  

So; what they do is they have independent sales reps out there like Hope Stein try to "push" their clients into going "in-patient."

To my understanding; it is not legal for establishments like "Renew Family Services" to receive kick-backs for referring people to other facilities.  So; what they do is structure in such way that it is not legally a kick-back; but, in reality it is.  I do not have time to "dissect;" but, suffice to say that all of these places have (shady) "agreements" with each other that are legally dubious; at best.

This is the reason that the Drug and Alcohol Assessment at RENEW is "free;" and, they will even come to you is because Hope gets HUGE rebates ie "kick-backs" (if you decide to go "in-patient").

Also; popular television shows like "Intervention" have been providing "free advertising" (and legitamacy) to this crap when none of it has even remotely been demonstrative to be effective in combatting Addiction.  In fact; the "confrontational" nature of "interventions" and "rehab" have not only been proven to ineffective; but, they have also been known to pour fuel on the fire for most addicts.  They will all claim that the individual was just "not ready for the help;" but, it has been my experience that confrontation does not solve anything.  

At the time of this writing; (unlike traditional Medicine/Psychology) there is no "governing body" that "dictates" exactly what "Addiction Treatment/Recovery" is or how it is to be "carried-out."

Yoga, meditation; getting to "know your true self" (whatever that means?); diet; etc have had zero success in treating addiction.  EMDR has had miniscule success at treating addiction.

Sadly; "group" (and even) individaul therapy (where you do get to the "root-cause" of the addiction) have only been modestly successful at treating Addiction/preventing "relapses;" very modestly.

Again, being that there is no "governing body" to say otherwise; Hope can "hold herself out" as an "expert" (and bill the insurance at an astronomically high rehab-rate).  It may be disgusting, morally reprehensible, etc; but, it is all completely legal.

Frankly; it is not financially advantageous for "Renew Family Services"/in-patient rehabs; etc for the addict to stop using.  In fact; this entire industries' "bread-and-butter" comes from chronic relapsers.  And, this is a fact; not an "opinion" or a "testimonial."

It is just an execuse for the insurance companies, employers; and the Criminal Justice System to be able to claim:  "We tried everything."

The best way to think about "Rehab" is like "Car-Shopping" rather than legitamate medical/Psychological treatment.  Think about it:  What other area of Medicine or Psychology involves "admitting that you are powerless and surrendering to a higher-power?"  PU-LEASE.....

You can "Google" this s**t; I just wish that I would have been "privy" to this information before "starting-up" with Hope Stein or Renew.

Here is how it works:  Hope is billing the insurance for "Rehabilitative Services;" meanwhile, she (and her staff) are essentially just conducting (shoddy) "therapy;" etc.  Also; she needs an MD around to "aurthorize those $2,000.00. urine tests and another to come in and prescribe the suboxone, etc.

The insurance "pay-out" rate is higher (and more abundant) for Rehab than it is for traditional Counseling Services. All calls go through hope so she gets her "cut" of the appointment.

No one even really works here; they are all part-time independent contractors. "Renew Family Services" is (on paper; anyway) a "Drug/Alcohol Rehab Facility" which entitles her to bill for a higher rate. 

Hope has been investigated for Insurance Fraud; but, what she is doing is not (technically) illegal.  It is just a shady "loophole;" and, Hope Stein is "milking it" for all that it is worth while providing little-to-no "value" for addicts and their families.

This is probably the reason why that when you "say something that they don't like;" they will "drop" you as a client; fast..

And; I tried one of those "groups."  It was non-existent as only one other person showed up; and, the "moderator" read questions from a paper.  Again; it was just an execuse to bill the insurance (for the higher rehab rate). 

Also; it seems as if Hope finds her staff "off of the street." 

Renew is just a phony racket that is "dressed-up" and presented to desparate; suffering; and ignorant as "treatment;" when, in fact it is not.

If I would have known that the owner of "Renew Family Services;" Hope M. Stein of 6009 Creekside Drive, Flourtown PA had been arrested, charged, and; subsequently convicted of "Possession of a Controlled Substance/Gun on a public street;" I would have never have used this service.

 If you are legitimately interested in "getting clean" than go somewhere else. Renew Family Services is just an insurance billing scheme.

 This provider is an ardent liar. You would have to be CRAZY to trust this "chop-shop" with a problem of this MAGNITUDE!

Do not let them talk you into going "in-patient" if you have been on "benzos" for any length of time.  Trust me; just DON'T DO IT!

Also; I believe that this establishment gets "referral fees" from in patient rehabs; sober living; etc.  So; keep that in mind when making your decision. 

Always, always remember that the "recommendations" being made here are for THERE best interests; not YOURS!.

Despite repeated outreach for appropriate care, Hope Stein failed to provide necessary care and my family member suffered a relapse after three days of withdrawal with no medical evaluation by Renew. This facility is more of a cult than a treatment facility. Part time M.D. and part time psychiatrist are not accessible directly to families. All calls go through Hope Stein. Hope Stein has repeatedly been caught misrepresenting information and, in at least two instances, blatantly lying.

A request for records release or the form to request a records release was responded to with "I'm not providing anything". What's this treatment provider hiding?

ALSO; EVERYONE SEEMS TO KNOW EVERYONE ELSE'S "BUSINESS" AT THIS FACILITY- BOTH PATIENTS AND STAFF(when they don't need too).  I have heard Hope Stein talk about clients "behind their backs" to both staff (who have no business knowing) and to other clients (who CERTAINLY have no business knowing).  It is all "hearsay"; so, you will never be able to prove it.  But; DON'T make the mistake in BELIEVING THAT YOUR PRIVACY won't be INVADED if you go here.

I don't know who is the BIGGER IDIOT; Hope Stein or ME for even LISTENING to this SHYSTER to begin with...

DOESN'T WORK; WASTE of MONEY!

npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/05/02/602908208/questions-raised-about-study-of-device-to-ease-opioid-withdrawal

statnews.com/2017/08/23/bridge-opioid-detox-marketing/

I believe that outfits like "Renew" are more akin to SALES ORGANIZATIONS rather than actual "treatment centers."  In my opinion; that entire industry is PHONY and it preys on peoples' desperation and fear rather than being legitamate and providing a scientific-based solution(s) for a very serious problem... 

Also, much like the pharmaceutical companies that "unleased" opioids into the public claiming that they were not addictive; I do not believe the "claims" made by the rehab industry either.  I believe the results are ABYSMAL at this and other places like it. 

They all will claim that the addict did not "work" hard enough (or some nonsense like that) when (In my opinion) most of the treatment offered is unproven to help treat drug and alcohol addiction; especially over the long term.

I believe that Renew Family Services is just a "Cash-Grab" that makes money off of desparate and suffering people while providing little value in return; especially over the long-term....

When I was a client at Renew Family Services I would often get "EOB's" from an MD whom I have never even met. 

When I asked Hope Stein about it; she made up a story claiming that IOP's operate as a "facility" and that MD was a part of the facility.  At the time; I did not think much of it as I do not know anything about Medical Billing. 

Meanwhile; I called up the MD's office from my EOB's that I had received from Renew Family Services to inquire about them.  

They told me that last year, their boss; an elderly Neurosurgeon turned Pain/Addiction Specialist had simply RENTED SPACE from Hope Stein at Renew Family Services in 2017 until the space that they initially wanted would be ready. 

Meanwhile, they claimed that unbeknownst to the elderly MD; Hope Stein made her "Medical Director" (or some other phony title) at Renew; and, subsequently began using the elderly doctor's NPI number (without her knowlege or permission).  They claimed that they are STILL trying to "unentangle" themselves from Hope Stein; and, that no one TRUSTS her.  Also; they claimed that Hope Stein has been investigated for Insurance Fraud.

I do not know if any of this is really true or not; but, I do believe that (in hindsight) I received a lot of "questionable" EOB's in the mail when I was a client at Renew Family Services (I have really good insurance). 

At the time; I was just so enthusiastic that I was "getting help" that I did not care whom the name on the EOB was...

I just had yet another; this time a young, well-respected Psychiatrist who works for a well-respected Health System CONTRADICT Hope Stein and (elderly Psychiatrist) recommended.  He was straight-forward, up-to-date, and "to-the-point." 

He did not believe me when I told him that someone recomended/authorized a "10 day detox" for a 27 year "Benzo" prescription.  No one that I have told my experience with Renew could believe it!

I simply do not trust "Addiction Medicine/Addiction Treatment" & "Recovery" industry.  If I would have done my "due-diligence" before hand rather than trusting these "experts" than I would not have gone to them in the first place.

LIVE & LEARN....

I have finally received my medical records from this provider.  Thank you.

Members of the local News Media have agreed to meet with me about doing a "package" about Renew Family Services & the nature of the "Addiction Treatment & Recovery" Industry.  

I put in a written request via US Mail to this provider for my Medical Records and did not even receive response from them.  That's some NERVE; even by THEIR standards (or lack-of).

Does anyone know what Renew Family Services is trying to hide???

If you watch some of these documentaries on youtube; and, do a little research you will find out the entire "Addiction Treatment & Recovery" is all just "smoke & mirrors."  This is probably why the success rate is abysmal; especially over the long term.  Remember, it is not you who failed; it is because the "treatment" itself is phoney. (In my opinion)

For decades, Americans have clung to a near-religious conviction that rehab — and the 12-step model pioneered by Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous that almost all facilities rely upon — offers effective treatment for alcoholism and other addictions.

Here’s the problem: We have little indication that this treatment is effective. When an alcoholic or drug addict goes to rehab but does not recover, it is he who is said to have failed. But it is rehab that is failing alcoholics and drug addicts.

The therapies offered in most U.S. drug/alcohol treatment centers are so divorced from state-of-the-art of medical knowledge that we might dismiss them as merely quaint — if it weren’t for the fact that alcoholism is a deadly and devastating disease.

Renew Family Services sent me to one of these places; and, it subsequently made my problem(s) WORSE!

Long term use of benzodiaspines must be slowly tapered.  The "10 day detox" protocol that this agency condones will cause more problems than the benzos themselves.  Replacing them with psychotropic drugs will not work.  The CADC & Medical staff at this facility are awful.

Dr. Ganime is too old to be in practice.  I'm not even sure that he could hear what I was saying; during session I was talking about one thing and he was talking about another.  Also; very old school blaming the parents junk.   Needs to retire.