DOJ Enforcement for Treatment Centers

• Federal Agency
• DOJ

U.S. Department of Justice

The DOJ enforces the ADA, Mental Health Parity Act, and drug court funding programs that affect behavioral health operations.

At a Glance

Type

Federal Agency

Acronym

DOJ

Headquarters

Washington, DC

Official Website

Visit site ↗

Founded

1870

Last Verified

Mar 15, 2026

Reading Time

7 min

Why This Matters

• Enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act as it applies to treatment facilities
• Supports mental health parity enforcement through federal litigation
• Funds drug court and treatment court programs through the Office of Justice Programs
• Parent agency of the DEA which regulates controlled substances
• Prosecutes healthcare fraud affecting federal programs

Overview

The United States Department of Justice is the federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of federal law, the administration of justice, and the oversight of federal law enforcement agencies. Established in 1870 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the DOJ is led by the Attorney General and encompasses numerous divisions and agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, and the Civil Rights Division.

For behavioral health treatment facility operators, the DOJ’s relevance extends across several distinct areas. The Civil Rights Division enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act, which has significant implications for how treatment facilities serve individuals with substance use disorders, particularly those receiving medication-assisted treatment. The DOJ supports enforcement of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act through litigation. Through the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the DOJ funds drug court and treatment court programs that generate referrals for treatment providers. And as the parent agency of the DEA, the DOJ oversees the controlled substance regulatory framework within which your facility operates.

The DOJ also prosecutes healthcare fraud, making it relevant to the compliance posture of any facility that bills federal healthcare programs. The intersection of criminal law enforcement and behavioral health treatment has become increasingly prominent as the opioid crisis generated both expanded treatment funding and, with it, fraudulent schemes that the DOJ has pursued aggressively.

Why DOJ Matters for Behavioral Health Providers

The ADA’s application to substance use disorders is one of the most practically significant legal issues facing treatment facility operators. Federal courts and the DOJ have generally established that opioid use disorder and other substance use disorders can qualify as disabilities under the ADA. This means that individuals receiving medication-assisted treatment — using buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone — are protected from discrimination in access to healthcare, housing, employment, and public services.

For treatment facilities, this has immediate operational implications. You cannot refuse to admit, discharge, or deny services to a person solely because they are receiving medication-assisted treatment. Recovery residences and sober living homes affiliated with treatment programs must accommodate MAT participants. Employment practices within your organization must not discriminate against individuals with substance use disorders who are in recovery or receiving treatment. The DOJ has filed enforcement actions and consent decrees against treatment providers, recovery housing operators, and other entities that violated these protections.

Drug court and treatment court programs represent a significant referral channel for treatment facilities. The DOJ’s Bureau of Justice Assistance funds drug courts in jurisdictions across the country, and these courts divert individuals with substance use disorders from incarceration into community-based treatment. Facilities that develop relationships with local drug courts and meet their program requirements receive court-ordered referrals that can contribute meaningfully to census. These referrals often come with structured accountability that supports treatment engagement.

Healthcare fraud prosecution is the DOJ’s most consequential enforcement activity for treatment facility operators. The DOJ has prosecuted numerous behavioral health fraud cases involving patient brokering, billing for services not provided, upcoding, and kickback schemes. The Health Care Fraud Strike Force, a joint DOJ-HHS initiative, has specifically targeted behavioral health fraud in states with high treatment center density. For legitimate operators, the DOJ’s fraud enforcement efforts underscore the importance of billing integrity and compliance program investment.

Key Programs and Services

Civil Rights Division — Disability Rights Section. The DOJ’s Disability Rights Section enforces Title II (state and local government) and Title III (public accommodations) of the ADA. For treatment facilities, this section’s enforcement of ADA protections for individuals with substance use disorders, particularly those receiving MAT, is the most directly relevant activity. The section investigates complaints, negotiates settlements, and files lawsuits against entities that discriminate.

Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). The BJA administers grant programs that fund drug courts, treatment courts, mental health courts, and other problem-solving court models. BJA also funds programs addressing reentry, diversion, and community-based alternatives to incarceration. Treatment facilities can access these programs as service providers under court contracts.

Office of Justice Programs (OJP). OJP provides federal leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to prevent and control crime and administer justice. Through BJA and its other components, OJP funds programs at the intersection of criminal justice and behavioral health. Grant announcements are published on OJP’s grants management system.

Health Care Fraud Strike Force. The Strike Force is a joint DOJ-HHS-OIG initiative that investigates and prosecutes healthcare fraud using data analytics, surveillance, and undercover operations. The Strike Force has conducted major enforcement sweeps targeting behavioral health fraud, particularly in states like California, Florida, and Massachusetts. Takedowns have resulted in charges against treatment facility owners, operators, and staff.

Criminal Division — Fraud Section. The DOJ’s Fraud Section prosecutes complex healthcare fraud cases including those involving behavioral health providers. Prosecutions under the Anti-Kickback Statute, False Claims Act, and healthcare fraud statutes can result in prison sentences, substantial fines, and asset forfeiture.

How DOJ Affects Your Facility

ADA Compliance. Review your admissions policies, treatment protocols, and housing arrangements to ensure they do not discriminate against individuals receiving medication-assisted treatment. Train admissions staff and clinical teams on ADA requirements. If your facility or affiliated recovery housing currently excludes MAT participants, consult legal counsel immediately — the DOJ has made this a clear enforcement priority.

Drug Court Partnerships. Identify drug courts and treatment courts in your service area and explore contracting opportunities. Drug court contracts typically require specific service capabilities, reporting, and communication with court staff. Meeting these requirements positions your facility as a community partner and provides a referral stream of motivated clients. BJA’s drug court directory can help you identify programs in your area.

Parity Advocacy. When payers impose more restrictive coverage for behavioral health services than for comparable medical services, this may violate the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. Document instances where utilization review criteria, prior authorization requirements, or coverage limitations appear to violate parity. Industry associations and state regulators can assist with parity complaints, and the DOJ’s role in parity enforcement adds federal weight to these efforts.

Fraud Prevention. The DOJ’s aggressive prosecution of behavioral health fraud underscores the need for robust compliance programs. Ensure your billing practices are honest, your documentation supports the services billed, and your business arrangements comply with the Anti-Kickback Statute. If you become aware of potentially fraudulent activity within your organization, address it immediately with legal counsel. Self-disclosure to the OIG or DOJ can significantly reduce penalties compared to what results from an investigation.

Staff Education. Educate your team on DOJ-related compliance requirements including ADA obligations, anti-kickback rules, and fraud prevention. Staff at all levels should understand that the DOJ can and does prosecute individual employees, not just organizations, for healthcare fraud violations.

Resources and Contact Information

Official Website: https://www.justice.gov ↗

ADA Information Line: (800) 514-0301

Mailing Address: U.S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20530

Key Resources:

• DOJ Civil Rights Division guidance on ADA and substance use disorders
• Bureau of Justice Assistance drug court program information and grants
• Health Care Fraud Strike Force enforcement updates
• ADA.gov for accessibility requirements and compliance guidance
• DOJ press releases on behavioral health fraud prosecutions
• Mental Health Parity enforcement resources

Frequently Asked Questions

This profile is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, regulatory, or professional advice. Information about this organization may change — always verify current details with official sources. is not affiliated with this organization unless otherwise stated.

Schedule a Demo

helps behavioral health organizations stay compliant, efficient, and connected to the organizations that matter.

Common questions

Official sources

• Visit site ↗justice.gov