Next Step Healthcare, LLC of Woburn, an operator of three skilled nursing facilities in Central Massachusetts, resolved U.S. Department of Justice allegations of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by turning away patients who were prescribed medications for opioid use disorder.
Next Step operates The Hermitage Healthcare in Worcester, Fitchburg Healthcare, and Westborough Healthcare.
The DOJ alleged the company turned away 548 patients being treated for opioid use disorder. People with this affliction are considered to be disabled under the ADA.Â
The patients were seeking treatment unrelated to opioid use disorder.
As part of the agreement with the DOJ, Next Step will adopt a non-discrimination policy against people with disabilities including those with substance use disorders, will provide training for admissions personnel about disability discrimination, and will pay a penalty of up to $92,383, all but $10,000 of which will be forgiven if Next Step complies with the other parts of the agreement.
