Andrew Lynch, PhD
Acadia Healthcare's Man at the Table
Chief Strategy Officer, Acadia Healthcare
Overview
Chief strategist of the largest pure-play for-profit behavioral health company in America — 260+ facilities, 70,000+ patients daily — which is under active DOJ criminal investigation, carries a Corporate Integrity Agreement from a prior $17M fraud settlement, and faces $800M+ in fraud settlements and jury verdicts including mass sexual assault lawsuits across multiple states. He now advises CMS on healthcare policy.
Career Arc
Professional Timeline
November 2022–Present
Chief Strategy Officer
Acadia Healthcare
VP Home Solutions ($2B) / VP Healthcare Services BD ($500M+ acquisitions)
Humana
Principal, Strategy & Operations
Google/Verily (30+ healthtech investments)
Consultant
McKinsey & Company
Business Interests & Affiliations
- •Acadia Healthcare — 260+ facilities in 39 states, 70,000+ patients/day. Largest pure-play for-profit behavioral health company in the US.
- •NABH board chair-elect (National Association for Behavioral Healthcare).
- •Acadia lobbying: ~$522,500 through Armory Hill Advocates since 2021 on Medicare behavioral health regulations.
Red Flags
Conflicts & Concerns
Active DOJ/SDNY criminal investigation (September 2024) on admissions, length of stay, and billing.
Grand jury subpoena (W.D. Missouri) same day as DOJ request.
SEC anticipated document requests disclosed in September 2024 8-K.
$19.85M DOJ False Claims Act settlement (2024): knowingly billed Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE for medically unnecessary inpatient behavioral services.
$17M settlement (2019) — largest healthcare fraud settlement in West Virginia history. Active five-year Corporate Integrity Agreement with HHS-OIG.
$400M and $405M jury verdicts (2023) for sexual abuse of minors at facilities.
New York Times investigation (September 2024): Acadia detained patients against their will in at least 12 states, holding people until insurance ran out, charging up to $2,200/day.
$31M in investigation-related costs in Q1 2025 alone.
Fourth Circuit (February 2025): reversed dismissal of qui tam case alleging fabricated therapy notes and billing for sessions that never happened.
Physician-Owned Hospital Relevance
Lynch is the chief strategist of a company under active federal criminal investigation with $800M+ in fraud settlements and jury verdicts. He advises CMS on healthcare policy while his company lobbies the same agency. No stated interest in physician ownership.
Sources