Investigators are examining potential Medicaid fraud among Minnesota autism services, and state lawmakers say they will consider licensing the providers, whose numbers have increased dramatically across the state.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services has 15 active investigations into organizations or individuals providing certain autism services and has closed 10 other cases, the agency told the Star Tribune. The investigations were first reported by the the Reformer, which wrote last month that the FBI is looking into fraud by autism service providers.
Gov. Tim Walz said Wednesday that he’s “not aware” of an FBI investigation, but is concerned about the allegations of fraud.
Officials with DHS were not available for an interview Wednesday, but the department issued a statement saying: “Early identification and access to services are life-changing for people with autism — especially children. That’s why it’s so important to make sure every dollar spent on services is accounted for.”
The state created a medical benefit about a decade ago for young people with autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. The number of people receiving the early intensive developmental and behavioral intervention benefit and the providers getting paid for the services has climbed sharply in recent years, as have the dollars flowing to those providers.
The providers offer therapy and services. The benefit program is intended to educate and support families of people with autism, help individuals be more independent and participate in their schools and communities and improve their lives long-term.
There were 328 related providers in the state last year, up from 41 in 2018, according to DHS data. The amount the providers were paid has also spiked during that time, from $6 million to nearly $192 million.
The state has withheld payments to seven autism service provider organizations since 2018, according to DHS. Five of those were withheld for credible fraud allegations. DHS said another payment was denied because the provider failed to allow DHS access to records and one was withheld “to protect the public welfare and in the best interests of Minnesota Health Care Programs.”