In The Politics of Autism, I discuss the day-to-day challenges facing autistic people and their families. Scams plague the world of autism. Some involve shady or abusive providers.
The state of Minnesota is investigating 15 autism providers and has already completed other investigations, withheld payments due to credible fraud allegations and forwarded cases to law enforcement “when appropriate,” according to the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
DHS said in a statement that these investigations “follow a national trend of identifying fraud in Medicaid-funded autism services.” DHS administers Minnesota’s version of Medicaid, known here as Medical Assistance, which is a federal-state health plan for poor and disabled people.
The Reformer reported in mid-June that the FBI is investigating possible fraud in Minnesota’s autism program, which has exploded in growth since launching in mid-2015.
The number of providers — who diagnose and treat people with autism spectrum disorder — has increased 700% in the past five years, climbing from 41 in 2018 to 328 last year. The amount paid to providers during that time has increased 3,000%, from about $6 million to nearly $192 million — according to DHS data.
“DHS has systems in place to identify fraud, waste and abuse, and the agency takes swift action when we suspect or find it,” the agency said in a statement to the Reformer. “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.”
Minnesota doesn’t license autism centers, but DHS is studying the prospect. When autism providers enroll for reimbursement through Medical Assistance, DHS verifies that they have the appropriate credentials. But beyond that, DHS is not out in the field checking in on what’s happening in autism centers.
