WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW) appreciates the multi-departmental enforcement action in Minnesota announced today, which targets fraud, waste, and abuse in state-managed Medicaid programs. As part of that action, autism treatment providers were charged with a $400 million fraud scheme that allegedly included kickbacks to parents, fraudulent diagnoses, and spurious billing practices.
“ABHW applauds CMS’s commitment to rooting out fraud, as evidenced by today’s announcement,” said Debbie Witchey, President and CEO. “Our members are dedicated to ensuring ABA services are delivered using high-quality, evidence-based approaches. Removing bad actors is an important component to protecting patients and strengthening access to appropriate, quality care.”
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an important treatment option for autism and other behavioral health conditions when it is individualized, evidence-based, clinically appropriate, and delivered with strong safeguards for quality and program integrity. ABHW supports CMS’s efforts to ensure that individuals and families in need receive access to the quality services they deserve.
ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS
ABHW is the leading health plan association working to improve access and quality of care for mental health and substance use disorders. ABHW’s members include national and regional health plans that care for 200 million people. Together, we work to reduce stigma and advance federal policy on mental health and substance use disorder care. ABHW member companies – Aetna, a CVS Health Company; CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield; Carelon Behavioral Health, an Elevance Health Company; Centene Corporation; Evernorth; Kaiser Permanente; Lucet; Magellan Health; Molina Healthcare; Optum; and PerformCare, a subsidiary of AmeriHealth Caritas. To learn more, visit www.abhw.org and follow us on BlueSky, LinkedIn, and X.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jennifer Salopek
Salopek@abhw.org
703-909-9059
