Federal authorities have raided two Minnesota autism treatment centers, Smart Therapy Center in Minneapolis and Star Autism Center in St. Cloud, on grounds of submitting fraudulent claims for services. This investigation is a result of the Feeding Our Future scandal, which involved $240 million in fraudulent claims. The Minnesota Department of Human Services is investigating 15 autism centers, including the two raided centers, for fraud.
The alleged scheme involves charging Medicaid for care not provided, with claims in Minnesota soaring from $2 million to over $250 million since 2017. The executive director of the Autism Society of Minnesota, Ellie Wilson, expressed concerns about insurance driving care decisions rather than patient needs. The search warrant revealed that some kids at Smart Therapy Center did not appear autistic, and the center hired unqualified staff who did not provide services.
The owner of Smart Therapy Center is accused of recruiting clients through door-knocking and possibly paying parents with white envelopes for bringing their children. The FBI and U.S. attorney are currently not commenting on the investigation. This developing story is becoming a political issue, raising concerns about potential fraud in Medicaid claims for autism treatment services. With ongoing investigations and allegations, the focus is on ensuring that patients receive the necessary care without being exploited by fraudulent practices.
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