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A new investigation by the Wall Street Journal

 details the widespread overbilling of Medicaid dollars, typically used to help subsidize programs for those with low income, for autism therapy services. Christopher Weaver is one of the reporters and he said part of the issue is that the industry is is still relatively new.

“Not all of that is fraud by any means,” he said. “But it's an immature industry with some disputes about what kind of therapy may or may not be appropriate,  and a lot of money sloshing around.”

States mentioned include Minnesota, but also Colorado, Maine, Wisconsin and Indiana. One service provider in Indiana billed $29 million for just 84 patients.

“The company was charging $1,600 an hour for a service that could be rendered by a high school grad with 40 hours of online training,” Weaver added.

Listen to the full conversation by clicking the player above. Find the report 

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Fraud in Minnesota

Cathy Wurzer

Host

Lukas Levin

Author

Millions of Medicaid dollars being paid out for seemingly inflated bills is not an issue only impacting Minnesota, despite spotlighted federal actions against the state. 

Millions of Medicaid dollars being spent due to inflated billing across U.S.

A stethoscope rests on a stack of $50 and $100 bills.

Millions of Medicaid dollars being spent due to inflated billing across U.S.

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