FBI raids 2 Minnesota autism treatment centers

FBI agents raided two autism treatment centers in Minnesota as part of an investigation into alleged Medicaid fraud, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported Dec. 12. 

Agents searched Smart Therapy Center in Minneapolis and Star Autism Center in St. Cloud, Minn. 

Payments to facilities in Minnesota, paid for through the Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention program, skyrocketed between 2017 and 2020, according to an affidavit filed by the FBI to apply for search warrants for the facilities obtained by the Star Tribune.

In 2023 and 2024, Minnesota companies billed the state $400 million for these services, up from $1.7 million, according to the FBI. Many of these claims may be fraudulent, the agency said. The raids are part of a larger investigation into the state's program to reimburse treatment for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. 

The owner of Star Autism Center told the Star Tribune there was "nothing like" fraudulent billing at the facility. 

A behavioral technician formerly employed by Smart Therapy Center told FBI agents most of the employees at the facility were 18- and 19-year-old relatives of the owners with no formal training for autism treatment. Both facilities being investigated by the FBI billed Medicaid for services agents said could not have taken place, because clients were at school, traveling and recovering from surgery at the time the claims were billed. 

Read more here. 

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