Minnesota DHS freezes enrollment for 13 Medicaid services

The Minnesota Department of Human Services announced a freeze on new provider enrollments for 13 Medicaid service categories it says are at high risk for fraud, slated to last at least six months without a listed start date. The agency says currently enrolled providers can continue serving clients and client enrollment is not affected.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services announced a pause on accepting new provider enrollments in 13 Medicaid service categories that it identified as high risk for fraud. The department has not provided a start date for the freeze and said it is expected to last at least six months. Currently enrolled providers may continue to serve clients and client enrollment is not being frozen. The department also said it will allow exceptions to add new providers where capacity is needed. Key details: - The pause applies to 13 categories, including adult companion, day and rehabilitative mental health services, individualized home supports, and residential treatment services. - The department says the freeze is intended to disrupt fraudulent billing and safeguard Medicaid resources. - No start date has been announced; the action is slated to last at least six months. - Currently enrolled providers can continue serving clients and the pause does not stop client enrollment. - Exceptions will be granted to add new providers when capacity is needed. - The action follows recent scrutiny of the agency, including federal criminal charges against some providers, a recent shutdown of the housing stabilization program, a two-year moratorium on new adult day care licenses, suspended payments to 11 providers, and an auditor report citing oversight failures. Summary: The department presents the freeze as a step to address fraud risks while keeping services for current clients in place. The agency will allow exceptions where capacity is needed and says enrolled providers can continue serving members. Undetermined at this time.