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Providers Targeted By State Audit Express Concerns About Interruption of Behavioral Health Services

Providers of mental health and drug abuse counseling targeted by a state audit are expressing concern about interruption of services.

NMInDepth.Com reports 15 behavioral health providers are having their Medicaid payments suspended while the state investigates over-billing, potential fraud , and other violations.

New Mexico Human Services Department officials say they're working to line up assistance for the organizations, but no details are yet available.

Patsy Romero, who's with Easter Seals El Mirador in Santa Fe, says her organization serves 89 clients with disabilities. Without Medicaid payments, Romero says, El Mirador won't be able to continue to provide services.

HSD provided summaries of the audits to New Mexico In Depth but did not include details about specific alleged wrong-doing. The summary says the providers over-billed the Medicaid program $36 million over a four year period ending in 2012.

Elaine Baumgartel was KUNM's News Director from 2013 to 2019. She was local Morning Edition host from 2007 through 2012 and she regularly hosted the station's live news and public affairs show for some years. Elaine originally came on board at KUNM as a volunteer and student employee in 2003.