Federal Medicaid Audit Uncovers $285 Million in Overpayments for Autism Therapy in Colorado

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General identified $285.2 million in improper and potentially improper payments to clinicians providing applied behavior analysis (ABA), a widely-used autism therapy in Colorado. The audit found significant billing irregularities and overpayments within the Medicaid program. ABA is an evidence-based behavioral intervention commonly used to help individuals with autism spectrum disorder develop social and communication skills. This discovery highlights the importance of proper oversight of behavioral health services and raises concerns about similar billing practices in other states, potentially affecting access and costs for autism treatment programs nationwide.