Case Studies
View all case studies

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Auditing Services 

HMA’s team of expert behavioral health auditors from Crestline Advisors performs audits of behavioral health services, including applied behavior analysis (ABA) services, for a Medicaid health plan in Virginia (“the client”). The client refers cases to HMA when there are allegations of possible fraud, waste, or abuse (FWA) concerning documentation and/or billing practices for these services.

ABA is an evidence-based behavior therapy for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disorders. In recent years, the diagnosis of ASD and subsequent demand for ABA services has increased. State Medicaid administrations and Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) are tracking increased ABA utilization and wait times for these services, and in some situations are investigating quality of care and/or FWA concerns. Types of FWA concerning ABA therapy services may include billing for services not rendered, billing for ABA services without documentation of ABA-specific interventions, billing for services by unqualified individuals, or billing more units than the documentation supports, to name a few. 

We have a deep bench of licensed behavioral health clinicians and coders with many years of experience in conducting audits for MCOs, state Medicaid administrations, and providers. Given our expertise, we understand the importance of the golden thread of documentation that should underlie billing, including assessments and treatment plans which identify the need for ABA services and documentation of ABA service interventions, supervision, and family training. 

HMA’s team of expert behavioral health auditors from Crestline Advisors performs audits of behavioral health services, including applied behavior analysis (ABA) services, for a Medicaid health plan in Virginia (“the client”). The client refers cases to HMA when there are allegations of possible fraud, waste, or abuse (FWA) concerning documentation and/or billing practices for these services.

ABA is an evidence-based behavior therapy for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disorders. In recent years, the diagnosis of ASD and subsequent demand for ABA services has increased. State Medicaid administrations and Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) are tracking increased ABA utilization and wait times for these services, and in some situations are investigating quality of care and/or FWA concerns. Types of FWA concerning ABA therapy services may include billing for services not rendered, billing for ABA services without documentation of ABA-specific interventions, billing for services by unqualified individuals, or billing more units than the documentation supports, to name a few. 

We have a deep bench of licensed behavioral health clinicians and coders with many years of experience in conducting audits for MCOs, state Medicaid administrations, and providers. Given our expertise, we understand the importance of the golden thread of documentation that should underlie billing, including assessments and treatment plans which identify the need for ABA services and documentation of ABA service interventions, supervision, and family training. 

Download
Ready to talk?