(The Center Square) – Ohio improperly paid a Toledo-area behavioral health agency nearly $2 million in taxpayer funds, according to a new state audit.
State Auditor Keith Faber said his office is recommending repayment of about $1.87 million by Empowered for Excellence Behavioral Health of Ohio after a traditional audit of Medicaid providers.
Empowered by Excellence is certified with the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and was paid $14.9 million to provide nearly 115,000 substance use disorder, mental health and professional medical services between Jan. 1, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2023.
Faber said his office found instances where treatment plans did not authorize services that were provided, missing documentation to support reimbursements and services more than daily limits.
The Ohio Department of Medicaid handles health care and other programs for nearly 3 million lower-income Ohioans, older adults, people with disabilities, pregnant women, infants and children.
The state auditor has an agreement with the Ohio Department of Medicaid to audit the state’s Medicaid providers to find out if providers are following state and federal reimbursement regulations.
It’s up to the Ohio Department of Medicaid or the attorney general’s office to take action following the audits.
