Westborough Autism Center Fined Over Improper Billing: AG

WESTBOROUGH, MA — A Westborough based autism center will pay a six-figure fine to settle claims of false billing and improper supervision of staff, according to Attorney General Andrea Campbell.

The $825,000 fine against Autism Resources and Therapy Center was one of two totaling $2.5 million revealed Tuesday by Campbell's office involving MassHealth billing irregularities.

According to Campbell, Autism Resources and Therapy Center billed MassHealth managed care entities for autism services that were "either not rendered and/or not properly documented." The fine also settles allegations that Autism Resources and Therapy Center paraprofessionals were not being properly supervised.

Ubuntu Autism Consultants in Worcester and Autism Behavioral Links, Inc. in Framingham, which are both owned by the same person, were fined a combined $1.7 million by Campbell's office similarly for submitting false MassHealth claims.

"These resolutions ensure that these companies will pay back the money they owe MassHealth and bring themselves into compliance with required state laws and regulations, so our youth receive the high-quality [autism] services they deserve," Campbell said in a news release.

In both cases, MassHealth noticed irregularities when the companies submitted claims for services that could only be overseen or performed by Licensed Applied Behavioral Analysts. In both cases, employees were not supervised by LABAs, Campbell's office said.

On top of fines, the companies have agreed to compliance monitoring programs for the next three years.