It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Milwaukee Avenue Historic District gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Minneapolis, MN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care comes in to help my”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care comes in to help my dad a shower at night. When the guy came out to interview, he was really good and helpful, but it was just hard to find someone to help with dad been a little bit bigger and heavier. They like the person that they had come out a couple of times. The caregiver is good.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Minnehaha Regional Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Capital Grille or visit Hinkle-Murphy House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Minneapolis, MN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Minneapolis, MN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Minneapolis, MN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Dreaming of a White Christmas? The Twin Cities and much of Minnesota might get their holiday wish, after all.William Bornhoft, Patch StaffTWIN CITIES, MN — A White Christmas for the Twin Cities and much of Minnesota is still a "distinct possibility," reports Minnesota Public Radio chief meteorologist Paul Huttner."Too early for details but several inches possible across MN," ...
William Bornhoft, Patch Staff
TWIN CITIES, MN — A White Christmas for the Twin Cities and much of Minnesota is still a "distinct possibility," reports Minnesota Public Radio chief meteorologist Paul Huttner.
"Too early for details but several inches possible across MN," Huttner notes.
On Tuesday, the metro could see more than an inch. Even more could come down on Thursday, but it's not yet clear how much, with models suggesting up to 6 inches possible.
"Some uncertainty still exists on the track of the low, with a general consensus being somewhere between northern and central Minnesota," per the local National Weather Service forecast discussion.
"Forecast snowfall amounts vary slightly as well, but are generally in the 3-6" range along and north of the track of the surface low. The general model consensus this morning has this swath setting up along & north of Interstate 94, but a few solutions do displace it totally to the south across southwest Minnesota & northern Iowa."
Patch will provide ongoing coverage of the storms expected Tuesday and Thursday.
Here's the full NWS forecast from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport:
Monday: Cloudy, with a high near 37. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Tuesday: Snow likely, mainly after 5pm. Cloudy, with a high near 28. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Tuesday Night: Snow likely before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 17. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 20. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow after midnight. Increasing clouds, with a steady temperature around 14. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast after midnight.
Thursday: Snow. High near 25. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph becoming north northeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 9. North northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 16. North northwest wind around 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 2. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 15. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 3. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south southeast after midnight.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 20. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
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A winter weather advisory has been issued for much of central and southern Minnesota, including the Twin Cities metro area.William Bornhoft, Patch Staff|Updated Fri, Dec 13, 2024 at 11:22 am CTTWIN CITIES, MN — A winter weather advisory has been issued for much of central and southern Minnesota — including the Twin Cities metro area — where icy roads are expected.As temperatures shoot into th...
William Bornhoft, Patch Staff
|Updated Fri, Dec 13, 2024 at 11:22 am CT
TWIN CITIES, MN — A winter weather advisory has been issued for much of central and southern Minnesota — including the Twin Cities metro area — where icy roads are expected.
As temperatures shoot into the 30s, an icy wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing drizzle will arrive Friday night and last through Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
Counties included in the advisory are Wright, Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, Washington, Freeborn, Le Sueur, Rice, Steele, Waseca, and Goodhue.
"A mix of snow and sleet is expected initially, but it will transition to a mix of freezing rain and snow through Saturday morning," the NWS said.
"The main concern is travel impacts from a glazing of ice and slick roads. Southeast winds will be light, around 10 to 15 mph, and any icing amounts should be less than a tenth of an inch. For that reason, we do not anticipate impacts to powerlines."
Minnesotans can expect snow accumulations up to one inch, sleet accumulations up to one tenth of an inch, and ice accumulations up to one tenth of an inch.
Here's the full NWS forecast from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport:
Friday Night: A chance of sleet before 2am, then snow and sleet. Temperature rising to around 20 by 5am. East southeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Saturday: Snow and sleet, possibly mixed with freezing rain before 10am, then snow between 10am and 2pm, then snow and freezing rain after 2pm. High near 30. East southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New ice accumulation of less than a 0.1 of an inch possible. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Saturday Night: Cloudy, with a low around 28. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Cloudy, with a high near 37. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 32. South southeast wind around 10 mph.
Monday: A chance of rain before 2pm, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 27. West northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14. North northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 21. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 7. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 24. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph
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The door of Smart Therapy Center is shown in Minneapolis on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (KSTP)FBI agents on Thursday raided two autism centers in Minnesota in connection with an investigation into suspected Medicaid fraud.A 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS camera was there as FBI agents went through Smart Therapy Center on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis. A search warrant application submitted by FBI Special Agent Kurt Beulke indicates agents also searched Star Autism Center in St. Cloud.The affidavit outlines a pattern of alleged fraudu...
FBI agents on Thursday raided two autism centers in Minnesota in connection with an investigation into suspected Medicaid fraud.
A 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS camera was there as FBI agents went through Smart Therapy Center on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis. A search warrant application submitted by FBI Special Agent Kurt Beulke indicates agents also searched Star Autism Center in St. Cloud.
The affidavit outlines a pattern of alleged fraudulent billing and claims these businesses sought hundreds of thousands of dollars in reimbursements through Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI), a state-funded program designed to offer medical services to youths with autism spectrum disorder. Providers can bill for services through health care plans such as Medical Assistance — Minnesota’s version of Medicaid — or MinnesotaCare.
Federal investigators say they found “substantial evidence” that Smart Therapy Center and Star Autism Center submitted fraudulent claims for services that either weren’t provided or weren’t covered under the EIDBI program.
The search warrant application asks for the seizure of documents and computers that may pertain to the EIDBI program.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services, which administers the EIDBI program, confirmed it has had open investigations into both Smart Therapy Center and Star Autism Center for some time.
“Because of concerns about the integrity of autism services, we have stepped up our oversight and are conducting a thorough audit of the program,” DHS Commissioner Jodi Harpstead said in a statement. “DHS is in the process of visiting every single site that participates in this program. We are digging further into cases where we note concerns and will conduct formal investigations if and where needed.”
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS has reached out to Smart Therapy Center and Star Autism Center for comment and is awaiting a response.
FBI investigators likened a recent explosion in EIDBI claims — nearing $400 million in 2023 and 2024 — to the growth of fraudulent claims by Federal Child Nutrition Program sponsors such as Feeding Our Future. In all of 2017, there were 15,720 EIDBI-related claims; by 2023, yearly claims had surpassed 1 million.
Feeding Our Future, the now-defunct Minneapolis nonprofit, is accused of defrauding $250 million in taxpayer money. Charges were filed against 70 defendants, of whom 22 have pleaded guilty and five others have been convicted at trial.
According to the search warrant application, “at least a dozen” people charged in the Feeding Our Future scheme owned, associated with or benefited from autism clinics that received EIDBI reimbursements.
Beulke noted that Smart Therapy Center had even registered as a meal site under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future, claiming to serve hundreds of meals a day.
Qamar Hassan, the owner of Smart Therapy’s purported vendor, S&S Catering, admitted as part of a plea deal that these claims were “grossly inflated.” However, Smart Therapy’s president and CEO, Asha Hassan, was not among the defendants charged in the Feeding Our Future scheme.
As of Thursday, no formal charges had been filed in the investigation.
You can view the search warrant in full below:
FBI agents were seen on Thursday executing search warrants at two autism therapy centers amid an ongoing investigation into possible fraudulent Medicaid claims.Smart Therapy Center LLC in Minneapolis and Star Autism in St. Cloud were raided on Thursday. A search warrant reveals that the investigation into Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Interve...
FBI agents were seen on Thursday executing search warrants at two autism therapy centers amid an ongoing investigation into possible fraudulent Medicaid claims.
Smart Therapy Center LLC in Minneapolis and Star Autism in St. Cloud were raided on Thursday. A search warrant reveals that the investigation into Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) providers was sparked when possible evidence indicating Medicaid fraud was uncovered during the investigation into Feeding Our Future, the nonprofit at the center of a $250 million federal pandemic child nutrition fraud.
Smart Therapy Center, a Minneapolis autism therapy provider founded in 2019, has been in the news since September, when the Minnesota Reformer published an article alleging the center was hiring relatives or young people without education or experience to pay them less and conceal its activities.
On Thursday, FBI officials were seen entering the center. While Smart Therapy did not comment on the allegations, public affairs specialist Diana Freedman confirmed that the "FBI was conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity today."
Another center, Star Autism, had its offices searched in St. Cloud on Thursday. Human Services Commissioner Jodi Harpstead confirmed in a statement to Bring Me The News that the DHS has had open investigations into Smart Therapy Center and Star Autism "for a significant amount of time."
"DHS has open investigations into these providers. We work closely with our state and federal law enforcement partners in oversight of these and other Medicaid programs," Harpstead wrote.
The Minnesota Reformer noted that Smart Therapy had received money from Feeding Our Future, claiming in 2020 and 2021 it served over 199,400 meals and snacks under Feeding Our Future's sponsorship.
The Minnesota Star Tribune reports that federal investigators say Star Autism was "similarly involved in a scheme to fraudulently obtain Medicaid payments."
“Because of concerns about the integrity of autism services, we have stepped up our oversight and are conducting a thorough audit of the program," Harpstead wrote. "DHS is in the process of visiting every site that participates in this program. We are digging further into cases where we note concerns and will conduct formal investigations if and where needed.”
It was reported in September that 15 autism centers in Minnesota were being investigated regarding fraud allegations by the Department of Human Services. The DHS confirmed on Thursday that as of Dec. 12, its investigations unit has 563 open investigations of fraud, 32 of which involve an individual or agency providing EIDBI (autism) services.
DHS has closed 13 investigations into autism providers, which has resulted in a monetary recovery of over $475,000 and fines of nearly $6,000. Five payments have been withheld, with one Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (AG’s Office) referral and four providers terminated.
FBI agents raided two Minnesota autism care providers Thursday morning, marking a significant development in an ongoing investigation into alleged Medicaid fraud.The two providers have ties to the Feeding Our Future fraud case, according to a search warrant unsealed Wednesday, and received more than $9 million in federal Medicaid payments for their autism work between 2021 and 2023.The two care centers raided Thursday are Smart Therapy Center in Minneapolis and Star Autism Center in St. Cloud, which both cater to East African c...
FBI agents raided two Minnesota autism care providers Thursday morning, marking a significant development in an ongoing investigation into alleged Medicaid fraud.
The two providers have ties to the Feeding Our Future fraud case, according to a search warrant unsealed Wednesday, and received more than $9 million in federal Medicaid payments for their autism work between 2021 and 2023.
The two care centers raided Thursday are Smart Therapy Center in Minneapolis and Star Autism Center in St. Cloud, which both cater to East African clients. Smart Therapy Center allegedly received $3.3 million in Medicaid payments, while Star Autism received over $6 million.
No charges have been filed in the case.
“Since 2017, dozens and dozens of autism centers and other companies purporting to offer [Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention] treatment have been created in Minnesota, including by several individuals involved in the ‘Feeding Our Future’ fraud scheme to obtain federal child nutrition program funds,” the search warrant states.
The search warrant lists “Individual A.H.” as the person who registered and co-owns Smart Therapy Center. Records from the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office name Asha Hassan as the person who registered Smart Therapy Center with the state.
A phone number listed for Smart Therapy Center connected to an unrelated automated vacation traveling service.
The search warrant identifies “Individual A.H.Y.” as the person who registered Star Autism Center. Records from the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office name Abdinajib Hassan Yusuf as the person who registered Star Autism Center with the state.
Abdinajib did not return a message seeking comment Thursday afternoon.
Federal agents noticed a sharp increase of Medicaid payments for a state program called the Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention benefit. The benefit offers behavioral therapy to people under 18 diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, and includes promoting their independence and training family members how to support them.
The Medicaid payments for autism services in Minnesota jumped nearly $200 million from 2020 to 2024.
“The investigation has found substantial evidence that many of these companies have been submitting fraudulent claims for [Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention] services that were not actually provided or that were not covered by the [Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention] program,” the search warrant states.
Although Medicaid is a federal program, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) administers the Medicaid dollars for Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention. Department Commissioner Jodi Harpstead issued a written statement confirming that DHS is investigating the two treatment centers.
“We work closely with our state and federal law enforcement partners in oversight of these and other Medicaid programs,” Harpstead’s statement said. “DHS continues to gather and evaluate new information.
“Because of concerns about the integrity of autism services, we have stepped up our oversight and are conducting a thorough audits of the program. DHS is in the process of visiting every single site that participates in this program. We are digging further into cases where we note concerns and will conduct formal investigations if and where needed.”
The payments for autism treatment grew from $32 million in 2020 to $81 million in 2021, according to the search warrant. Payments reached $133 million in 2022 and $201 million in 2023. This year, that number topped off at $228 million.
The exponential growth in these payments reflected a similar growth in how federal funds were awarded to organizations in Minnesota in the Feeding Our Future case, federal investigators wrote in the search warrant.
In the Feeding Our Future case, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) distributed federal food-aid money to the nonprofits Feeding Our Future and Partners in Quality Care, which distributed it further to food vendors and food sites that were supposed to feed children.
Some organizations along the chain reported serving more meals than they actually did in order to receive more federal money. Some never served any meals at all despite claiming that they had. Federal authorities say suspects stole $250 million from the federal government.
Smart Therapy Center participated in the Feeding Our Future scheme for two years, Wednesday’s search warrant alleges, netting $465,000 in federal child nutrition programs dollars for “grossly inflated” meals claims reported through Feeding Our Future. No one with the center is charged in the Feeding Our Future case.
Aimee Bock, the former executive director of Feeding Our Future who is charged as a leader in the fraud, signed an application in July 2020, for Smart Therapy Center to become a food site, according to the search warrant.
The state was hesitant to admit an autism center to the program, but in a September 2020 email, Bock justified the site to MDE, comparing the therapy center to a daycare where “the parent drops the child off and leaves them there for several hours,” the warrant says.
In December 2020, Smart Therapy Center began submitting paperwork reporting the number of meals it served in order to receive reimbursement from the federal government.
The search warrant alleges that Smart Therapy Center, which is located in a strip mall on Nicollet Avenue near downtown Minneapolis, claimed to feed breakfast and lunch to more than 600 children a day, seven days a week at one point.
Smart Therapy Center used S&S Catering as its food vendor, according to the search warrant. Qamar Hassan, the owner of S&S Catering, pleaded guilty last year to money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud in the Feeding Our Future case.
Qamar admitted to submitting false invoices for meals that were never provided. The invoices consisted of fake meal counts for each day, according to the indictment against Qamar. Qamar’s indictment and plea hearing did not mention Smart Therapy Center.
Federal agents believe that a co-owner of Smart Therapy Center is related to Qamar, according to the search warrant.
At least 12 of the 70 defendants charged in the Feeding Our Future investigation owned or received money from clinics that provided autism services, according to the search warrant.
The federal government took note of this during the Feeding Our Future investigation, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office asked the FBI and the federal Health and Human Services Department to review claims for the autism treatment benefit.
The search warrant does not identify any Feeding Our Future defendants who are allegedly part of the Medicaid fraud investigation.
An employee at Smart Therapy Center who worked as a behavioral technician and then as a supervisor reported the alleged fraud to the FBI, according to the search warrant.
The employee told FBI agents that most of Smart Therapy Center’s employees were “18- or 19-year-old relatives of the owners who had no formal education beyond high school and no training or certification related to the treatment of autism.”
Smart Therapy Center’s owners hired these employees, according to the employee, because they were relatives of the owners, cheap labor and were unlikely to “question what was going on at the company.”
The employee explained that a typical day at the clinic involved clients being dropped off at 9:00 a.m. by hired drivers “who billed the state of Minnesota for the transportation services they provided.” Each of these clients were assigned to a behavioral technician tasked with supporting them and giving them therapy.
But the technicians would often arrive at the office around 11 a.m. or later, the employee told FBI agents, even though the supervisors would bill Medicaid for the whole day.
“Some of the behavioral technicians tried to work on ‘goals’ with their clients, but the younger behavioral technicians (who were related to the owners) were usually just on their phones all day,” the employee said, according to the search warrant.
The employee added that many of the clients “did not appear autistic.” The employee also told FBI agents that Smart Therapy’s owner recruited new clients by “talking to parents they knew and even knocking on doors in the community and trying to talk parents into getting their children into autism treatment.”
The employee believed that “Smart Therapy’s owners paid parents of clients to bring their children to Smart Therapy,” according to the search warrant.
The search warrant also alleges that Smart Therapy billed Medicaid for claims by three service providers who did not actually work for Smart Therapy. For example, Smart Therapy allegedly reported to Medicaid that an outside service provider completed 1,555 hours of work, and received $90,000 in reimbursements.
But state employer records show that Smart Therapy only paid $1,900 in total wages to the outside service provider, according to the search warrant.
Smart Therapy Center also allegedly billed Medicaid for 85 claims and received $33,000 for services from another provider. However, that provider, who is not identified by name in the warrant, told FBI agents that they only provided $300 worth of training to Smart Therapy Center and never worked for the organization.
Star Autism Center, which was founded in St. Cloud in August 2020, allegedly obtained Medicaid payments for services that were never provided.
The center billed Medicaid for autism services provided by medical providers who did not actually work for the company or who received little to no money for providing the services. The warrant says some providers were not in the United States at times when Star Autism said they were providing services.
Star Autism received almost $10,000 in Medicaid payments for a provider’s services when they were outside the country, the search warrant says.
Star Autism Center provided a number of “improbably large” claims for services for some clients, the search warrant says. Star Autism Center also allegedly billed Medicaid for services that took place when clients were not available for therapy, such as clients who were in school at the time.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services investigated Star Autism Center in 2022, after receiving a complaint, the search warrant says. The person who complained had conducted an on-site visit at the center and found missing intake documents and personnel files. Signatures were also pre-printed on records. The Department of Human Services referred the case to the Medicaid Provider Audits and Investigations Unit (MPAI) for further investigation.
MPAI reviewed Medicaid claims from the center between February 2021 and February 2022. The investigation found 191 claims with no documents to support the services, and more than 1,400 claims where the provider did not meet qualifications. The case was referred to the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office for investigation.
UPDATE: The story has been updated with a statement from the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
Staff reporter Andrew Hazzard contributed to this report.
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