Latest news with #Medicaid-backed
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Minnesota mother says Medicaid-funded program falsified documents, billed for hours of help she never received
A Minnesota mother is speaking out after she discovered the Housing Stabilization Services (HSS) had falsified records of her case, allegedly offering her months of help when in reality, she was barely contacted by the agency at all. Rachel Lien, a recovering addict who needed support setting up in her new apartment with her son, was referred to Brilliant Minds Services by a friend. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Brilliant Minds is, on paper, one of the top service providers for the HSS program. When Lien got in touch with one of their representatives, she explained that she had already found housing, but needed help with paying for things like cleaning supplies and a vacuum. Lien waited months for help, eventually receiving a vacuum and nothing else, in spite of her multiple attempts to follow up on her request. In the meantime, local news station KARE 11 reports Brilliant Minds staff were falsifying documentation on her case, detailing many visits, apartment hunting on her behalf and other services totalling 30 hours of billable time for the agency. 'I never met with them,' Lien told KARE 11. 'It's a scam, a total scam.' Minnesota's HSS program is one of the first of its kind in the country. This Medicaid-backed program provides support for those looking for low-income housing, help with moving expenses and guidance on transition and housing retention services. The goal of the program is primarily to help older adults and people with disabilities find and keep safe and affordable housing. However, the program is unlicensed, and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) told KARE 11 it currently has 40 active fraud investigations into its service providers. The DHS also reported to KARE 11 that the program became difficult to manage as demand was much higher than anticipated. 'HSS has surpassed what was initially projected … in terms of the number of individuals enrolled in the program and providers delivering services. This rapid growth has brought additional challenges to build and implement quality assurance and oversight that matches the unforeseen scale of the program," the DHS wrote to KARE 11. Read more: You're probably already overpaying for this 1 'must-have' expense — and thanks to Trump's tariffs, your monthly bill could soar even higher. Here's how 2 minutes can protect your wallet right now When Lien reported her case to KARE 11 for investigation, they asked her to reach out to Brilliant Minds and request copies of all her records. For nearly a month between March and April of this year, Brilliant Minds' records show that every Friday and Saturday morning, a case worker was helping Lien find housing, a service she never requested and didn't need. Further falsified records show that a case worker allegedly met with her for an in-person intake session on March 8 — the same time she was attending a local group counselling session. 'Everything listed is a complete lie," Lien told KARE 11. The news station attempted to contact Brilliant Minds several times for comment, but found their phone line had been disconnected and that their office was dark and locked during their regular business hours. They finally responded through email, saying, 'All services rendered — both direct and indirect — were thoroughly documented in our Electronic Health Record (EHR) system … The client was discharged after approximately four weeks due to the client's continued lack of engagement, and as such, no further billing occurred beyond that period.' However, Lien provided KARE 11 with proof of her continued attempts to contact her case worker through texts and email. Following the news station's report, the DHS increased the risk level for HSS service providers from 'limited' to 'high' risk. The providers will now be subject to unannounced drop-in visits from DHS personnel and other measures to ensure their compliance. In Lien's case, KARE 11 reports her falsified records amount to a $2,060 bill — funded by local taxpayers — and all she has to show for it is a vacuum cleaner. Costs for the HSS program have risen exponentially since its inception in 2020. Then, the program cost approximately $3.25 million. In 2024, the cost was almost $92 million, and Brilliant Minds submitted over $1 million in claims. Though each state approaches housing-related services for Medicaid beneficiaries differently, clients of the programs can ask for full records of their case files if they feel their case is being mishandled, or if they're facing long wait times for responses like Lien. The Minnesota DHS also lists a number of other housing assistance programs that low-income residents can take advantage of. And at the federal level, the Housing Choice Voucher Program allows individuals to apply for a subsidy that covers part of their rent, and is paid directly to their landlord. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NC congressman pushes back on CMS board claims about federal budget cuts
MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Charlotte-area Congressman Tim Moore is responding after the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education claimed a new budget passed by the U.S. House would threaten special education programs and free or reduced lunches for students. 'Actually read this bill, go online, it's there,' he told Queen City News on Thursday. 'You want find the word 'Medicaid' in there, you won't find anything about school lunch in there, it's simply not true.' NC Congressman Tim Moore talks Trump's sweeping changes at new Mecklenburg County office Moore insisted that a budget plan passed by House Republicans on Tuesday will not get in the way of funding for essential programs provided to students at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. This past week, district's school board raised several concerns, arguing their math was showing harmful cuts would have to be made. 'Their arguments make no sense, they make no sense at all,' said Moore. 'So, they're saying we should oppose this bill because of something that might happen down the road in another bill. That's nonsensical.' CMS board member Summer Nunn, speaking for the entire board, told Queen City News that from what they have seen in the bill and heard during subcommittee meetings, the current House proposal makes it impossible to avoid cuts for Medicaid-backed special ed or school lunch. CMS school board addresses immigration 'anxiety,' says no ICE action has been carried out at its schools 'We are actually glad to hear they're committed to not cutting these things, committed to not cutting Medicaid that affects our schools or the school nutrition program, we just have concern when we dive deep into the language,' said Nunn. The proposed House Budget is far from ready, as they still have to hammer out a final version with the Senate before it can be sent to the President. The school board also provided the following statement on which programs could be in jeopardy. Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives representing the Charlotte area continue to share that the House's Concurrent Resolution Budget passed by the U.S. House this week will not hurt students across our state and our nation. While we appreciate their comments, the Board of Education remains concerned that Instructions Three and Four of part (b) in Section 2001 under the Title II – Reconciliation and Related Matters in the CR have mandated cuts that will impact school districts across the country should this pass the Senate. In Instruction Three, there is a mandated budget cut of $880 billion in the Committee on Energy and Commerce Budget. This committee oversees funding for Medicaid services. In Instruction Four, there is a mandated budget cut of $330 billion in the Committee on Education and Workforce Budget. This committee oversees funding for school nutrition, including the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program. We agree that the CR does not specifically use the words 'cuts to Medicaid and school meals.' However, the committee budgets that have jurisdiction over these programs mandate hundreds of billions of dollars in cuts. According to previous House committee meetings and widespread reporting, part of these mandated cuts include an elimination of Medicaid reimbursements for students with an IEP and/or Section 504 plan (both address resources for children with special needs), and changes to the CEP threshold formula. … Representatives Harris and Moore have stated that the CR does not make cuts to Medicaid funding for schools nor to school lunch funds/eligibility. The Board of Education is glad to hear their commitment to protect these programs, and that they will fight to protect the specialized services and school meals for all of our students who need those resources. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
