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Audit Did Not Uncover NM Mental Health Fraud

Office of the Governor

Gov. Susana Martinez's administration is standing behind a decision to suspend payments to behavioral health providers because of allegations of fraud and overbillings.

Newly released portions of a state-commissioned audit said the audit "did not uncover what it would consider to be credible allegations of fraud, nor any significant concerns related to consumer safety."

A Human Services Department spokesman on Monday defended the agency's decision to suspend payments, saying there was evidence of possible fraud from whistleblowers as well a company managing New Mexico's mental health and substance abuse programs.

The attorney general's office released heavily redacted parts of the audit last week. Auditors said they identified more than $33 million in overpayments to providers.

The attorney general continues to investigate the allegations against more than a dozen providers.

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