Recent enforcement actions show behavioral health services are under increasing compliance scrutiny.
Mental health services are on the rise, but so is compliance oversight. Recent federal and state cases highlight the risks for providers who fail to follow billing, coding, and documentation requirements.
Highlights include:
- Kickback schemes involving substance abuse treatment programs.
- False documentation and fraudulent billing by licensed providers.
- Psychiatrists and behavioral health practices settling False Claims Act allegations.
- Multi-million-dollar settlements tied to improper use of psychotherapy add-on codes.
- Psychiatric practices billing for services not rendered, sometimes while providers were out of state—or even out of the country.
All of these cases were announced in just the past few months. Enforcement agencies are making it clear: behavioral health compliance will remain a top priority.