FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 10, 2015
Contact: James Hallinan (505) 660-2216
Española, NM – In an effort to expeditiously complete the investigation of the behavioral health providers referred to the Office of the Attorney General by the state Human Services Department in 2013, Attorney General Hector Balderas issued a request for proposals (RFP) on June 3, 2015 for forensic audit firms to be able to assist with completing the investigation in a timely manner. Auditors selected through the competitive RFP process will assist with the continuing investigation of 12 of 15 behavioral health providers referred to the Office of the Attorney General by the state’s Human Services Department.
“The RFP is a critical infusion of resources to expedite the behavioral health Medicaid fraud investigations,” Balderas explained in issuing the RFP. “Expanding the pool of expertise to work with our staff will allow our investigation to proceed even more quickly and efficiently, which has always been my priority.”
The RFP, which requires completion within six months of issuance of a contract, expands the Attorney General’s resources already dedicated to an investigation of allegations of $36 million in Medicaid fraud that was used as the basis for terminating New Mexico contracts with 15 behavioral health providers. Prior to the Balderas Administration, completion of the investigation of the behavioral health providers was projected to take five to six years. However, Balderas sought additional funding for an expansion of the investigation from the legislature this spring and recently received a $1.8 million special appropriation dedicated to bolstering ongoing efforts to complete the investigation.
Responses from interested bidders are due June 30, 2015. The RFP is available at the Attorney General’s website at NMAG.gov, and requests for copies may be made through the Attorney General’s toll‐free number at 1‐866‐627‐3249. For more information on the RFP process, contact Carla Martinez, the procurement manager, at (505) 827‐6776.
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