The state of Minnesota is hiring a third-party auditor to look for fraud in 14 Medicaid programs. These programs are intended to provide housing and care for people with disabilities and severe mental illnesses.

Gov. Tim Walz announced Wednesday the state will temporarily stop paying providers of these services while the auditor, Optum, analyzes billing. A statement from the governor’s office said this pause will last 90 days, but’s not clear when it will begin.

Josh Berg is director of Minnesota services and strategic growth for nonprofit Accessible Space, Inc. He’s also on the board of directors of Association of Residential Resources in Minnesota, which lobbies on behalf of disability service providers. He spoke to MPR News host Nina Moini about how this pause could impact how providers can care for people with disabilities and severe mental health illnesses.