KNOXVILLE NURSE INDICTED FOR TENNCARE FRAUD

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Knoxville nurse was arrested today for under-reporting her income to get TennCare health insurance benefits.

In a news conference in Knoxville, the Office of TennCare Inspector General (OIG) and District Attorney General Randy Nichols announced the arrest of 34-year-old Sheila Jhala of Knoxville. She’s charged with theft of property over a three-year period by falsely obtaining TennCare health insurance benefits. Jhala is a nurse at Blount County Memorial Hospital.

TennCare premiums are based on income and family size. By falsely reporting her income, she paid a far lower premium for health care insurance than if she listed her correct income.

“People we’ve charged with TennCare fraud fall into many income categories, occupations and really come from all walks of life,” Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said. “Regardless of who they are, if a person is committing TennCare fraud, we’re committed to catching it and we’re going to prosecute.”

Jhala’s bond was set at $5,000. If convicted, she could be sentenced to up to four years on the Class D felony charge of theft of services.

Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or log on to www.tennessee.gov/tenncare and follow the prompts that read “Report Fraud Now.”

TennCare is the state’s managed care health insurance program for 1.3 million people who are poor, disabled or uninsured.