COCKE COUNTY WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO TENNCARE FRAUD

MUST PAY $11,000 IN RESTITUTION

NASHVILLE – A Cocke County woman has pleaded guilty to TennCare fraud, agreeing to repay the state for medical benefits she received through TennCare during the time she was on the program but not eligible for the program.

Shanie Haribans, 55, of Parrotsville was indicted by the Cocke County Grand Jury on November 8, 2005, for TennCare fraud and theft of services. She was accused of knowingly making false statements on her TennCare application and again during her recertification for TennCare enrollment.

“Anyone who knowingly gives false information to enroll in TennCare – or recertify for the program - will be charged with TennCare fraud,” Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said. “This could range from under-reporting income to concealing access to health insurance benefits from an employer or a spouse’s employer.”

Haribans received two years judicial diversion and she has two years to repay TennCare $11,546.13. District Attorney General Al C. Schmutzer, Jr. prosecuted this case.

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.”