CUMBERLAND COUNTY GRAND JURY INDICTS WOMAN FOR TENNCARE FRAUD

NASHVILLE – A Cumberland County woman is the latest person charged with TennCare fraud by the Office of TennCare Inspector General (OIG). Hallie L. Jones, 49, of Crossville is accused of concealing assets in order to appear to be eligible for TennCare.

Jones was indicted for defrauding the State of Tennessee of more than $ 10,000 in TennCare medical service benefits. The two count indictment charges that she committed felony theft of services by fraudulently obtaining TennCare medical benefits over a number of years. People who apply for TennCare are required by federal law to disclose assets or certain transfers of assets for a three-year period prior to the applications.

“This is a common scheme used by people who want to make themselves look poor – on paper – while the taxpayers are picking up the tab for their medical services,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said. “We have uncovered various schemes that people are using to defraud the TennCare program, but bringing these folks to justice sends a message that we’re going to prosecute these cases.”

If convicted, Jones could be sentenced to up to six years on the Class C felony charge of theft of services, along with two years on the Class E felony charge of fraudulently obtaining TennCare services. Bond for Jones was set at $15,000. Cumberland County District Attorney William E. Gibson will be prosecuting the case.

The Office of TennCare Inspector General was created in 2004 by Governor Phil Bredesen and the General Assembly to go after TennCare fraud with more investigative tools and resources.

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.