DAVIDSON COUNTY WOMAN CHARGED WITH TENNCARE FRAUD

NASHVILLE – A Davidson County woman is charged with TennCare fraud for allegedly falsifying her TennCare application in order to get healthcare benefits and food stamps for which she did not qualify.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) and Metro Nashville Police today arrested Frances Davis, also known as Frances Johnson, 47, of Nashville on an indictment charging her with TennCare fraud, medical assistance fraud, theft of property and theft of services.

Davis is accused of answering “NO” on her TennCare application when asked if health insurance was offered through her employer. Officials say she had access to group health insurance through her employer, Meharry Medical College. She’s also accused of making a false statement on a Department of Human Services application for food stamps and TennCare. Officials say she failed to disclose her marital status, her spouse or her spouse’s income on the application. The indictment charges her with two counts of TennCare fraud, medical assistance fraud, two counts of theft of property and one count of theft of services.

“We intend to prosecute anyone who provides false information in order to get TennCare benefits they are not entitled to,” Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said. “In addition, we also check the paperwork for other services a person may have applied for, such as food stamps, and if warranted, additional charges will be filed.”

District Attorney Victor “Tory” S. Johnson will prosecute the case. If convicted, Davis could face up to 2 years for each count of TennCare fraud, up to four years for each theft of property charge and up to six years for each theft of services charge.

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.”