MISSISSIPPI COUPLE CHARGED WITH TENNCARE FRAUD

NASHVILLE – A husband and wife in Mississippi have been charged with TennCare fraud. The Office of TennCare Inspector General (OIG) and the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office today announced the arrest of 64-year-old Robert J. Dickson, Sr., and his wife, Lutishia C. Dickson, 60, both of Horn Lake, Mississippi. They were indicted by the Shelby County Grand Jury for falsely listing Memphis as their residence in order to obtain TennCare benefits while they lived in Mississippi, bringing charges of fraudulently obtaining TennCare benefits they were not entitled to and theft of property.

The five count indictment against each of the Dicksons charges that they were on TennCare for three years, from April, 2001 until October, 2004.

“We intend to prosecute anyone, regardless of where they live, if they lie to get enrolled in TennCare,” Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said. “People who cross the state line to gain a benefit available to Tennesseans aren’t just stealing taxpayer dollars – they’re hurting the program.”

"This is the second case to go to the grand jury in the last two weeks for TennCare fraud,” Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons said. “We will be working closely with State to identify and prosecute anyone who violates the TennCare program.”

If convicted, the Dicksons could be sentenced to up to two years on the Class D felony charge of theft of property, and an additional 2 years on each Class E felony charge of fraudulently obtaining TennCare services. .Bond for the Dicksons was set at $2,500 each. Shelby County District Attorney William L. Gibbons will be prosecuting the 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.”

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