RHEA COUNTY WOMAN CHARGED WITH TENNCARE FRAUD

NASHVILLE, TN - A Rhea County woman is charged today with using another person’s TennCare benefit card to get medical treatment at an emergency room at a Chattanooga hospital.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) announced the arrest, in cooperation with the Hamilton County Fugitive Division. Governor Phil Bredesen created the OIG, one of the first units of its kind in the nation, in 2004. Since it became operational in February 2005, 292 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.

An arrest warrant accuses Candy Newman, 38, of Spring City of one count of TennCare fraud. She was arrested at Silverdale Prison near Chattanooga, where she is serving time on unrelated charges. Newman’s accused of presenting a TennCare card belonging to someone else when seeking treatment at the emergency room at Erlanger Hospital.

“It is particularly troubling when someone who’s not eligible for TennCare tries to find a way to use the program to pay for medical services,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said. “When we find people doing so, we will pursue charges.”

District Attorney William H. Cox will prosecute. If convicted Newman could serve up to two years for the TennCare fraud which is a Class E felony.

Through the OIG “Cash for Tips” program established by the Legislature, Tennesseans can get cash rewards for TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions. Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or log on to www.tncarefraud.tennessee.gov and follow the prompts that read “Report Fraud Now.”