Mississippi Woman Must Repay Tennessee for TennCare Benefits

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Mississippi woman charged with intentionally giving wrong information to the state in order to obtain TennCare healthcare insurance benefits must now repay the state for payments made on her behalf.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced judgment rendered against 27-year old Asanta Brown, of Byhalia, Mississippi. She was arrested in July when she was charged in connection with falsifying statements in order to appear eligible for TennCare. A Shelby County Criminal Court placed Brown on Judicial Diversion for three years with supervised probation and she is ordered to repay Tennessee a total amount of $22,383.06.

“The TennCare program is solely for the citizens of the Tennessee,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said. “Anyone who comes across the state line to fraudulently get these benefits will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

District Attorney General Amy T. Weirich prosecuted this case.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to more than $3 million being repaid to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of more than $163.6 million for TennCare, according to latest figures. To date, 2,486 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.

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 go to https://www.tn.gov/tnoig.