Mississippi Woman Must Repay TennCare For Healthcare Services

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Mississippi woman must repay Tennessee for healthcare benefits after she was sentenced for TennCare fraud.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced that Torsha Jones, 36, of Southaven, Mississippi, was ordered to repay Tennessee $29,000 for services she and her family received while they were on TennCare. Jones was arrested last November when she was charged with falsifying the TennCare application – and subsequent recertification documents - by saying she lived in Tennessee, even though she and her family lived in Mississippi. She was charged with TennCare fraud and theft of property over $10,000.

A Shelby County Criminal Court also sentenced Jones to ten years judicial diversion and she was ordered to pay for her supervision fees and court cost.

“The TennCare program is solely for the citizens of the state of Tennessee,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said.  “Anyone who comes across the state line to fraudulently obtain 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, 2,433 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.