Bradley Co. Woman Must Repay Tennessee More Than $25,000

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Bradley County woman must repay the state’s TennCare healthcare insurance program after being charged last year with TennCare fraud.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced sentencing for Brittany Dodson-Bristol, of Cleveland, Tennessee, who was charged in August of last year with falsely reporting her income in order to obtain TennCare. She’s been ordered to repay the state $25,131.92.

Charges against Dodson-Bristol accused her of gaining access to TennCare by falsely reporting her income to the state so she would be eligible for benefits.  In addition to restitution, she has been ordered to serve six years of supervised probation. District Attorney General Stephen D. Crump prosecuted this case.

“Anyone who lies, cheats or steals to gain access to healthcare insurance will be caught and prosecuted,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said. “We are pursuing this type of case all across the state.”

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, 2,621 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.

Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or visit the website and follow prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.”