Macon Co. Woman Charged with TennCare Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A Macon County woman is charged with TennCare fraud in connection with falsely reporting her household income to obtain TennCare healthcare insurance benefits.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the Macon County Sheriff’s Office, today announced the arrest of Lisa A. Fuller, 35, of Westmoreland. She is charged with TennCare fraud and theft of services over $10,000. Charges say she failed to report to the state her total household income in order to be eligible for TennCare benefits and avoid payment for the services.

“It’s troubling that anyone with adequate resources enrolls themselves in a program meant for people who truly need healthcare benefits through TennCare,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said. “We are aggressively pursuing and prosecuting these cases across the state.”

District Attorney General Tom P. Thompson, Jr., is prosecuting. As of July 1, 2016, TennCare fraud was changed to a Class D felony punishable by up to four years in prison.

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, 2,729 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.”