Shelby Co. Woman Charged with TennCare Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A Shelby County woman is charged with TennCare fraud in connection with falsely reporting her income in order to obtain TennCare.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, today announced the arrest of Frances King, also known as Frances Ware, 37, of Memphis.

King is charged with six counts of TennCare fraud and two counts of theft of property over $10,000. Officials say she falsely reported her income to the state in order to obtain TennCare medical assistance benefits she was not eligible to receive.

“TennCare healthcare insurance benefits are essential to people eligible for the program, and we are working to maintain its integrity,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said. “We are pursuing and prosecuting these cases across the state.”

District Attorney General Amy P. Weirich is prosecuting. TennCare fraud is now 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, 2,793 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.”