Five People Must Repay TennCare in Fraud Cases
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Five people must repay TennCare, including residents of Georgia, after appearing in court on charges of TennCare fraud,
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the plea agreements, which include repayment of $73,516 to TennCare for healthcare insurance payments made on their behalf. They include:
- Amanda L. Carter, 39, of Nashville, received three years of probation in Davidson County and is ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $14,000.00. She was arrested in September of 2017 stemming from charges she falsely claimed a minor child as a dependent in order to qualify for TennCare benefits. District Attorney General Glenn R. Funk prosecuted this case.
- Brandi Nicole Rolen, 29, of Oglethorpe, Georgia, received 15 years of probation in Hamilton County and is ordered to repay TennCare $27,000.00. She was charged in July of 2017 with claiming that she, her minor child, her fiancé and her fiancé’s child all lived in Tennessee in order to be eligible for TennCare benefits. Authorities say she and her family were and still are residents of Oglethorpe, Georgia. District Attorney General Neal Pinkston prosecuted this case.
- Angela D. Bradford-Gentry, 43, of Ringgold, Georgia, received six years judicial diversion in Hamilton County and must make restitution to TennCare in the amount of $7,200.00. She was arrested in September of 2017 and charged with falsely claiming her two children as household members. The false claim allowed her husband and her two sons to obtain TennCare benefits they were not entitled to receive. District Attorney General Neal Pinkston prosecuted this case.
- Sherry D. Walker, 47, of Tellico Plains, received two years judicial diversion in McMinn County and must repay TennCare in the amount of $3,249.71. She was arrested in May of 2016, when she was charged with seven counts of fraudulently using TennCare to obtain controlled substances by doctor shopping. District Attorney General Stephen D. Crump prosecuted this case.
- Marquize Hardy, 38, of Memphis, received six years of probation in Shelby County and is ordered to repay TennCare in the amount of $22,067.21. He was arrested in February of last year for falsely reporting his income and claiming to be single when he was actually married, all in order to obtain TennCare benefits. District Attorney General Amy T. Weirich prosecuted the case.
“Providing false information in order to receive TennCare benefits is a crime and robs resources intended for those truly in need,” Inspector General Kim Harmon said. “We depend on and appreciate the help of private citizens, local enforcement and healthcare providers in reporting TennCare fraud.”
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, 2,975 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 log on to www.tn.gov/tnoig/ and follow the prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.”