Macon Co. Woman Ordered to Repay the State in TennCare Fraud Plea Deal

NASHVILLE, Tenn. –– A Macon County woman charged with fraudulently obtaining TennCare benefits is ordered to repay the state as part of a court agreement.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced that 30-year old Hanna L. Johnson of Red Boiling Springs pleaded guilty to theft over $10,000 and in exchange, she is ordered to pay TennCare $6,000. She also received six years of supervised judicial diversion.

Johnson was arrested in May of 2017 after her indictment in Macon County accusing her of falsely claiming two minor children as dependents. Without them, she would not appear eligible for TennCare.

“Providing false information in order to receive TennCare benefits is a crime – and that crime is theft from state taxpayers,” Inspector General Kim Harmon said. “The OIG works diligently to preserve the integrity of TennCare benefits so those truly deserving have the best resources.”

District Attorney General Tom P. Thompson, Jr., prosecuted the case. TennCare fraud is 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, 3,070 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.”