Mississippi Woman Charged With TennCare Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Mississippi woman is charged with TennCare fraud in an indictment accusing her of claiming to live in Tennessee in order to obtain healthcare insurance benefits through TennCare, the state’s public insurance program.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with assistance from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, today announced the arrest of Asanta Brown, 27, of Byhalia, Mississippi. She is charged with three counts of TennCare fraud and one count of theft of property over $10,000.

A Shelby County Grand Jury accused Brown of obtaining medical services through TennCare by intentionally misrepresenting that her family resided in Tennessee, when they actually lived in Mississippi.   Brown turned herself in to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

Theft of property over $10,000 is a Class C felony that carries a maximum of six years in prison, TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge.  District Attorney General Amy T. Weirich is prosecuting.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $3 million being repaid to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $163.6 million for TennCare, according to latest figures. To date, over 2,300 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 Office of Inspector General and follow the prompts that read "Report TennCare Fraud."