July Is Record Month For Court-Ordered Restitution In TennCare Fraud Cases

Latest: Woman in Jackson ordered to repay more than $45,000

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The month of July brought a record for the state’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) in terms of the amount of money people have been ordered to repay the state for TennCare fraud. In July, people convicted of TennCare fraud were ordered to make $154,000 in restitution to TennCare. In total, TennCare fraud restitutions have led to more than $3 million being repaid to the state.

The latest conviction is Cynthia Miller, 49, of Jackson, who pleaded guilty to TennCare fraud and theft of property. A Madison County Criminal Court sentenced Miller to eight years supervised probation, 40 hours of unpaid community service, repayment to TennCare in the amount of $45,788.92.  District Attorney General James Woodall prosecuted this case.

Miller was arrest in April after an indictment in Madison County, when she was charged with TennCare fraud and theft of property in connection with submitting falsified applications to the state in failing to disclose her spouse and his income, in order to be eligible for benefits.

“We hope those that are abusing the TennCare program are getting the message that we are aggressively pursuing TennCare fraud and making arrests statewide,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said.  “We have made 36 arrests this month and we are working many more cases across Tennessee.”

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, 2,395 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."