Former Kentucky Resident Charged with TennCare Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A former Kentucky resident is charged with TennCare fraud after receiving benefits through the state’s healthcare insurance program, even though she was not eligible because she did not live in Tennessee.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest in Sumner County of Jennifer L. Franklin, 35, of Westmoreland. She now lives in Tennessee, but was a Kentucky resident when the crime allegedly occurred.

Franklin is charged in Sumner County with TennCare fraud, theft of services over $10,000 and theft of services over $1,000. Authorities say she received TennCare benefits for herself and her children for nearly a year while living in Kentucky.

“We will prosecute anyone, regardless of where they live, if they lie to get TennCare benefits they are not entitled to receive,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said. “People who cross the state line to gain benefits available to Tennesseans are stealing taxpayer dollars.”

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge.  Theft of services over $10,000 is a Class C felony punishable by up to six years prison.  District Attorney General Lawrence Ray Whitley is prosecuting.

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, 2,603 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 log on to www.tn.gov/tnoig/ and follow the prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.”