Putnam County Woman Charged with TennCare Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A Putnam County woman is charged with TennCare fraud for falsely reporting her income in order to obtain TennCare healthcare insurance benefits.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, today announced the arrest of Jennifer Kaye Sumpter, 47, of Cookeville. She is charged with TennCare fraud and theft of property over $10,000 in connection with falsely reporting her income to the state in order to receive TennCare healthcare and prescription drug benefits. Authorities estimate she received more than $10,000 worth of benefits which she was not entitled to receive.

“It’s troubling that anyone with other resources attempts to be enrolled in a program meant for people who truly need healthcare benefits through TennCare,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said.  “We are pursuing and prosecuting these cases across the state.”

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison.  Theft of services over $10,000 is a Class C felony punishable by up to six years in prison.  Beginning July 1, 2016, TennCare fraud will become a Class D felony punishable by up to four years in prison.   District Attorney General Bryant C. Dunaway 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, 2,660 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 visit the website and follow prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.”