Two Scott Co. Residents Charged with TennCare Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Two women in Scott County are charged in separate cases with TennCare fraud.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with assistance from Scott County Sheriff’s Officers, today announced the arrest of Judy Bell, 57, of Helenwood and Judy Chaney, 33, of Winfield.

Bell is charged in a Scott County indictment with TennCare fraud and food stamp fraud in connection with concealing the residency of her minor children in order to obtain TennCare healthcare insurance benefits.

Chaney is accused of failing to disclose her income to the state in order to gain access to TennCare benefits.

“The message is simple; anyone who lies, cheats or steals to receive TennCare benefits is in very serious risk of criminal prosecution,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said. “People who commit TennCare fraud are taking something they are not entitled to and they risk jail time, fines, having to repay for the services received, or even forfeiting access to TennCare in the future.”

District Attorney General Jarred Effler is prosecuting. Until June 30, 2016, TennCare fraud was classified as a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge.  As of July 1, 2016, TennCare fraud was changed to 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, 2,676 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.”