Mississippi Woman Charged with TennCare Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Mississippi woman is charged with TennCare fraud for falsely reporting her residence in order to obtain benefits from Tennessee’s taxpayer-funded program.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the U. S. Marshal’s Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, today announced the arrest of Tanisha Thomas-Beard, 34, of Olive Branch, Mississippi.

A Shelby County indictment charges Tanisha with TennCare fraud and theft of property over $10,000 in connection with enrolling herself and two minor children in TennCare by fraudulently reporting her residency in order to appear eligible for TennCare. Authorities say she actually lives in Olive Branch, Mississippi, in Desoto County where the children are enrolled in school. The area is just south of Memphis along the Mississippi river and across the Tennessee border.

"Lying about one’s residence in order to receive TennCare benefits is a crime,” Inspector General Kim Harmon said. “We work diligently to preserve TennCare benefits for its intended use and we welcome information about anyone abusing the system.”

District Attorney General Amy T. Weirich is prosecuting. TennCare fraud is a Class D felony punishable by up to four years in prison per charge.

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, 3,036 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 www.tn.gov/tnoig/ and follow the prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.”