South Carolina Woman Charged with TennCare Fraud
NASHVILLE – A woman currently living in Greenwood, South Carolina is charged with TennCare fraud and theft of services after enrolling for services she wasn’t eligible to receive.
The Office of Inspector General (OIG), in a joint effort with the Greenwood (SC) Police Department, today announced the arrest of 47-year-old Michaelene Dubois. Investigators say Dubois did not report her income or her husband’s income so she could receive TennCare benefits. As a result, TennCare paid more than $20,875.00 in fees and claims. The alleged crime occurred when she was a resident of Scott County, Tennessee.
“The Office of Inspector General is focused on identifying and investigating people who defraud the TennCare system, even if they move out of state to avoid potential detection,” Interim Inspector General Chad Holman said. “As this case demonstrates, the OIG is focused on our commitment to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not misappropriated due to fraudulent activity.”
The TennCare fraud charge is a class D felony and theft of services is a class C felony. The case is being prosecuted by 8th District Attorney General Jared R. Effler who serves Campbell, Claiborne, Fentress, Scott and Union counties in Tennessee.
The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has identified and investigated more than 130,349 potential fraud cases leading to more than $9.2 million being repaid to TennCare. In the last year ending June 30, 2021, the total estimated cost avoidance was more than $7.5 million. TennCare's budget is comprised of 65 percent federal and 35 percent state dollars. To date, 3,156 people of been charged with TennCare fraud.
The OIG’s “Most Wanted” list can be located online at https://www.tn.gov/finance/fa-oig/fa-oig-most-wanted.html. Anyone with information about a wanted subject is urged to use the contact information on the page.
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 or by logging on to www.tn.gov/oig/ and following the prompts that read “Report TennCare fraud.”