Sullivan County Man Charged with TennCare Fraud

NASHVILLE –  A Sullivan County man is charged with TennCare fraud for allegedly under-reporting his income to enroll in the state’s healthcare program.  

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of 66-year-old Allyn Hood, charged with TennCare fraud, theft of services and forgery, which investigators say led to TennCare paying more than $45,853 in fees and claims. This false statement resulted TennCare paying over $45,853.00 in fees and claims on behalf of Hood and his daughter.

“This arrest is the result of a tip made through our TennCare fraud hotline, a convenient method for citizens to report TennCare fraud suspicions,” Inspector General Chad Holman said. “Our investigation included a thorough review of banking and tax records, the suspect’s ownership and operation of Hood Bonding Company along with income-producing rental properties. That could have been avoided with truthful TennCare application information.”    

TennCare fraud is a class D felony and theft of services and forgery are class C felonies. The case is being prosecuted by Sullivan County District Attorney General Barry P. Staubus.

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, 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, 3,164 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.”