Knox Co. Woman Pleads Guilty to TennCare Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Knox County woman charged with fraudulently obtaining TennCare healthcare insurance benefits is ordered to pay for services received when she was on the program.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced that 34-year old Candice Shavon Flynn of Knoxville pleaded guilty to three counts of TennCare Fraud and one count of theft.  In exchange for her plea, Flynn is ordered to pay TennCare $12,651.53 in restitution and $9,513.78 to Blue Care, which is a TennCare managed care organization.  She’s also on supervised probation for four years. 

Flynn was accused of obtaining TennCare medical assistance benefits by concealing material facts regarding the residency of her under-aged children, which made her eligible to receive TennCare benefits.  

“People abusing TennCare are learning that we are aggressively pursuing TennCare fraud and making arrests statewide,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said. “We made 19 arrests in October, and have many more cases we are now bringing forward.”

District Attorney General Charme Allen prosecuted this case.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $5 million being repaid to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $176 million for TennCare, according to latest figures.  To date, 2,208 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."