Tennessee officials have charged two women in separate cases, one from Fayette County and another from Mississippi, with TennCare fraud.
Authorities charged Shuvonda Barnett, 36, (pictured left) of Rossville, with 48 counts of TennCare fraud and two counts of theft of services over $10,000 but under $60,000, according to a Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration press release.
“Barnett is accused of falsely reporting her income in order to obtain TennCare benefits for herself and her three children,” the press release said.
“In all, TennCare paid $35,773.90 in fees and claims on behalf of Barnett and her children.”
The theft of services charges are class C felonies, and the TennCare fraud charges are class D felonies. If convicted, Barnett could face penalties of up to a maximum of 606 years in prison. District Attorney General Mark E. Davidson of Fayette County is prosecuting, the press release said.
According to another press release, authorities charged Shenika V. Vason, of Holly Springs, MS, (pictured right) with 19 counts of TennCare Fraud and one count theft of services over $10,000 but under $60,000.
“The charges allege that she reported a Tennessee address to state officials when she and her children were residing in Mississippi,” the press release said.
“As a result, TennCare paid $11,197.10 in fees and claims on behalf of Mason and her children.”
If convicted, Mason could face penalties of up to a maximum of 243 years in prison for the charges. The theft of services charge is a class C felony, and the TennCare fraud charges are class D felonies. Davidson is prosecuting this case as well, the press release said.
The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated over 5,760 criminal cases leading to more than $10.8 million ordered in restitution to TennCare. This has helped lead to a total estimated cost avoidance of more than $163.6 million for TennCare, according to the latest figures. To date, authorities have charged 3,158 people with TennCare fraud, the press release said.
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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected].
