According to the Tennessee Department of Finance & Administration, two convicted Tennessee women have been ordered by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to repay the state of Tennessee on charges involving TennCare fraud.
TennCare is the state of Tennessee’s Medicaid program.
Maura Barrera, age 37 from Rutherford County, was convicted of TennCare fraud and theft of property for failing to report her true employment status and household income so she could remain on the state’s healthcare insurance programs. Barrera must repay the state $34,621 for benefits received while she was enrolled in TennCare. She was arrested on March 25 of this year. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Allyson Abbott of the 16th Judicial District covering Cannon and Rutherford counties.
Kendall Hall, age 50 from Blount County, was ordered to pay the state $60,094 after her conviction in Blount County. Hall was charged in July of 2020 with TennCare fraud for failing to report her marital status and household income to the state, which would have made her and her family ineligible for TennCare. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ashley Salem of Blount County.
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.
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.”
– – –
Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]
Does anyone actually expect these women to pay back the totals? I figure they will be on Tenn-Care for the rest of their lives so that the rest of us can pay their medical bills.
And yet still no action on the 7 million dollar improper billing by Cherokee Health that was allowed by Tenn-Care. No fines no penalties and more time to pay it back than it took to bill that same amount. Is it only fraud when someone else does it?.