State of Tennessee

10/29/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/29/2024 08:31

Hendersonville, TN Resident Convicted of TennCare Fraud

NASHVILLE - Today, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) announced the conviction of 29-year-old Brenda Stewart of Hendersonville, Tennessee.

Ms. Stewart, a resident of Robertson County at the time of the offense, was convicted of one count of TennCare fraud after she falsely claimed to have custody of her son, which she did not possess. If Stewart had accurately reported her custody status, she would not have been eligible to receive TennCare benefits.

Stewart has been sentenced to 3 years of supervised probation with the Tennessee Department of Correction and ordered to pay TennCare $5,000 in restitution, plus a 5% clerk's fee.

The case was prosecuted by the Robertson County District Attorney General Robert J. Nash, with assistance from Assistant District Attorney Ann M. Kroeger.

"The accurate reporting of household composition by TennCare recipients is vital to the integrity and protection of the TennCare program," said Inspector General Chad D. Holman. "Ms. Stewart's failure to do so cost the Division of TennCare (and the taxpayers of Tennessee) over $22,000 that other eligible recipients could have utilized."

Tennesseans can receive cash rewards for TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions through the OIG Cash for Tips Program. Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982, emailing [email protected] or through the Office of Inspector General website.