NASHVILLE - Yet another Bridgeport, Alabama, resident stands accused of TennCare fraud, bringing to seven the total number of people from the tiny Northeast Alabama town facing charges of defrauding the state's Medicaid program.
Tennessee's Office of Inspector General and the Marion County, Tennessee, sheriff's department say Crystal Price, 36, of Bridgeport, was charged with falsely reporting her residence to obtain TennCare health insurance coverage.
An indictment returned by a Marion County grand jury charges Price with TennCare fraud and theft of services over $2,500 but less than $10,000.
Authorities say Price fraudulently reported her residency was in Tennessee to appear eligible for the $12 billion state and federally funded TennCare insurance program, which provides health care to some 1.3 million Tennesseans, many of them low-income pregnant women, children and elderly or disabled people.
"Providing false information in order to receive TennCare benefits is a crime," Tennessee's Inspector General Kim Harmon said in a news release Tuesday. "We work hard to preserve TennCare resources for those truly in need."
Five others were indicted on TennCare fraud charges on June 19, including Amber Parrish, Bradley Parker, Robin Miller, Cassandra Henry and Jacqueline Shrum. A sixth person, Ladreamer Garrett, was charged days later.
District Attorney General J. Michael Taylor is prosecuting the cases.
TennCare fraud is a Class D felony punishable by up to four years in prison. Theft of property over $2,500 but less than $10,000 is a Class C felony which is punishable by up to six years in prison.
The Office of Inspector General is separate from TennCare and began operations in 2005. The state says 3,105 people have charged with TennCare fraud since the OIG began operations. More than $3 million was repaid to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of more than $163.6 million for TennCare, according to 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.
Contact Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com or 615-255-0550.