3 locals must repay TennCare after fraud convictions

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) – The Office of Inspector General has announced plea deals with TennCare suspects, including three in our area.

Two are Georgia residents.

29 year old Brandi Nicole Rolen of Fort Oglethorpe will repay TennCare $27,000.

Last summer, she was charged with claiming that she, her child, her fiance and his child all lived in Tennessee, but they are still in Ft. Oglethorpe.

She also gets 15 years probation in Hamilton County.

43 year old Angela D. Bradford-Gentry of Ringgold owes $7,200.

She was charged last September with falsely claiming her two children lived with her, giving them and their dad bogus TennCare benefits.

She gets six years judicial diversion in addition to paying what she owes.

47 year old Sherry D. Walker was charged in 2016 with doctor shopping for prescriptions and using TennCare to pay for it.

The Tellico Plains woman was prosecuted in McMinn County.

She must repay $3,249.71 in addition to a couple of years of judicial diversion.

“Providing false information in order to receive TennCare benefits is a crime and robs resources intended for those truly in need,” Inspector General Kim Harmon said. “We depend on and appreciate the help of private citizens, local enforcement and healthcare providers in reporting 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.”