HAMBLEN COUNTY NURSE AMONG TWO ARRESTED, ONE CONVICTED FOR TENNCARE FRAUD

NASHVILLE – A Hamblen County nurse is among two people arrested and one person convicted for TennCare fraud.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of Hazel England, 43, of Hamblen County for TennCare fraud.  A two-count indictment accuses England of attempting to fraudulently obtain TennCare benefits to which she was not entitled by presenting forged prescriptions in someone else’s name for painkillers, sleeping pills, and other drugs, to be paid for by TennCare.

The charges are class E felonies, punishable by up to two years in prison.  District Attorney, C. Berkeley Bell will be prosecuting the case.  Last month, England pleaded guilty to prescription fraud charges in Hamblen County.

“This continues to be an ongoing battle with people defrauding TennCare for their drugs and it’s a battle we will continue to fight.”  Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said.  “We are sending out a message across Tennessee that Governor Phil Bredesen has set forth a zero tolerance policy for TennCare fraud and abuse, and we’re aggressively enforcing it.

In an unrelated arrest, 55 year old Shanie Haribans of Parrotsville was charged with TennCare fraud. The Cocke County Grand Jury indicted Haribans on two counts of TennCare fraud for knowingly making false statements to the Tennessee Department of Human Services in her application and re-verification for enrollment in TennCare.  She is also charged with unlawfully obtaining benefits paid for by TennCare, including hospital care, physician’s services and other professional medical treatment paid for by TennCare.  The charges against Haribans are class E felonies each punishable by up to two years in prison.   District Attorney Al C. Schmutzer, Jr., is prosecuting the case.

And, 25 year old Bobbi Jo Tackett of Hawkins County has been convicted on two counts of TennCare Fraud for obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, a class D felony, and fraudulently obtaining TennCare benefits, a class E felony.  Tackett has also been ordered by the court to pay fines totaling $2,000.

Anyone who suspects a TennCare enrollee is not reporting income or any other type of TennCare fraud can call our hotline at 1-800-433-3982 or log on to www.tennessee.gov/tenncare .