The conviction of a Kentucky resident charged with misrepresenting her residency in order to obtain TennCare benefits has lead to the state's first TennCare fraud "Cash for Tips" award from the Office of Inspector General (OIG).

Nancy Sue Dixon, 46, of Bowling Green, Kentucky was charged in June with falsely claiming to be a resident of Cheatham County in order to qualify for TennCare – and obtaining over $4,000 in benefits she was not eligible for.  In August, she pleaded guilty to one count of TennCare fraud and one count of theft of services.  Dixon was sentenced to four years probation and ordered to pay $4,250.00 in restitution.  District Attorney General Dan M. Alsobrooks prosecuted this case.

"The best tips we receive – those leading to prosecution – come from people who have personal knowledge of TennCare abuse, including family members and domestic partners," Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said.  "For many years, law enforcement agencies have found award programs to be successful, and it's another incentive for people to report TennCare fraud."

The 2005 General Assembly passed legislation to enable cash incentives to assist the OIG.  Through the program Tennesseans can obtain cash rewards of up to $250 for TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions. 

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