RUTHERFORD COUNTY WOMAN ARRESTED FOR TENNCARE FRAUD

NASHVILLE – A Rutherford County woman was arrested today for falsifying a TennCare application in order to get healthcare benefits she did not qualify for.

Brenda Lee Reed, 44, of Lascassas in Rutherford County, surrendered to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) in Nashville after an indictment was issued by a Davidson County Grand Jury charging her with TennCare fraud and theft of property.

The indictment alleges that in late 2002 Reed made false statements about her marital status, failing to disclose her husband’s income so that she could get TennCare benefits. The theft charge alleges that Reed stole more than $8,000 from the State of Tennessee in health care services TennCare paid for while she was on the program. Reed was also charged with two unrelated counts of forgery. Her bond was set at $40,000. If convicted, she could be sentenced to up to four years in jail on the theft charge and two years on the TennCare fraud charge. District Attorney General Torry Johnson is prosecuting.

Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or log on to www.tennessee.gov/tenncare and follow the prompts that read “Report Fraud Now.”