Crime & Safety
Former Mental Health Counselor Arrested For TennCare Fraud
The TBI says a former mental health counselor billed TennCare for tens of thousands in services she didn't perform.
NASHVILLE, TN — A grand jury indicted a former Nashville mental health counselor for billing TennCare for thousands of dollars of services she did not provide.
After receiving information from authorities at TennCare, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agents opened an investigating of Thelma Dees-Johnson, 61, in October 2011. Dees-Johnson, a licensed practical counselor, owned Bridgeway Mental Health Services. Investigations said that over a period of several years, Dees-Johnson submitted claims to TennCare for counseling services she did not perform; in fact, according to the agents, Johnson was not present at her office on the days for which services were billed.
(For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Middle Tennessee Patch morning newsletter.)
Find out what's happening in Nashvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In 2015, Dees-Johnson dissolved the company and moved to Palatka, Fla.
Dees-Johnson is charged with with one count of TennCare fraud over $60,000. On Friday, she was booked into the Davidson County Jail on a $25,000 bond.
Find out what's happening in Nashvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Image via TBI
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.