Vonore Woman Sentenced for TennCare Fraud

Bridgett Garrett, 34, was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay restitution after failing to report a child custody change to TennCare.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Child Care

Vonore Woman Sentenced for TennCare Fraud

Live Poll

Do you trust state government to properly police public benefit program fraud?

Bridgett Garrett, 34, of Vonore, Tennessee, was convicted on one count of TennCare fraud and one count of theft of services. She was sentenced to three years of TDOC supervised probation for the fraud and four years for theft of services, and ordered to pay $13,824.73 in restitution.

Why it matters

The case shows that failing to report changes in household circumstances, such as child custody, can carry criminal consequences for recipients of state health benefits. It also highlights Tennessee's program offering cash rewards to residents whose fraud tips lead to convictions, which may encourage reporting statewide.

Garrett was ordered to pay $13,824.73 in restitution and sentenced to three years of TDOC supervised probation for TennCare fraud and four years for theft of services. The exact date she stopped reporting the custody change to TennCare has not been identified.

The players

TennCare

TennCare is Tennessee's Medicaid program, providing health coverage to eligible low-income residents and children in the state.

The details

Garrett was convicted for failing to report to TennCare that she no longer had custody of her child, a change that would have made her ineligible for benefits. Tennesseans who report TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions can qualify for cash rewards, with tips submitted through a link or by calling 1-800-433-3982.

Garrett's sentencing for TennCare fraud and theft of services was reported on November 5, 2026.
The date Garrett failed to report the custody change to TennCare is unknown.

Season Trajectory

This prosecution reflects the enforcement approach Tennessee has taken under TennCare, where residents can earn cash rewards for tips leading to fraud convictions. It adds one more case to the record of benefit-eligibility violations tied to unreported changes in household status.

Tennessee residents receiving TennCare should report changes in custody or household status promptly to avoid eligibility problems. Anyone with information about TennCare fraud can submit a tip by calling 1-800-433-3982 and may qualify for a cash reward if it leads to a conviction.

The takeaway

Reporting household changes such as child custody to TennCare on time is required to keep benefits accurate. Tennessee's fraud-tip program offers a reporting channel and cash rewards for tips that lead to convictions.