A Bradley County woman is charged with TennCare fraud in connection with selling prescription drugs which were paid for by the state’s Medicaid healthcare insurance program.
The Office of Inspector General today announced the arrest of Barbara Sue Greer, 50, of Cleveland, after a joint investigation with the Bradley County Sheriff’s Department.
She is charged with three counts of TennCare fraud, two counts of sale or delivery of the painkiller Oxycodone, sale or delivery of Hydrocodone, also a pain medication, and two counts of sale or delivery of Alprazolam, sold as the brand Xanax, which is an anti-anxiety drug. Greer is accused of obtaining prescriptions, using TennCare as payment on the clinical visits, then selling a portion of the pills on three separate occasions.
“We are working with municipal and county police officers across the state, as they zero in on local narcotics trafficking and allow us to go after any TennCare involvement,” Acting inspector general Lawrence S. Saylor, Jr., said. “Local police, providers and citizens are committed to eliminating prescription drug abuse, especially when it involves public dollars.”
TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge. Sale of a Schedule III and Schedule IV controlled substance is a Class D felony, punishable by two to four years in prison. Sale of a Schedule II controlled substance is a Class C felony carrying a sentence of up to six years in prison. District Attorney General Steven Crump is prosecuting.
The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $3.5 million paid in restitution and recoupment to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $173 million for TennCare, according to latest figures. To date, 2,160 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.
Through the OIG Cash for Tips Program established by the Legislature, Tennesseans can get cash rewards for TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions. Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or log on to www.tn.gov/tnoig/ and follow the prompts that read "Report TennCare Fraud."