KINGSPORT MAN CHARGED WITH TENNCARE FRAUD

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Kingsport man is charged with TennCare fraud for passing a forged prescription and paying for it with TennCare – and then trying to do the same thing again at the same pharmacy.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of 18-year-old Cameron Rice. An arrest warrant alleges he used TennCare to pay for a forged prescription for the anti-depressant Xanax and Percocet, a painkiller, at a pharmacy in Johnson City. The warrant alleges Rice also attempted to use TennCare to pay for another similar fraudulent prescription for Xanax and Percocet, but the pharmacy would not fill it.

“The fraudulent use of TennCare pharmacy benefits continues to be a serious problem in our communities of Tennessee, but we are working hard to investigate and prosecute these crimes,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said. “We truly appreciate the help from the pharmacies and the local authorities on identifying this activity and acting on it so quickly.”

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony, which carries a penalty of up to two years in prison. District Attorney General Joe C. Crumley Jr. is prosecuting. The Johnson City Police Department assisted the OIG in the case.

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.”