Weakley Co. Woman Charged with TennCare Drug Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Weakley County woman faces multiple TennCare fraud charges in connection with using the state healthcare insurance program to pay for fraudulent prescriptions.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of Lindsay Bell Batson, also known as Lindsay Beth Simmons, age 32, of Martin. Her arrest was assisted by officers with the Weakley County Sheriff and the Tennessee Highway Patrol Criminal Investigations Division as well as local officers from the cities of Dresden, Martin, McKenzie, and Louisville, Kentucky.

Batson is charged with four counts of TennCare fraud and five counts of obtaining controlled substances by forgery.  The charges accuse her of duplicating prescriptions for the painkiller Hydrocodone and using TennCare benefits to pay for the forgeries.

“Tennessee has strict regulations to combat fraud against our Medicaid program, thanks to the General Assembly’s efforts to provide us with the appropriate tools,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said. “Drug fraud is a problem across the nation, but we are working to stop this activity in the TennCare program.”

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony, carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge.  Obtaining a Schedule III controlled substance by fraud is a Class D felony punishable by up to four years in prison per charge.  District Attorney General Thomas A. Thomas is prosecuting.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $3 million being repaid to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $163.6 million for TennCare, according to latest figures. To date, 2,359 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 Office of Inspector General and follow the prompts that read "Report TennCare Fraud."