Warren Co. Man Arrested in Michigan on TennCare Fraud Charges

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A man who fled to Michigan to evade capture has been arrested and charged with TennCare fraud for selling prescription drugs paid for by the state’s healthcare insurance program.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of Matthew Haycox, 46, formerly of McMinnville, after a joint investigation with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. An indictment in Warren County accuses him of TennCare fraud and three counts of delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance. The indictment says Haycox used TennCare benefits to obtain the painkiller Morphine, which he sold to an undercover informant. He subsequently fled to Michigan where he was incarcerated on unrelated charges. When he was released, he was brought back to Warren County where he was served with the four outstanding indictments.

"We´re cracking down on people using TennCare to finance their drug habit or to provide a way for users to put the drugs on the street for other users to purchase illegally," Inspector General Manny Tyndall said. "Local police and providers are committed to helping us eliminate prescription drug abuse, especially when TennCare is involved."

District Attorney General Lisa S. Zavogiannis is prosecuting. As of July 1, 2016, TennCare fraud was changed to a Class D felony punishable by up to four years in prison.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to more than $3 million being repaid to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of more than $163.6 million for TennCare, according to latest figures. To date, 2,742 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.

Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or visit the website and follow prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.”