Knox Co. Woman Charged with TennCare Fraud After Nearly a Year on the Run

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – After being on the run for the past 11 months, a Knox County woman is facing charges of fraudulently obtaining controlled substances by doctor shopping.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, today announced the arrest of Jessica Dulworth, 35, of Powell.

A Knox County Grand Jury indicted Dulworth in April of last year on two counts of fraudulently using TennCare to go to multiple physicians in a 30-day period to obtain prescription drugs without providers being aware of the previous prescriptions. TennCare was used as payment for the physician examinations, the prescriptions or both.

“Taxpayers deserve to have their tax dollars spent for legitimate medical services,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said. “We are working closely with local law enforcement agencies and medical providers to investigate and prosecute these types of crimes.”

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge.  District Attorney General Charme P. Allen is prosecuting.

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge.  Theft of services over $10,000 is a Class C felony punishable by up to six 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, more than 2,560 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.”