White Co. Woman Charged with TennCare Drug Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A White County woman is charged with TennCare fraud involving doctor shopping, or using TennCare to go to multiple providers in a short time period in order to obtain controlled substances.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of Corie Sullivan, 29, of Spencer. She is charged with four counts of TennCare fraud by doctor shopping for the painkillers Hydrocodone and Oxycodone. TennCare paid for either the clinical visits or the prescriptions.

“It’s an ongoing battle to stop fraudulent activity in TennCare among people abusing or selling prescription drugs,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said. “Local law enforcement and medical providers are clearly committed to eliminating prescription drug abuse, and we’re doing our part to stop abusers who are supporting this lifestyle with TennCare.”

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge.  District Attorney General Bryant C. Dunaway is prosecuting.

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, 2,584 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 log on to www.tn.gov/tnoig/ and follow the prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.”