Knox Co. Woman Charged with TennCare Drug Fraud

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

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, today announced the arrest of Kara Leann McCammon, 31, of Knoxville. She is charged with four counts of fraudulently using TennCare to doctor shop for the painkillers Hydrocodone and Oxycodone, using TennCare as payment.

“We continue to investigate TennCare fraud tips that come to us from across Tennessee as we pursue confirmed cases and assist in prosecution of fraud cases,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said.  “We encourage anyone with information regarding TennCare fraud to please call our hotline – we follow up intensely on each tip.”

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.

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, 2,626 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.”