Bradley Co. Man Charged 2nd Time with TennCare Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Bradley County man is charged for the second time with doctor shopping, a crime involving fraudulent efforts to obtain prescription drugs through TennCare healthcare insurance benefits.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, today announced the arrest of Oscar Morgan, 32 of McDonald. A Bradley County indictment accuses him of fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance by visiting multiple doctors in a short time period in an effort to obtain prescriptions for the painkiller Hydrocodone, using TennCare as payment.

Morgan was first arrested by the OIG in February of this year, after a Hamilton County Grand Jury charged him with doctor shopping to obtain Hydrocodone and another painkiller, Hydromorphone, using TennCare as payment.

“Prescription drug abuse is a concern of communities large and small across Tennessee,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said.  “With the help of medical providers and local law enforcement, the Office of Inspector General is sending a message that abusing TennCare will result in criminal prosecution.”

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison.  District Attorney General Stephen D. Crump 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, 2,647 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.”