Madison Co. Man Charged with TennCare Drug Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Madison County man is charged in Crockett County with doctor shopping for prescription drugs, using TennCare as payment for the pills.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the Madison and Crockett County Sheriff’s Offices, today announced the arrest of Calvin Jones, 57, of Jackson. He is charged in connection with visiting multiple doctors in a short time period to obtain prescriptions for the painkiller Hydrocodone, using TennCare as payment. He is charged with two counts of TennCare fraud by doctor shopping.

“Tennessee is fortunate to have the laws and the authority to pursue people who are doctor shopping for drugs, whether it’s for personal abuse or with the intent of distribution,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said.

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge.  District Attorney General Garry Brown 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, 2,671 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.”