Gibson Co. Woman Charged with TennCare Drug Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Gibson County woman is charged in nearby Dyer County with doctor shopping for prescription drugs, using TennCare as payment for the pills. Doctor shopping is a crime involving visiting multiple doctors in a short period of time to obtain prescription drugs.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the Obion County Sheriff’s Office, today announced the arrest of Shannon N. Roden, 38, of Kenton. She is charged with doctor shopping for the painkillers Oxycodone and Hydrocodone, using TennCare as payment. She has been charged with four 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.

District Attorney General Phillip Bivens is prosecuting. As of July 1, 2016, TennCare fraud was changed to a Class D felony punishable by up to four 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, 2,734 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.”