Residents of Rhea and McMinn County Charged with TennCare Fraud
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Residents of Rhea and McMinn County are charged with TennCare fraud.
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of Robin Deann Martz, 37, of Athens and Johnny Sizemore, Jr., 23 of Dayton. The arrests bring the total number of people arrested for TennCare fraud to 2,900 since the OIG began investigating and pursuing this criminal activity.
Robin Deann Martz, also known as Robin Eaves is charged with three counts of TennCare fraud by doctor shopping, which involves going to multiple doctors in a short period of time to obtain prescription drugs. She’s accused of using TennCare to doctor shop for the painkillers Morphine, Hydrocodone and Oxycodone. District Attorney General Stephen D. Crump is prosecuting this case.
In a separate arrest in Rhea County, Johnny Sizemore is charged in connection with using his brother’s TennCare benefits to obtain medical treatment. District Attorney General J. Michael Taylor is prosecuting.
“We’re committed to find people either cheating to get the state to pay for benefits they don’t qualify for or people using TennCare to obtain drugs for personal abuse or resale,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said. “We have an open case in almost every county in Tennessee, so this is an issue that touches almost all of us.”
TennCare fraud is 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, 2,900 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.
Through the OIG Cash for Tips Program established by the Legislature, Tennesseans can get cash rewards for TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions. Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or visit the website and follow the prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.”