Three People in Dyer County Charged with TennCare Fraud

Friday, April 27, 2018 | 03:28pm

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Three people in Dyer County are charged with TennCare fraud in a joint police investigation.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) along with Dyer County District Attorney General Danny Goodman and the 29th Judicial District Drug Task Force today announced the arrests.

“We are determined to prevent TennCare dollars from supporting opioid abuse,” Inspector Kim Harmon said. “We appreciate and value the hard work of District Attorney General Danny Goodman and the 29th Judicial Drug Task force in helping us develop these cases.”

The three arrested are:

  • Kelly Reynolds, 28, of Obion, charged with TennCare fraud, obtaining possession of a controlled substance by fraud and attempting to obtain possession of a controlled substance by fraud. Reynolds is accused of passing forged prescriptions for the painkiller Morphine, along with the anti-anxiety medication Alpazolam and Neurontin, which is an anticonvulsant that is being increasingly abused for its ability to produce opioid effects. TennCare was used to pay for one of the drugs.
  • Codey Zoellner, 26, of Obion is charged with TennCare fraud and obtaining possession of a controlled substance by fraud. Authorities say Zoellner presented forged prescriptions for Morphine, Neurontin and Alprazolam, using  TennCare to pay for the Neurontin.
  • James Seratt, 35, of Dyersburg is charged with using TennCare to “doctor shop” for prescriptions for the painkillers Hydrocodone and Oxycodone.

District Attorney General Danny Goodman is prosecuting. TennCare fraud is a Class D felony punishable by up to four years in prison per charge.

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, 2,979 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 log on to www.tn.gov/tnoig/ and follow the prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.”