Obion County Man Charged with TennCare Drug Fraud

An Obion County man is charged in nearby Dyer County with TennCare fraud for passing forged prescriptions and using TennCare healthcare insurance benefits as payment.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of Matthew Phifer, 25, of Union City, after a joint investigation with the 29th Judicial Drug Task Force.

Phifer is accused in a Dyer County indictment of three counts of TennCare fraud and 11 counts of obtaining possession of a controlled substance by fraud. The charges say he presented forged prescriptions for the strong painkillers Morphine, Oxycodone and Hydrocodone, using TennCare as payment.

“Health care providers are one of our best resources for identifying forged prescriptions,” Inspector General Kim Harmon said. “We appreciate the work of the 29th Judicial Drug Task Force and the District Attorney General Danny Goodman in pursuing this investigation and keeping opioids from being placed on the streets.”

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, 2,994 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.”