Four People Charged with TennCare Fraud

 NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Four people are charged with TennCare fraud in separate cases out of upper east Tennessee. One of the suspects is facing his fifth round of TennCare fraud charges relating to using TennCare to unlawfully obtain prescription drugs.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrests:

• Lawrence Lamons, 46, of Rogersville, charged in Knox County for the fifth time with fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance by doctor shopping, which involves using TennCare healthcare insurance benefits to visit multiple doctors in a short period of time to obtain drugs. Lamons’ first four arrests were all between April and October of 2017 and twice in January of this year. In all four cases, which were investigated at the same time, he was charged with doctor shopping for the painkiller Hydrocodone, using TennCare as payment.
• Ronnie Johnson, 64 and Betty Bishop, 60, both from Kingsport were allegedly acting in concert, and are charged in the same indictment with two counts of TennCare fraud, six counts of sale and delivery of a controlled substance and one count of maintaining a dwelling where controlled substances are used or sold. They are accused of obtaining the painkiller Oxycodone and later selling a portion to an undercover informant. The prescription was obtained through Medicare Part B, which is partly paid for by TennCare.
• Jona C. Walker, 39, of Kingsport, charged in Sullivan County with TennCare fraud and one count each of sale and delivery of Buprenorphine, which is a drug used to treat opioid addiction. Walker is accused of using her TennCare benefits to obtain Buprenorphine, later selling a portion to a confidential informant.

“Opioid drug abuse is a concern of every Tennessee community,” Inspector General Kim Harmon said. “With the help of local law enforcement officers, the Office of Inspector General works to keep TennCare prescriptions from being placed on the streets.”

TennCare fraud is now 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, 3,010 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.”

###