Maury Co. Woman Charged 2nd Time with TennCare Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Maury County woman is charged in Davidson County for a second round of charges involving doctor shopping, a crime involving fraudulent efforts to obtain controlled substances through TennCare benefits.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office, today announced the arrest of Kayla Marie Hale, 28, of Columbia. A Davidson County Indictment accuses her of using TennCare to fraudulently obtain the painkiller Hydrocodone. Hale was being held in the Maury County Jail on unrelated charges; she was transported to the Davidson County Jail where she was served with these current charges.

Hale was arrested last month in Maury County, where she was charged with doctor shopping for Hydrocodone and Oxycodone.

“TennCare resources should not be funding the opioid crisis,” Inspector General Kim Harmon said.  “The Office of Inspector General works diligently with other local and state agencies to deter prescriptions being diverted to the streets.”

District Attorney General Glenn R. Funk 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, 3,025 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.”