Knox County Woman Charged 2nd Time with TennCare Drug Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Knox County woman is charged in Jefferson County with doctor shopping for prescription drugs, using TennCare as payment for the pills.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the Knox County Police Department, today announced the arrest of Deloris Mae McClure, 39, of Knoxville. McClure is charged with two counts of TennCare fraud for using the program to doctor shop for the painkillers Hydrocodone and Oxycodone. McClure allegedly made 11 emergency room visits in less than five months for the specific purpose of obtaining the painkillers.

McClure was previously arrested in September 2013 when she was charged with nine counts of fraudulently using TennCare to obtain controlled substances by doctor shopping and 14 counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud.

“It is disturbing when persons continue their criminal patterns and are arrested repeatedly for similar offenses,” Inspector General Kim Harmon said. “The opioid crisis must be strategically approached both for public safety considerations, and for treating the addict and remedying the addiction.”

District Attorney General James Dunn is prosecuting. 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, 3,026 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.”