Healthcare Worker Surrenders After TennCare Fraud Indictment

NASHVILLE – A Davidson County woman and former employee of a La Vergne Medical Clinic has turned herself in to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) with the assistance of the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office today announced the arrest of Terika Jordan, 30, of Hermitage.

The charges against Jordan result from a year-long investigation which also focused on Stacy Rayfield, a nurse practitioner and the alleged “ringleader” in this case.    Jordan, along with fellow employees Nicole Avery and Mallory Waldon, obtained prescriptions for the painkiller Lortab, along with Xanax, an anti-anxiety medication and the stimulant Phentermine.  The prescriptions were all written by Rayfield and TennCare was used to purchase the prescriptions.  Jordan and the other two employees were never seen at the La Vergne Medical Clinic as patients.  Jordan has been charged with nine counts of prescription fraud and three counts of TennCare fraud.

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge, obtaining a controlled substance by fraud is a Class D felony, punishable by two to four years in prison per charge. District Attorney General William C. Whitesell, Jr. is prosecuting.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $2.5 million paid in restitution and recoupment to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $171 million for the TennCare program, according to latest figures.  To date, over 1,100 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."