Loudon County Woman Charged with TennCare "Doctor Shopping"

NASHVILLE – A Loudon County woman is charged with TennCare fraud involving “doctor shopping,” or using TennCare public healthcare insurance to go to multiple doctors in a short time period to obtain controlled substances.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with assistance from the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office, today announced the arrest of Daphine L. Webb, 31, of Lenoir City.  She is named in an indictment charging her with two counts of fraudulently using TennCare to obtain controlled substances by “doctor shopping.” Webb failed to disclose to her healthcare providers that she had seen other physicians within a 30-day period and received prescriptions for the painkillers Endocet and Lortab with the clinical visits and prescriptions being paid for by TennCare.

“Providers, local law enforcement and state agencies are simply no longer tolerating this kind of abuse of TennCare, especially when it relates to addictive prescription painkillers,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said. “We’re intent on prosecuting every one of these cases to the fullest extent possible anytime TennCare is involved.”

TennCare fraud involving doctor shopping is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years per charge in prison. District Attorney General Russell Johnson is prosecuting.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $3.5 million paid in restitution and recoupment to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $173 million for the TennCare program, according to latest figures.  To date, nearly 1,500 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."