Two Coffee County Residents Charged with TennCare Fraud

NASHVILLE – Two Coffee County residents have been charged with TennCare fraud in separate cases, both involving prescription drugs.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of Bonnie L. Wilder Mills, 34, and Adam J. Lane, 21, both of Manchester.  The arrests were assisted by the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office and the Manchester Police Department.

An indictment charges Mills with one count of TennCare fraud, in connection with using TennCare benefits to obtain Vyvanse, a stimulant used to treat attention deficit disorder, while planning to sell a portion of the drug.

Adam Lane is charged in an indictment with one count of TennCare fraud for using TennCare benefits to pay a portion of the cost for a prescription of Adderall, an amphetamine similar to Vyvanse.  Charges say Lane also planned to sell a portion of the prescription.

“These kinds of prescription drugs are extremely beneficial when used to treat the disorders they’re intended to treat,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said.  “But prescription drugs become extremely harmful when they’re sold on the street to anyone in our communities, and we are out to stop that activity when TennCare is involved.”

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony, carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison.  District Attorney General C. Michael Layne will prosecute these cases.

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, over 1,700 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.