Rutherford County Woman Charged with TennCare Fraud

NASHVILLE, TN – A Rutherford County woman is charged with TennCare fraud in connection with fraudulent prescriptions for drugs.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, today announced the arrest of Kaylee R. Burgess, 28, of Murfreesboro.  She is charged with six counts of TennCare fraud. 

Authorities say that in six separate incidents, Burgess presented a forged prescription for the painkiller Hydrocodone, using TennCare to pay for the forged prescriptions.

 “We have open cases in almost every county in Tennessee,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said. “The Office of Inspector General is committed to stopping this type of criminal activity against the TennCare program.”

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge. District Attorney General William Whitesell, Jr. 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, over 1,800 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."