Sumner Co. Woman Charged with Doctor Shopping
NASHVILLE, TN – A Sumner County woman is charged with doctor shopping, or going to multiple doctors to obtain similar prescriptions for drugs.
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) announced the arrest of 26-year old Katrina Bond, of Gallatin, who was charged by a Sumner County Grand Jury with five counts of fraudulently obtaining controlled substances by doctor shopping. Arrests occurred in both Sumner and Wilson Counties. Bond apparently failed to disclose she had seen other healthcare providers within a short time period and received the same or similar prescriptions for the painkiller Hydrocodone.
In addition, Bond is charged with five counts of intentionally deceiving or failing to disclose to her medical provider she had obtained the same or similar controlled substance from another provider and one count of attempt to obtain a controlled substance by doctor shopping. TennCare paid for the physician office visits.
Bond was held in the Sumner County jail until charges were disposed of, when she was transported to Wilson County and charged with four counts of doctor shopping. Bond failed to disclose to her doctor that she had seen another physician and received a prescription for the same or similar controlled substances with TennCare benefits paying for the clinical visits.
“The Office of Inspector General has a zero tolerance for people who use TennCare to support prescription drug abuse,” stated Inspector General Deborah Faulkner. “We appreciate and value the hard work of the physicians across the state and their efforts in helping us develop these cases.”
TennCare fraud involving doctor shopping is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years per charge in prison. Obtaining a controlled substance by fraud is a Class D felony, punishable by two to four years in prison per charge. District Attorney General Lawrence R. Whitley will prosecute the Sumner County charges, and District Attorney General Tom P. Thompson will prosecute the Wilson County charges.
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 2,000 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."