Two Charged with TennCare Fraud in Humphreys Co. Indictments
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Two mid-state residents are charged with TennCare fraud in separate indictments from Humphreys County. Both cases involve prescription drugs.
The Office of Inspector General (OIG), along with Waverly Police, today announced the arrest of Missy A. Markus, 28, of Waverly, and Robert L. Francis, 25, of Erin.
Markus is charged with two counts of TennCare fraud in connection with using TennCare benefits to obtain the painkiller Percocet on two separate occasions and selling a portion of the drugs to a confidential informant.
Francis is charged with TennCare fraud and obtaining a controlled substance by fraud. He is accused of obtaining a prescription for Percocet, using TennCare benefits to pay for the prescription and later selling the drugs to an undercover operative.
“We continue to battle incidents of people misusing TennCare benefits to obtain drugs for non-medical use or to sell,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said. “We are taking a ‘zero tolerance’ message across Tennessee and we’re aggressively enforcing it.”
TennCare fraud and forgery are both Class E felonies, carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison. Obtaining a controlled substance is a Class D felony that carries a sentence of up to four years in prison. District Attorney Ray Crouch, Jr., is prosecuting.
The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $5 million being repaid to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $176 million for TennCare, according to latest figures. To date, 2,227 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."