Bedford County woman accused of TennCare fraud

Sunday, November 1, 2009
T-G Staff Report

A Bedford County woman was charged Friday with TennCare fraud related to prescription drugs.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) announced that Kimberly A. Rollins, 36, has been charged with two counts of TennCare fraud for the fraudulent use of TennCare to pay for prescriptions for the painkiller Lortab and the anti-anxiety medication Xanax.

Tullahoma police and the Bedford County Sheriff's Department assisted with the arrests, the OIG said.

"We are working with local law enforcement agencies throughout the State of Tennessee to stop prescription fraud as it relates to the TennCare program," Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said. "We are solidly focused on weeding this criminal abuse out of TennCare, and local police and healthcare providers want it out of their communities."

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony, carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to more than $2.5 million paid in restitution and recoupment to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $171 million for the TennCare program, according to latest figures. To date, more than 1,000 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.

REPORT FRAUD

To report suspected TennCare fraud, call 1-800-433-3982 or log on to www.tn.gov/tnoig and follow the prompts. Cash rewards are available following convictions.

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It's about time Bedford County got serious on TennCare fraud...this is a good start in my opinion...

The people that are using TennCare to get,then SELL prescription drugs,are just taking any help away from the people that REALLY need it,but aren't getting it because TennCare is "out of funds".

Like I said, it's a good start anyway.

-- Posted by anniesmom on Sun, Nov 1, 2009, at 10:22 AM

This is EXACTLY why we don't need our government managing our health care. The fraud and waste going on now will seem like peanuts after government gets ahold of it. I wonder if Ms. Rollins isn't one of those who claim their prescriptions have been "stolen" in order to get even more? Just a point to ponder I guess.

-- Posted by Tattoos & Scars on Sun, Nov 1, 2009, at 9:22 PM

I'm sure there are many more out there doing the same thing. If you are, better stop stealing from those who are paying for your Tenncare in the first place (the taxpayers).

-- Posted by honda14 on Mon, Nov 2, 2009, at 9:34 AM

They need to crack down on the illegals abusing the system while they are at it. If they would get serious and actually enforce the law I wonder how many people in this area alone wold be dealt with - legal and illegal.......Maybe they would save enough to provide the coverage they said they would when they introduced to program.

-- Posted by wonderwhy on Mon, Nov 2, 2009, at 2:43 PM