Hamilton, Coffee County Residents Charged with TennCare Fraud

Monday, February 08, 2016 | 02:46pm

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Two people are charged with TennCare fraud in separate cases from Hamilton and Coffee Counties, with both cases involving prescription drugs.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrests:

Lynea Ransom, 36, of Chattanooga, is charged with nine counts of TennCare fraud. She is accused of fraudulently using TennCare to obtain the painkillers Hydrocodone and Oxycodone by doctor shopping, or going to multiple providers in a short time period of time to obtain prescriptions for controlled substances, using TennCare to pay for the office visits, prescriptions or both.
Vicki L. Hargrove, 33, of Tullahoma, is charged with TennCare fraud for fraudulently obtaining Hydrocodone and Oxycodone by doctor shopping, using TennCare as payment.

“Prescription drug abuse hurts individuals, families and communities, and we’re intent on finding and prosecuting these cases when TennCare is involved,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said.

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge. District Attorney General Neal Pinkston is prosecuting the Hamilton County Case. District Attorney General Craig Northcott will be prosecuting the Coffee County case.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to more than $3 million being repaid to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of more than $163.6 million for TennCare, according to latest figures. To date, more than 2,525 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 go to www.tn.gov/tnoig/ and follow the prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.”