Department of Finance & Administration
Mark Emkes, Commissioner

WILSON COUNTY WOMAN CHARGED WITH TENNCARE DRUG FRAUD

NASHVILLE – A Wilson County woman is charged with using TennCare to pay for fraudulent prescription drugs in nearby Rutherford County.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the Murfreesboro Police Department, today announced the arrest of Kayce Johnson, 21, of Mt. Juliet.

Johnson is accused of presenting forged prescriptions for the painkiller Oxycodone and Alprazolam, also known as Xanax, an anti-depressant, to a pharmacy in Murfreesboro, using TennCare to pay for the Oxycodone.  Johnson faces one count of TennCare fraud and three counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud.

“We have zero tolerance for people who use TennCare to support prescription drug abuse,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said. “We appreciate the hard work of the Murfreesboro Police Department for their assistance with this case.”

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison, and obtaining a controlled substance by fraud is a Class D felony, punishable by two to four years per charge in prison. District Attorney General William C. Whitesell, Jr., is prosecuting.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $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, over 1,300 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."