Department of Finance & Administration
Mark Emkes, Commissioner

HUMPHREYS COUNTY MAN CHARGED WITH TENNCARE DRUG FRAUD

NASHVILLE, TN - A Humphreys County man is charged with TennCare prescription drug fraud in Dickson County, and it’s his second TennCare fraud charge.

The Office of Inspector General (0IG), working with White Bluff Police, today announced the arrest of William E. Taylor, 27 of McEwen.  The Dickson County Sheriff’s office assisted with the arrest.

Taylor is accused of presenting forged prescriptions for the painkiller Lortab to a pharmacy in Dickson in the names of other people who are TennCare enrollees.  Taylor is charged with four counts of TennCare fraud and four counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud.

Taylor was also arrested in mid-December of last year, when he was charged for presenting a forged prescription for Lortab to a pharmacy, using TennCare to pay for the drugs.

"Our continued mission is to prevent fraud and abuse of the TennCare program, and prescription drug abuse is a centerpiece of that battle,” Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said. "We will vigorously prosecute anyone who abuses or attempts to abuse the program."

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge. Obtaining controlled substances by fraud is a Class D felony that carries a sentence of up to four years in prison per charge. District Attorney General Dan M. Alsobrooks is prosecuting.

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 1,600 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."