Department of Finance & Administration
Mark Emkes, Commissioner

SIX PEOPLE IN COFFEE COUNTY CHARGED WITH TENNCARE FRAUD

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – TennCare fraud charges are lodged against six people in Coffee County after an undercover operation involving the Office of Inspector (OIG), the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office and the Tullahoma Police Department. The six were indicted for selling prescription drugs paid for by TennCare and “doctor shopping” in the TennCare program.

“Local police across the state are determined to help us end this crime in their communities,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said. “The Coffee County Sheriff’s Office and the Tullahoma Police Department worked hard to help build these cases and show folks we mean to pursue this crime full throttle.”

The six charged are:

• Sharon R. McGowan, 43, of Tullahoma, charged with one count of TennCare fraud for using TennCare to obtain a prescription of the painkiller hydrocodone, then selling a portion to an undercover agent.
• Kimbra E. Taylor, 32, of Manchester, charged with one count of fraudulently using TennCare to obtain a controlled substance by “doctor shopping.” Taylor failed to disclose to her doctor that she had seen other physicians within a 30-day period and received prescriptions for the strong painkiller oxycodone.  The office visits and the prescriptions were paid for by TennCare.
• Cindy L. Ray-Bearden, 32, of Altamont, charged with one count of TennCare fraud for using TennCare to obtain a prescription of the painkiller hydrocodone and later selling a portion to an undercover agent.
• Mary K. Byford, 68, of Tullahoma, charged with one count of TennCare fraud for selling the painkiller hydrocodone to an undercover agent, after using TennCare to obtain the drug.
• Randy Bumpus, 44, of Tullahoma, is charged with eight counts of fraudulently using TennCare to obtain a controlled substance by “doctor shopping.” Bumpus failed to disclose to his doctor that he had seen other physicians within a 30-day period and received a prescription for the strong painkillers hydrocodone and oxycodone with the physician office visits and prescriptions being paid for by TennCare.
• Vickey S. McClure 36, of Bradyville, charged with one count of TennCare fraud using TennCare to obtain the painkiller oxymorphone, which is similar to morphine, and selling it to an undercover agent.

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years per charge in prison.  District Attorney General William 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 1,100 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."