Department of Finance & Administration
Larry B. Martin, Interim Commissioner

BEDFORD CO. MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO TENNCARE "DOCTOR SHOPPING"

NASHVILLE, TN - A Bedford County man is sentenced for TennCare “doctor shopping,” and will lose TennCare benefits as a result of his conviction.  

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced that Tracy B. White, 40, pleaded guilty to three felony counts in two separate counties for using TennCare to obtain a controlled substance by “doctor shopping.” 

In Williamson County, White was sentenced to six years, which included 90 days incarceration with the balance suspended to intensive probation.  In Moore County, he was sentenced to eight years in prison, suspended to eight years of community corrections to run concurrent. The court also ordered White give up TennCare benefits now and in the future.

The original charges against White accused him of failing seeing multiple physicians within a 30 day period in order to receive prescriptions for the strong painkillers Oxycodone and Morphine Sulfate.  The prescriptions were paid for by TennCare. 

White has been arrested twice by the OIG.  The first arrest occurred in June 2011, when White was indicted in Williamson County and charged with one count of “doctor shopping.  White was arrested a second time in August 2011, after the Moore County Grand Jury indicted him on two counts of “doctor shopping.”

"We are working hard to prosecute any individual who decides to commit TennCare fraud,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said. “It is time anyone with this crime on their mind gets the message that Tennessee will aggressively pursue them in order to protect this program for the people who truly deserve it." 

District Attorney General Kim Helper prosecuted the Williamson County case.  District Attorney General Charles Crawford prosecuted the Moore County Case.

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."