Department of Finance & Administration
Mark Emkes, Commissioner

DAVIDSON COUNTY WOMAN CHARGED IN TENNCARE FRAUD, FORGERY, ID THEFT CASE

NASHVILLE - A Davidson County woman is charged in connection with using the identity of a medical doctor to forge prescriptions, then using the TennCare public healthcare insurance program to pay for them.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), along with the Metro Nashville Police, today announced the arrest of Cossandra M. Moore, 32, of Nashville.  She turned herself in after she was indicted by a Davidson County Grand Jury for TennCare fraud, forgery identity theft and    possession of a legend drug without a prescription.

Moore is charged with two counts of TennCare fraud and one count of attempted TennCare fraud, eight counts each of both forgery and identity theft, and five counts of possession of a legend drug without a prescription. The charges against Moore state that on several occasions she presented a forged prescription bearing a doctor’s name for the painkiller Tramadol, which is used primarily by people who are expected to need medication to relieve pain around-the-clock for a long time.

TennCare fraud, attempted TennCare fraud, and forgery are Class E felonies, carrying a sentence of up to two years per charge in prison. Identity theft is a Class D felony that carries a sentence of up to four years in prison. District Attorney Victor “Tory” S. Johnson 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, nearly 1,500 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."