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

GRAINGER COUNTY MAN CHARGED WITH TENNCARE FRAUD

NASHVILLE - A Grainger County man has been charged with TennCare fraud relating to the resale of a controlled substance.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced that 34-year old Roy M. Warwick was indicted by a Hamblen County Grand Jury on one count of TennCare fraud.

Warwick is accused of using TennCare to obtain a prescription for the painkiller Roxicodone, a brand form of Oxycodone, concealing that he planned to sell a portion of the pills.

“Providers, local law enforcement and state agencies are simply no longer tolerating this kind of abuse of TennCare, especially when it relates to addictive prescription painkillers,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said. “We’re intent on prosecuting every one of these cases to the fullest extent possible.”

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison. District Attorney General James Dunn is prosecuting.

The OIG, a law enforcement agency separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has worked cases leading to the arrest of nearly 800 individuals for TennCare fraud, with nearly $1 million paid in restitution to TennCare, and total estimated cost avoidance in TennCare of over $122 million, according to latest figures.

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.tncarefraud.tennessee.gov and follow the prompts that read "Report TennCare Fraud."