DAVIDSON CO. WOMAN CHARGED WITH
ATTEMPTED TENNCARE PRESCRIPTION FRAUD

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A Davidson County woman is charged in connection with an attempt to use TennCare benefits to pay for a fraudulent prescription.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of 49-year-old Melba Collins of Nashville was arrested at her home by Metropolitan Nashville police officers after OIG Agents obtained warrants for her arrest. According to the warrant, Collins went to a Nashville pharmacy in March and attempted to fill a forged prescription for the painkiller Lortab and presented her TennCare card to pay for the fraudulent prescription. Collins faces one count each of attempted TennCare fraud, forgery, and attempting to obtain a controlled substance by fraud.

"Part of our continuing mission is to help preserve the integrity of the TennCare prescription drug program," Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said. "We will attempt to do so by vigorously prosecuting anyone who uses or attempts to use the program for illegitimate purposes."

TennCare fraud and forgery are Class E felonies carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison. Obtaining controlled substances by fraud is a Class D felony that carries a sentence of up to four years in prison. District Attorney General Torry Johnson is prosecuting.

Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or log on to www.tennessee.gov/tenncare and follow the prompts that read "Report Fraud Now."