DAVIDSON COUNTY WOMAN CONVICTED OF TENNCARE FRAUD

SECOND WOMAN PLEADED GUILTY TO TENNCARE FRAUD

NASHVILLE – A Davidson County woman has pleaded guilty to two counts of TennCare fraud.  The Office of Inspector General (OIG) announced that Brittany Renee Chambers, 25, also pleaded guilty to two counts of obtaining a scheduled drug by fraud.

Chambers was indicted on six counts in October of last year for intentionally passing forged prescriptions for the painkiller hydrocodone as well as Lortab, a brand version of the drug. Chambers received a sentence of two years on the TennCare fraud conviction and four years on the other charges, serving about a third of the sentence.  She must live at a half-way house for drug abusers, complete a court-ordered treatment program and repay TennCare for the cost of the medication. She must also relinquish her TennCare privileges and cannot reapply for at least three years.

In a separate unrelated case, a Celina woman also pleaded guilty to one count of TennCare fraud.  Rhonda Kay Box, 42, received a suspended sentence and was placed on supervised probation.  She agreed to voluntarily withdraw from TennCare and cannot reapply for at least three years.  Box was arrested for obtaining prescription medications with her TennCare benefits with the intent to resell them.

“The fraudulent use of TennCare pharmacy benefits is a serious problem in local communities in Tennessee, but we’re cracking down on these cases,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said.  “Crucial to our success is the cooperation of local healthcare providers and local law enforcement agencies.”

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.”