DICKSON COUPLE ARRESTED AFTER TENNCARE WAS BILLED
FOR FORGED PAINKILLER PRESCRIPTIONS

NASHVILLE – A Dickson County couple is charged today with fraudulently obtaining prescription painkillers with TennCare health insurance – just weeks after they were both arrested on similar charges in another county. The Office of TennCare Inspector General (OIG) says 34-year-old David Herrell and his 44-year-old wife Teresa, both of Dickson, turned themselves in to authorities in Dickson County.

David Herrell is charged with fraudulently obtaining TennCare benefits and possession of a controlled substance. His wife Teresa was also charged with possession of a controlled substance, and with aiding and abetting her husband in fraudulently obtaining TennCare prescription benefits. A twenty-four count indictment charges that from March 29, 2004 to December 20, 2004 Teresa Herrell telephoned forged prescriptions for the addictive painkiller hydrocodone to a local pharmacy in Dickson. Her husband is enrolled in TennCare, and all of the forged prescriptions were paid for by TennCare.

Last month, a Montgomery County grand jury in Clarksville indicted David Herrell on two counts of fraudulently obtaining TennCare medical assistance benefits. Teresa Herrell was charged with twelve counts of attempting to fraudulently obtain hydrocodone.

“Tennessee pharmacists and their employees have been invaluable in helping us crack down on prescription drug fraud in TennCare,” Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said. “The cost of prescription drugs is the fastest-growing segment of TennCare’s budget and we’re working with pharmacies across Tennessee to track down all types of prescription drug fraud in TennCare.”

The counts against David Herrell are Class E felonies, each punishable by up to two years in prison. The counts against Teresa Herrell include both Class E and D felonies, punishable from two to four years in prison on each count. Bond was set at $7,500 each. Dickson County District Attorney Dan Alsobrooks 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.”

TennCare is the state’s managed care health insurance program for 1.3 million people who are poor, disabled or uninsured.