DOCTOR ARRESTED FOR TENNCARE FRAUD

NASHVILLE – A Franklin County medical doctor has been charged with TennCare fraud. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today arrested Dr. Floyd Brown, 54, an osteopathic specialist, of Estill Springs.  He is charged with two counts of TennCare fraud for making false statements and concealing income information from TennCare. 

The 12th Judicial Drug Task Force, Estill Springs Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency assisted the OIG in the arrest of Brown and the search of his property.  Brown first enrolled in TennCare in April 2002.

The State Board of Osteopathic Examiners in the Department of Health suspended Brown’s license to practice medicine for one year beginning November 15, 2005.  It was the second time Brown has been disciplined by the Board.  His license was placed on an order of probation in 2001 for unprofessional conduct and inappropriate and/or illegal prescribing practices. 

The TennCare fraud charges filed today against Brown are Class E felonies punishable by up to two years in prison. District Attorney J. Michael Taylor is prosecuting the case.

“This case is particularly troubling because TennCare was created to serve those most in need,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said.  “It is also troubling because most of us place enormous trust in our physicians, who also make a commitment to serve people.”

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.”