TWO MID-STATE WOMEN ARRESTED FOR TENNCARE FRAUD

NASHVILLE – Two Mid-State women have been charged with TennCare fraud in unrelated cases. A Davidson County woman was charged for using forged prescriptions to obtain drugs that were paid for by TennCare and a Putnam County woman is charged with making false statements and submitting false documentation to get TennCare medical benefits.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of Lisa Clair Chamberlain, also known as Lisa Clair Jensen. A three-count indictment charges that Chamberlain knowingly presented two forged prescriptions – for methadone and valium - to a pharmacy in Dickson, Tennessee, last December. TennCare paid for both of the prescriptions. Chamberlain was also charged with feloniously obtaining controlled substances.

“The cooperation we have been receiving from local law enforcement has been instrumental in our making several TennCare prescription fraud arrests this year,” Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said.

If convicted, Chamberlain could be sentenced to up to eight years. Bond was set at $10,000. The arrest was coordinated with the Nashville Metropolitan Correctional Work Center where Chamberlain is detained on unrelated charges. Dickson County District Attorney Dan Alsobrooks is prosecuting.

Forty-six year old Cynthia Huff of Cookeville, Tennessee was arrested today by OIG Special Agents and charged with one count of TennCare fraud and two counts of theft of services. The charges allege that between April of 2000 and August of 2002 Huff made false statements and submitted false documentation to get on TennCare. The theft charges relate to money that TennCare paid for health care services that she received as a result of fraud. Huff’s bond was set at $5,000.00. If convicted, Huff could be sentenced to up to six years in jail on the theft over $10,000 charge, and two years each on the TennCare fraud and theft over $500.00 charge. District Attorney General William Gibson 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.”