Hardin Co. Woman Charged 2nd Time with TennCare Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Hardin County woman is charged for the second time with doctor shopping, a crime involving fraudulent efforts to obtain prescription drugs through TennCare benefits.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of 41-year old Teri Lynn Snodgrass of Crump. She’s charged in a Hardin County indictment with fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance by visiting multiple physicians in a short period of time in an effort to obtain prescriptions for the painkiller Hydrocodone, using TennCare as payment.

Snodgrass pleaded guilty in July of last year to two counts of doctor shopping, after she was indicted two months earlier in Hardeman County.  She served 30 days in jail and was sentenced to four years of probation along with paying court costs.  

“We’re very grateful for the assistance we receive from local police as well as pharmacies and providers who all want to bring an end to the abuse of TennCare, especially in the area of prescription drugs,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said. “We’ll keep pursuing people who commit these crimes as many times as it takes until they understand we’re not tolerating this type of abuse of the TennCare program.”

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years per charge in prison.   District Attorney General Matthew F. Stowe will be prosecuting this case.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $5 million being repaid to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $176 million for TennCare, according to latest figures.  To date, 2,257 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.

Through the OIG Cash for Tips Program established by the Legislature, Tennesseans can get cash rewards for TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions.  Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or log on to Office of Inspector General and follow the prompts that read "Report TennCare Fraud."