Anderson County Woman Charged 2nd Time with TennCare Drug Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – An Anderson County woman is charged a second time for using TennCare to doctor shop for controlled substances.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, today announced the arrest of Cathy E. Moore, 47, of Oak Ridge. She is charged in Knox County with four counts of doctor shopping involving the painkillers Oxycodone, Hydrocodone and Hydromorphone, a derivative of morphine. The charges say she used TennCare healthcare insurance benefits to pay for either the clinical visits or the prescriptions during multiple physician visits which occurred within a 30-day period. 

Moore was transferred to Knox County from the Anderson County jail, where she had been charged in April of this year with eight counts of doctor shopping involving Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Hydromorphone – all painkillers – as well as Clonazepam, which is used to treat seizures and panic disorder. Both cases were being worked simultaneously, with the indictments served a few months apart.

“Prescription drug abuse is a concern of communities large and small across Tennessee,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said.  “With the help of providers, we’re sending a message that abusing TennCare will result in criminal prosecution.”

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge.  District Attorney General Phillip Bivens is prosecuting.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to more than $3 million being repaid to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of more than $163.6 million for TennCare, according to latest figures. To date, 2,486 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 go to https://www.tn.gov/tnoig.