Gibson County Woman Charged with TennCare Drug Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Gibson County woman is charged in an indictment with TennCare fraud for selling prescription drugs within a school zone – drugs that were obtained through the state healthcare insurance program.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the 28th Judicial Drug Task Force, today announced the arrest of Maryrose Moling, 58, of Humboldt. She is charged with three counts of TennCare fraud, two counts of sale of a Schedule II controlled substance within a school zone and one count of sale of a Schedule IV controlled substance within a school zone.

An indictment says Moling used her TennCare benefits to obtain the painkiller Oxycodone and Alprazolam, an anti-anxiety medication, then selling a portion to an undercover informant. The clinical visits and/or prescriptions were obtained through Medicare Part B which is paid for in part by TennCare.

“The 28th Judicial Drug Task Force laid the groundwork for this case and asked for assistance and that’s the kind of cooperation we’re building statewide,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said.  “Local officers are usually the first point of contact with some of those who are committing TennCare fraud, and they want to get it off the streets as much as we do.”

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge.  District Attorney General Garry Brown 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, 2,625 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.

Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or visit the website and follow prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.”