Hamblen Co. Woman Charged with TennCare Drug Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Hamblen County woman is charged with TennCare fraud in connection with selling prescription drugs paid for by TennCare.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of Tiffany Williams, 35, of Morristown, after a joint investigation with the Morristown Police Department. Williams is charged with TennCare fraud and three counts of delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance. She’s accused of using TennCare benefits to obtain the painkiller Morphine, then selling a portion to an undercover informant.

"We´re cracking down on people using TennCare to finance their drug habit or to provide a way for users to put the drugs on the street for other users to purchase illegally," Inspector General Manny Tyndall said. "Local police and providers are committed to helping us eliminate prescription drug abuse, especially when TennCare is involved."

District Attorney General Dan E. Armstrong is prosecuting.  Until June 30, 2016, TennCare fraud was classified as a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge.  As of July 1, 2016, TennCare fraud was changed to a Class D felony punishable by up to four years in prison.

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, 2,682 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.”