Hardin Co. Woman Charged with TennCare Drug Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Hardin County woman is charged in McNairy County with TennCare fraud involving doctor shopping, or using TennCare to go to multiple doctors in a short time period in order to obtain controlled substances.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the Hardin and McNairy County Sheriff’s Offices, today announced the arrest of Ashley J. Johnson, 32, of Morris Chapel. She is charged with two counts of doctor shopping to obtain the painkillers Hydrocodone and Tramadol.

“Doctor Shopping and using TennCare as payment is a big mistake, because state tax dollars are being used to pay for drugs intended for distribution or abuse,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said. “We appreciate and value the hard work of the healthcare providers across the state and their efforts in helping us develop these cases.”

District Attorney General D. Michael Dunavant is prosecuting. TennCare fraud is now a Class D felony, raising the maximum penalty from two 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, 2,693 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.”