Davidson Co. Man Charged with TennCare Drug Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Davidson County man is charged with doctor shopping for prescription drugs, using TennCare as payment for the pills. Doctor shopping is the crime of going to multiple doctors in a short period of time to obtain prescription drugs, using the state’s healthcare insurance program as payment.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office, today announced the arrest of Larenzo D. Person, 36, of Nashville. He is charged with seven counts of doctor shopping for the painkillers Hydrocodone and Oxycodone, using TennCare as payment. Person is also charged with obtaining a controlled substance by fraud.

“Tennessee is fortunate to have the laws and the authority to pursue people who are doctor shopping for drugs, whether it’s for personal use or with the intent of distribution,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said.  “We intend to pursue these cases with all of our resources.”

District Attorney General Glenn R. Funk is prosecuting. 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, 2,713 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.”