Shelby Co. Woman Charged with TennCare Drug Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Shelby County woman is charged with TennCare fraud for filling a fraudulent prescription and using TennCare healthcare insurance benefits as payment.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the U.S. Marshall Task Force, announces the arrest of Tiara Moss, 28, of Memphis. She is charged with TennCare fraud, identity theft and obtaining a controlled substance by fraud. Authorities charged moss after investigators accused her of presenting a forged prescription for the painkiller Oxycodone and using TennCare as payment.

“Pharmacies across the state are alert to the elements that some people are using in an effort to obtain prescription drugs, either for personal use or to sell,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said. “We depend upon the state’s pharmacists and their employees to help us identify these cases and prosecute them and they want to stop this activity in TennCare as much as we do.”

District Attorney General Amy P. Weirich is prosecuting. TennCare fraud is now a Class D felony punishable by up to four years in prison per charge.

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, 2,872 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 visit the website and follow the prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.”