Carroll Co. Woman Charged 2nd Time with TennCare Drug Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Carroll County woman is charged in nearby Benton County with doctor shopping for prescription drugs, using TennCare healthcare insurance benefits as payment for the pills.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of Crystal Vansteenburgh, 28, of Huntingdon. She is charged with using TennCare to doctor shop, which involves visiting multiple healthcare providers in a short time period to obtain prescriptions for drugs – in this case, the painkiller hydrocodone. Authorities say Vansteenburgh was treated on 13 separate dates by eight different providers, and on each visit she was seeking prescriptions for controlled substances. Vansteenburgh is charged with five counts of TennCare fraud by doctor shopping.

Vansteenburgh was previously arrested in September of this year when she was charged with three counts of doctor shopping for prescription drugs.

“Illegally obtaining controlled substances is a crime that Tennesseans will not tolerate,” Inspector General Kim Harmon said. “Fortunately, Tennessee laws deter TennCare benefits from being used to fund the opioid epidemic.”

District Attorney General Matt Stowe is prosecuting. TennCare fraud is 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, 3,043 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 log on to www.tn.gov/tnoig/ and follow the prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.”