Hamilton County Woman Charged with TennCare Fraud

NASHVILLE –– A Hamilton County woman is charged with TennCare fraud for using the program to pay for fraudulent prescriptions.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of Letisha Arlene Green, 39, of Chattanooga, who was arrested on a warrant charging her with one count of TennCare fraud and one count of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud. Green’s arrest was assisted by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Section.

Green is accused of posing as an employee of a doctor’s office and calling in a prescription to a pharmacy in Chattanooga to obtain the addictive painkiller Hydrocodone and prescription-strength Ibuprofen.  She used TennCare to pay for both of the fraudulent prescriptions.

“We are working with local police and providers to help us get this kind of activity out of the TennCare program,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said. “We’re committed to eliminating the incidence of people fraudulently obtaining drugs and letting TennCare pick up the tab.”

Penalties for the charges against Green include up to two years for the TennCare fraud charge.  District Attorney General William H. Cox, III is prosecuting.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $2.5 million paid in restitution and recoupment to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $171 million for the TennCare program, according to latest figures.  To date, over 1,000 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."