Davidson County Woman Charged With TennCare Drug Fraud

 NASHVILLE – A Davidson County woman is charged with TennCare fraud for using her daughter’s TennCare benefits to pay for a fraudulent prescription. 

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) along with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department today announced the arrest of Francine Hollis, 37, of Old Hickory, who was arrested on two counts of TennCare fraud.  

Hollis is accused of posing as an employee of a doctor’s office and calling in a prescription to a pharmacy to obtain the addictive painkiller Hydrocodone on two separate occasions.  She used her daughter’s TennCare benefits to pay for the first prescription, and attempted to use them again to pay for the second fraudulent prescription as well. 

“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 Hollis include up to two years per charge for the TennCare fraud charge.  District Attorney General Victor S. Johnson, III is prosecuting.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $2.6 million paid in restitution and recoupment to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $159 million for the TennCare program, according to latest figures.

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.tncarefraud.tennessee.gov and follow the prompts that read "Report TennCare Fraud."