Marshall County Woman Charged with "Doctor Shopping" for TennCare Drugs

NASHVILLE – A Marshall County woman has been indicted for “doctor shopping,” or going to multiple doctors in a short time period to get prescriptions for controlled substances and using TennCare to pay for the visits.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of Shana S. Dyer, 31, of Lewisburg. Dyer is charged with seven counts of fraudulently obtaining prescription painkillers by “doctor shopping.”

Dyer received a prescription for hydrocodone, and is accused of failing to tell her doctor that she had seen another physician within a 30-day period and received prescriptions for the same painkiller. Dyer used TennCare to pay for the physician visits.  

“The ‘doctor shopping’ law passed by the Legislature in 2007 has allowed us to crack down on people using TennCare to go from doctor to doctor to get pain medications,” Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said. “Physicians across the state have welcomed the opportunity to do something about this problem.” 

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years per charge in prison.  District Attorney General Charles Crawford 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 $165 million for the TennCare program, according to latest figures.  To date, over 920 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."