Shelby County Woman Charged with TennCare Fraud

NASHVILLE – A Shelby County woman is charged with TennCare fraud for using the program to pay for a fraudulent prescription.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of Drayler Wimbley, 39, of Memphis, who was indicted on one count of TennCare fraud and one count of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud.

Wimbley is accused of posing as an employee of a doctor’s office and calling in a prescription to a local pharmacy to obtain the addictive painkiller Hydrocodone, using TennCare to pay for the medication.

“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 Wimbley include up to two years for the TennCare fraud charge.  District Attorney General William L. Gibbons 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 1,100 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."