Rutherford County Woman Charged wtih TennCare Fraud

NASHVILLE – Rutherford 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 Jessica L. Fujita, 31, of Murfreesboro.  Her arrest was assisted by the Murfreesboro Police Department.

Arrest warrants accuse Fujita on four separate occasions of posing as an employee of a doctor’s office and telephoning a prescription to pharmacies in Rutherford County to obtain the pain medication Tramadol.  When she picked up the prescriptions, Fujita used her TennCare benefits to pay for them.  She’s accused of four counts of TennCare fraud. 

“We are working with local police and providers to help us eliminate prescription drug abuse in the TennCare program,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said. “Tennesseans want TennCare to benefit people who truly need it, but not those who are committing crimes against the program, the state and the taxpayers.”

Penalties for the charges against Fujita include up to two years per charge for the TennCare fraud charge.  District Attorney General William Whitesell, Jr. 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 1,240 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."