Overton, Cumberland County Residents Charged with TennCare "Doctor Shopping"

NASHVILLE – An Overton County woman and a former Cumberland County man are each charged separately with TennCare “doctor shopping,” or going to multiple doctors in a short period to obtain the same or similar controlled substances, with TennCare paying for the doctor visit, the prescription drugs, or both.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the Metro Nashville Police Department and the Overton County Sheriff’s Department, today announced the arrest of Thomas R. Adcox, 52, of Lexington, Kentucky and Donna M. Adams, 36, of Livingston.

Adcox was indicted by a Davidson County Grand Jury and charged with one count of “doctor shopping,” receiving prescriptions for the painkiller Hydrocodone, a Schedule III controlled substance, from more than one doctor within 30-days, using TennCare as payment.  He was arrested twice in April of this year for the same charge – going from doctor to doctor to get prescription drugs.  He was arrested in Cumberland County on an indictment charging him with six counts of “doctor shopping;” and in Bledsoe County, he was indicted on two counts of “doctor shopping.”  In each incident, Adcox was looking for Hydrocodone prescriptions, which he paid for with TennCare.

Donna M. Adams was indicted by an Overton County Grand Jury and charged with two counts of “doctor shopping.”   She is accused of receiving multiple prescriptions within a 30-day period for the painkiller Oxycodone and Opana, also known as Oxymorphone, a drug similar to morphine used to treat severe pain. The prescriptions were paid for by TennCare.

District Attorney General Victor S. Johnson, III, will prosecute the Davidson County case and District Attorney General Randy A. York will be prosecuting the Adams case. TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years per charge in prison

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $3.5 million paid in restitution and recoupment to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $173 million for the TennCare program, according to latest figures.  To date, over 1,400 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."