MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – A Montgomery County woman has been arrested for TennCare fraud, according to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG).
Jennifer Lee Mason was charged with two counts of TennCare fraud involving doctor shopping for the painkiller Hydrocodone.
“The fraudulent misuse of TennCare pharmacy benefits is a serious problem in local communities across Tennessee,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said. “We are working closely with local law enforcement agencies and pharmacies to investigate and prosecute these types of crimes.”
TennCare fraud is now a Class D felony punishable by up to four years in prison.
The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to more than $3 million being repaid to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of more than $163.6 million for TennCare, according to latest figures. To date, 2,811 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.
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