A Rutherford County woman is charged with TennCare fraud for selling prescription drugs paid for by the public healthcare insurance program for the poor and disabled.  Carman Reade plead guilty to one count of obtaining a prescription for the pain killer hydrocodone and then selling it on the streets. Reade was proscecuted by District Attorney General William Whitesell, Jr., and has been sentenced to a two-year prison term for the crime.

22-year old Carman M. Reade of Murfreesboro was arrested last Mach by the Narcotics Division of the Smyrna Police Department.  She was accused of fraudulently obtaining TennCare medical assistance by going to a TennCare provider and obtaining a prescription for Hydrocodone, while planning to resell at least part of the prescription.

Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said, “The Smyrna Police Department Narcotics Division laid the groundwork for this case and asked for assistance, and that’s the kind of cooperation we’re building statewide. Local officers are usually the first point of contact with some of those who are committing TennCare fraud, and they want to get it off the streets as badly as we do.”

The Office of Inspector General (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 1,380 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."