knox county woman charged with tenncare fraud

By Staff Reports

published: July 16 2007 05:09 PM updated:: July 17 2007 02:37 PM

NASHVILLE - A Knox 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 Laura Ezell, 24 of Knoxville. The arrest was made by the Knox County Sheriff's Office.

Ezell was indicted in Knox County on one count of TennCare fraud and one count of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud for attempting to get a fraudulent prescription filled for the painkiller Hydrocodone, with TennCare paying for the pills.

"Our continuing mission is to prevent fraud and abuse of the TennCare prescription drug program," Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said. "We are vigorously prosecuting anyone who abuses or attempts to abuse the program."

If convicted, Ezell could be sentenced to up to six years on the charges, which are Class E and C felonies. Knox County District Attorney Randall E. Nichols is prosecuting the case.

The OIG, an agency separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has worked cases leading to the arrest of over 450 individuals for TennCare fraud, with over $700,000 paid in restitution to TennCare, and total estimated cost avoidance in TennCare of over $75 million, according to latest figures.

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.tncarefraud.tennessee.gov and follow the prompts that read "Report TennCare Fraud."

Comments may take up to 10 minutes to appear due to site cache.

User Comments

#1 Confused in Sevierville commented, on July 17, 2007 at 2:20 p.m.:

I think that alot of tenn care gets abused and the system taken advantage of.For example I work with a girl who has FULL coverage insurance at work(I know because I have the same insurance)but yet she is still ono Tenn care.I am all for helping those who need it,but the ones that dont need it and take it anyway are the ones I have nor respect for,I also work with a lady that does not have the insurance at work becuase she is not a full time employee who NEEDS the insurance and cannot get it and I belives that is mostly becuase the state does not investigate whom they give it too. Someone please tell me if what is happening is legal or not,should she be on Tenn care if she has full coverage insurance?Why should my tax dollars pay for her to have her baby whaen she is paying for the insuarance at work?I did not Its not my fault her man wont work,someone please inlighten me........

#2 Sarah commented, on July 18, 2007 at 1:27 a.m.:

If your work offers insurance and she takes tenncare still then that is fraud. From my understanding, if it is even offered through your work, free or not, then she isn't allowed to be on tenncare since your work does offer it. You might want to double check with someone that has some type of authority to just make sure first. But if it is offered through your work and she has both then that is definately not right.