Angela Shetters
A Franklin County woman is charged for the second time with doctor shopping or going to multiple doctors in order to obtain controlled substances.
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) on Friday announced the arrest of Angela M. Shetters, 36, of Estill Springs. She is accused by a grand jury in Coffee County of two counts of fraudulently obtaining controlled substances by doctor shopping.
She turned herself in to the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office just after being released on indictments earlier this week from a separate incident. The cases were worked concurrently, with indictments being handed down separately.
“When we’re working a case on a suspect, we sometimes have evidence about criminal activity involving more than one county, or more than one instance altogether, and indictments are handed down separately, as in this case,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said. “We appreciate and value the hard work of the physicians across the state and their efforts in helping us develop these cases.”
TennCare fraud involving doctor shopping is a Class E felony, carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge. District Attorney General Craig Northcott is prosecuting.
The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $5 million being repaid to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $176 million for TennCare, according to latest figures. To date, 2,222 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 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."