Jennifer Vines
A Hamilton County woman has been charged for the second time with doctor shopping for prescription drugs, using TennCare as payment.
The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, on Tuesday announced the arrest of Jennifer Tiffany Vines, also known as Jennifer Rainwater and as Jennifer Robbins, 38, of Chattanooga.
A Hamilton County Grand Jury charged her with three counts of fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance by doctor shopping, which involves going to multiple doctors in a short time period to obtain prescription drugs, using TennCare as payment. The drug involved in the case is the painkiller Hydrocodone.
Ms. Vines was first arrested in February when she was charged in McMinn County with three counts of TennCare fraud by doctor shopping, again for the painkiller Hydrocodone, using TennCare as payment.
“Obtaining prescription drugs illegally utilizing TennCare benefits will not be tolerated,” Inspector General Kim Harmon said. “We appreciate the collaborative efforts of the local law enforcement agencies and healthcare providers across the state working together to fight the opioid epidemic in Tennessee.”
District Attorney General Neal Pinkston is prosecuting. TennCare fraud is a Class D felony punishable by up to four years in prison per charge.
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, 2,980 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.”