TennCare
Nashville, TN – After being on the run for 14 months, a Dickson County woman is now in custody and charged with TennCare fraud for selling prescription drugs paid for by the state’s healthcare insurance program.
The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the Dickson County Sheriff’s Office and the 23rd Judicial Drug Task Force, today announced the arrest of Sheri Lynn Pollard, 21, of Dickson.
Pollard is accused of using TennCare to obtain Vyvanse, a stimulant that’s used to treat attention deficit disorder but is abused because of the stimulant effect. She’s accused of selling a portion of the drugs to a confidential informant on three separate occasions. She is charged with three counts of TennCare fraud and three counts of possession of a Schedule II drug with the intent to deliver and/or sell.
“It is a matter of public safety,” Inspector General Kim Harmon said. “When prescriptions hit the streets, it puts our children, our most vulnerable Tennesseans, at risk.”
District Attorney General W. Ray Crouch, Jr. is prosecuting. TennCare fraud is a Class D felony punishable by up to four years in prison per charge. Possession of a Schedule II drug with the intent to deliver and/or sell is a Class C Felony punishable by up to six 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, 3,048 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.”
