McMinn County woman charged with TennCare drug fraud

Emma Martin
Emma Martin
photo Emma Martin

A McMinn County, Tennessee, woman has been charged with TennCare fraud in connection with selling prescription drugs she obtained using TennCare benefits, according to state officials.

Emma Martin, 51, was arrested after an investigation by the Office of the Inspector General with the help of the McMinn County Sheriff's Office, according to a news release. She's charged with using TennCare to obtain the painkiller Oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, as well as the anti-anxiety medication Xanax, which is a Schedule IV controlled substance.

Officials said she sold some of the drugs during an undercover operation on two separate occasions.

TennCare is the state's Medicaid health program for some of Tennessee's poorest residents. TennCare fraud is a Class D felony punishable by up to four years in prison per charge.

"It's a matter of public safety," Inspector General Kim Harmon said in a statement. "When prescriptions hit the streets, it puts our children, our most vulnerable Tennesseans, at risk."

District Attorney General Stephen D. Crump is prosecuting.

The Office of Inspector General is separate from TennCare and began operations in 2005. The state says 3,105 people have charged with TennCare fraud since the OIG began operations. More than $3 million was repaid to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of more than $163.6 million for TennCare, according to latest figures.

Under the state's Cash for Tips program established by the state Legislature, Tennesseans can be eligible for cash rewards when they report TennCare fraud that leads to a conviction.

Those wishing to report TennCare fraud can call 1-800-433-3982 or visit www.tn.gov/tnoig/ and follow the prompts that read "Report TennCare Fraud."

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