Doctor Shopping is a CRIME!
Doctor shopping is the practice of a patient requesting simultaneous care from multiple physicians without making efforts to coordinate care or informing the physicians of the multiple caregivers. For example, it can happen when a person visits one doctor and obtains a prescription. Then, the person visits another doctor and obtains another prescription for the same drug. Many people commit the crime due to an addiction to or reliance on certain prescription drugs.
It is an offense for a person to obtain or attempt to obtain a controlled substance by using this type of fraud. Tennessee has specific laws regulation these actions. Tennessee is one of fifteen states that have both “specific” and “general doctor shopping laws. Punishment can results in costly fines, loss of insurance coverage and/or imprisonment.
REPORT ANYONE WHO:
- willingly goes to different medical providers, with the intent to deceive, in search of a controlled substance prescription
- without disclosing to the provider they have already received one from another provider within a 30-day period, and
- either the clinical visit or the controlled substance was paid for by TennCare
TENNCARE FRAUD IS A CRIME
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) has an incentive program to provide CASH REWARDS for citizen tips for leading to the criminal conviction of individuals who commit TennCare fraud.
State Law: TCA Section 71-5-2512
If you suspect TennCare fraud call
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL (OIG)
1-800-433-3982
Fax: 615-256-3852
www.tncarefraud.tennessee.gov
