MID-STATE PAIR CHARGED WITH TENNCARE FRAUD
TENNCARE BILLED FOR FORGED PRESCRIPTIONS

NASHVILLE – A mid-state pair have been charged with TennCare fraud for taking a forged prescription to a pharmacy and paying for it with TennCare. The Office of TennCare Inspector General (OIG) announced the arrests 31-year-old Kimberly Eden of Kingston Springs and 29-year-old Nathan Hill of White Bluff.

Eden, who is a TennCare enrollee, is accused of fraudulently obtaining TennCare medical services by presenting a forged prescription to a local pharmacy in Cheatham County. Nathan Hill was charged separately with aiding and abetting Edens in fraudulently obtaining TennCare. At the time of the offense, Hill was not a TennCare enrollee.

The pair was previously arrested on November 9, 2004, by the Ashland City Police for forgery in connection with a prescription presented by Eden to a pharmacy in Ashland City. They were indicted by the Cheatham County Grand Jury on Tuesday.

“The fraudulent use of TennCare pharmacy benefits is a serious problem in local communities in Tennessee, but we’re working hard to investigate and prosecute these crimes,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said. “We truly appreciate local pharmacies and other providers reporting this activity, which goes a long way in helping fight this problem.”

The charge against Kimberly Eden is a Class E felony, punishable by up to two years in prison. The charge against Hill is a Class D felony, punishable by up to four years. Bond was set at $5,000 each. Cheatham County District Attorney Dan Alsobrooks is prosecuting.

Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or log on to www.tennessee.gov/tenncare and follow the prompts that read “Report Fraud Now.”