As every physician knows, there's a small but determined percentage of the population who will do whatever it takes to get their drug of choice--including seeing multiple doctors for the same condition or faking up conditions they don't have. Quite often, what they're looking for is narcotics.
Now, such behavior is a felony, at least if you're a TennCare enrollee in Tennessee. The state has enacted a law that makes it easier for TennCare to bring charges against patients that fraudulently obtain drugs. Patients can be charged if they willingly go to different providers with the intent to fool the physician, not mention a previous prescription for a controlled substance and have TennCare pay for the visit.
To learn more about the new law:
- read this piece [1] from The Tennessean
Related Articles:
Tennessee educates MDs on drug-fraud law. Report [2]
Doctor sues Conn. after Medicaid fraud allegation. Report [3]
SPOTLIGHT: Watch out for Medicaid whistleblowers. Report [4]
SPOTLIGHT: New York Medicaid program under fire. Report [5]
Links:
[1] http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070806/NEWS07/708060352
[2] http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/tennessee-educates-mds-drug-fraud-law/2007-07-27
[3] http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/doctor-sues-ct-after-medicaid-fraud-allegation/2006-12-19
[4] http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/spotlight-watch-out-for-whistleblowers/2006-09-01
[5] http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/spotlight-new-york-medicaid-program-under-fire/2005-09-20