Cannon County Man Indicted For TennCare Fraud

A Cannon County resident has been charged with TennCare fraud for selling prescription pain pills that were paid for by TennCare.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) has announced the arrest of Lannie Lance, 53, of Cannon County. Lance turned himself into the Cannon County Sheriff's Office.

Lance is charged in a one count indictment issued by the Cannon County Grand Jury with one count of TennCare fraud for illegally selling a portion of a prescription for the painkiller Endocet, which he obtained through TennCare benefits. The charges stem from an investigation conducted by the OIG and the Cannon County Sheriff's Office.

"The OIG is committed to stopping TennCare fraud, especially when people sell prescription drugs paid for by taxpayers," Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said. "We are working hard along with local law enforcement to stop this activity in every part of the state of Tennessee."

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison. District Attorney General William Whitesell, Jr. is prosecuting.

The OIG, a law enforcement agency separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has worked cases leading to the arrest of over 700 individuals for TennCare fraud, with nearly $1 million paid in restitution to TennCare, and total estimated cost avoidance in TennCare of over $75 million, according to latest figures.

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.tncarefraud.tennessee.gov and follow the prompts that read "Report TennCare Fraud."