Dyersburg man charged with TennCare fraud by ‘doctor shopping’

DYER COUNTY, Tenn. — A Dyersburg man is facing a TennCare fraud charge on accusations of doctor shopping for prescription drugs.

William Littles

William Littles, 55, is charged with four counts of fraudulently using TennCare to obtain controlled substances by doctor shopping for the painkillers Hydrocodone and Oxycodone and using TennCare as payment, according to a release from the Office of Inspector General.

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge, according to the release.

“We are enthused with the response we’ve received from physicians across the state in support of cracking down on people who try to doctor shop,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall states in the release. “Before the doctor shopping law, physicians’ hands were tied and now they’re calling us, often as soon as the patient leaves the office.”

To date, more than 2,537 people have been charged with TennCare fraud, according to the release.

Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll free from anywhere in Tennessee.