Woman Charged with TennCare Fraud for Sixth Time

Authorities in Tennessee this week arrested and charged a Florida woman with TennCare fraud — for the sixth time.

That woman, Desiree McIntyre, 29, of Ocala, Fla. faces three counts of TennCare fraud in Sullivan County by doctor shopping, according to the state’s Office of Inspector General.

That particular offense involves using TennCare to visit multiple doctors in a short period of time to obtain prescription drugs. Despite saying she was from Florida, state officials said McIntyre lived in Tennessee at the time of the alleged incidents.

Her previous arrests occurred outside of Sullivan County.

“McIntyre was indicted in Cocke and Davidson Counties in October and November 2017, when she was accused of doctor shopping for Hydrocodone, Oxycodone and Hydromorphone, which is another strong pain medication sometimes sold as the brand drug Dilaudid,” said officials with Tennessee’s Department of Finance and Administration, in a press release.

“McIntyre’s first three arrests occurred in May, July and August of 2012, in Cocke, Sevier and Hamblen Counties, resulting from simultaneous investigations. Those charges involved doctor shopping for Hydrocodone and Oxycodone, using TennCare as payment.”

McIntyre, state officials went on to say, pled guilty in her first three arrests. Authorities ordered her to serve one year in the Hamblen County Jail and to pay $2,697 in restitution.

State officials also announced the arrest of a Lake County woman, Tracy A. Eaves, 39, in an unrelated case, also for TennCare fraud.

That arrest, state officials said, occurred in connection with a round-up that took place last month involving the Office of Inspector General (OIG), the 29th Judicial Drug Task Force, Tiptonville Police Department and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities discovered Eaves was living in Missouri. They returned her to Tennessee, according to state officials.

Authorities say she used TennCare benefits to obtain Suboxone, a drug used to treat opioid addiction “by mimicking the drug’s affect without the withdrawal symptoms.”

“Officials say she later sold a portion of the subscription during an undercover police investigation and was charged with TennCare fraud,” according to a press release.

TennCare fraud is a Class D felony punishable by up to four years in prison.

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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected].