Government
Tennessee targets "doctor shopping"
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Sept. 3, 2007
Thousands of Tennessee physicians received letters from state Medicaid fraud investigators informing them of a new law to combat "doctor shopping" by patients.
The letters, sent in July, advise doctors that it is a felony for Medicaid patients to visit multiple doctors with the intent of deceiving them to acquire prescriptions for controlled substances. Under the statute, signed by Gov. Phil Bredesen in June, patients must disclose to doctors any such prescriptions they received within a 30-day period and from whom. The law carries a minimum penalty of two years in jail.
The Tennessee Medical Assn. did not take a position on the law, but officials said they hope it will help get rid of abuse.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/09/03/gvbf0903.htm.
