Nurse Practitioner Who Billed Medicaid While Overseas Faces Multiple Felony Charges
- A Memphis nurse practitioner faces 23 counts of TennCare fraud after investigators say Medicaid was billed for patient visits and prescriptions while she was out of the country.
- • Healthcare billing tied to government programs like Medicaid is closely monitored and can involve both state and federal investigations.
- • Accurate documentation and billing that reflect services actually provided are essential to protecting a nurse’s license and professional reputation.
Accurate documentation and ethical billing are critical parts of healthcare practice. But when billing does not match the care provided, it can quickly become a legal issue. A nurse practitioner in Memphis is now facing multiple felony charges after investigators say she billed Tennessee’s Medicaid program while outside the United States.According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, 45-year-old Valarie Kershaw Berry was charged with 23 counts of TennCare fraud and one count of theft of property between $10,000 and $60,000 following an investigation into alleged fraudulent billing tied to TennCare.
Fraud Referral Triggered Investigation
The investigation began in April 2022 when the U.S. Attorney’s Office referred a potential fraud case to the TBI’s Medicaid Fraud Control Division.Investigators began reviewing billing activity connected to Berry and TennCare claims submitted during a five-day period in May 2022.According to agents, TennCare was billed for 23 patient office visits and/or prescriptions between May 16 and May 20, 2022, while Berry was reportedly out of the country during that time.Authorities allege the claims were submitted despite Berry not being present to provide those services.The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Medicaid Fraud Control Division investigates allegations involving fraud against the state’s Medicaid program. The unit operates with both state and federal oversight and is partially funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Arrest and Charges
In March 2026, investigators secured charges against Berry related to the alleged billing activity.TBI agents said Berry was taken into custody and booked into the Shelby County Jail. She was later released on her own recognizance and is scheduled to appear in court.As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations, and Berry is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Why This Matters to Nurses
Cases involving healthcare billing fraud are closely monitored, especially when government programs like Medicaid are involved.For nurses and advanced practice providers, accurate documentation and billing must reflect the care that was personally provided. Submitting claims for services that were not rendered or were not appropriately supervised can lead to serious legal consequences.Medicaid programs such as TennCare rely on accurate billing to ensure that taxpayer-funded healthcare resources are used appropriately and that patients receive legitimate care.
What Nurses Should Know About Billing Compliance
While most nurses are not directly responsible for billing, advanced practice providers and those involved in prescribing or documentation can be tied to claims submitted to insurance programs.Understanding how your documentation connects to billing is important for protecting your license and your career.Nurses should ensure that:
- Documentation accurately reflects the care provided
- Prescriptions and patient encounters are properly recorded
- Telehealth and remote services follow regulatory requirements
- Claims are only submitted for services that were personally provided or appropriately supervised
Healthcare fraud investigations can involve both state and federal agencies, and consequences can include criminal charges, financial restitution, and professional licensing actions.For nurses, maintaining ethical practice, accurate documentation, and transparency remains one of the most important safeguards in protecting both patient care and professional integrity.As the case moves forward, additional details may emerge during court proceedings.
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