MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE — A Memphis nurse practitioner was arrested on multiple fraud charges after state investigators determined she billed Tennessee's Medicaid program for patient services during a four-day period when she was traveling internationally, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Valarie Kershaw Berry faces 23 counts of TennCare fraud and one count of theft of property valued between $10,000 and $60,000, as reported by the TBI's Medicaid Fraud Control Division. The charges stem from billing activity that occurred between May 16 and May 20, 2022, when Berry was out of the country but TennCare was nevertheless billed for 23 patient office visits and prescription services, according to investigators.
Berry was arrested on March 4, 2026, and booked into the Shelby County Jail before being released on her own recognizance, as reported by local media outlets. The case represents a nearly four-year gap between the alleged fraudulent activity and the arrest, reflecting the lengthy investigative process typical of healthcare fraud cases.
The investigation was initiated in April 2022 when the TBI's Medicaid Fraud Control Division received a fraud referral from the U.S. Attorney's Office, according to the agency. Investigators examined billing records and determined that claims were submitted to TennCare for patient encounters that could not have occurred because the healthcare provider was traveling abroad during the dates in question.
TennCare, Tennessee's Medicaid program, provides health insurance coverage to approximately 1.7 million eligible low-income residents, including children, pregnant women, elderly individuals, and people with disabilities. The program is funded jointly by state and federal taxpayers, making fraudulent billing a matter that affects public resources.
Understanding Healthcare Fraud Schemes
Healthcare fraud against Medicaid programs takes many forms, but billing for services not rendered is among the most straightforward violations to prove. Federal and state Medicaid fraud control units routinely cross-reference provider billing records with other data sources to identify suspicious patterns, such as impossibly high patient volumes, services billed during times when a provider was documented to be elsewhere, or claims for deceased patients.
Under Tennessee law, TennCare fraud is a criminal offense that can result in felony charges depending on the value of fraudulent claims. Theft of property valued between $10,000 and $60,000 is classified as a Class C felony in Tennessee, carrying potential penalties including imprisonment and restitution requirements.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General coordinates with state Medicaid Fraud Control Units across the country to investigate and prosecute healthcare providers who defraud taxpayer-funded health programs. These units are responsible for investigating fraud in the Medicaid program and abuse or neglect in healthcare facilities.
Legal Process and Next Steps
Berry's release on her own recognizance indicates that the court did not require monetary bail or detention pending trial, a determination made based on factors including flight risk and danger to the community. The case will now proceed through the criminal justice system, where Berry will have the opportunity to contest the charges.
If convicted on all counts, Berry could face significant penalties including potential imprisonment, fines, and mandatory restitution to TennCare for the fraudulently obtained funds. Additionally, healthcare providers convicted of Medicaid fraud typically face exclusion from participating in federal healthcare programs, effectively ending their ability to treat Medicare and Medicaid patients.
The TBI has not released information about whether Berry was operating an independent practice or working within a larger healthcare organization at the time of the alleged fraud. The investigation appears to have focused specifically on the four-day period in May 2022 when billing records contradicted Berry's travel documentation.
Resources for Families
Tennessee residents who suspect healthcare fraud or have concerns about billing practices can report them to the TBI's Medicaid Fraud Control Division. The National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center provides assistance and advocacy for individuals receiving long-term care services and can be reached at 1-800-677-1116.
Patients enrolled in TennCare who have questions about their benefits or suspect fraudulent billing on their accounts should contact TennCare directly through the program's member services line. Medicaid beneficiaries receive explanation of benefits statements that detail services billed to the program on their behalf, and reviewing these documents can help identify potential fraud.
The case highlights ongoing enforcement efforts to protect the integrity of state Medicaid programs and ensure that taxpayer dollars fund legitimate healthcare services rather than fraudulent claims. Healthcare fraud not only wastes public resources but can also compromise patient safety when providers falsify medical records or bill for services that were never provided to vulnerable populations.
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