Memphis NP Faces 23 TennCare Fraud Charges - TN

MEMPHIS, TN — A Memphis nurse practitioner was taken into custody on March 4, 2026, facing 23 counts of TennCare fraud and one count of theft of property valued between $10,000 and $60,000, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Valarie Kershaw Berry, 45, was arrested following an investigation that revealed Tennessee's Medicaid program was allegedly billed for patient office visits and prescriptions while she was traveling outside the United States.

The TBI's Medicaid Fraud Control Division initiated the investigation in April 2022 after receiving a fraud referral from the U.S. Attorney's Office, as reported by the TBI Newsroom. Investigators determined that during a four-day period from May 16 through May 20, 2022, TennCare was billed for 23 separate patient office visits and prescription services. According to multiple news outlets, Berry was out of the country during this entire time frame when the billing occurred.

The investigation spanned nearly four years before charges were filed. Berry was processed at Shelby County Jail and subsequently released on her own recognizance, according to local media reports. The theft charge reflects the total value of the allegedly fraudulent billing, which falls within the $10,000 to $60,000 range under Tennessee law.

TennCare fraud represents a serious violation of both state and federal healthcare regulations. TennCare, Tennessee's Medicaid program, provides healthcare coverage to eligible low-income residents, pregnant women, children, and individuals with disabilities. Federal regulations require that healthcare providers bill Medicaid programs only for services actually rendered to patients. Submitting claims for services not provided constitutes healthcare fraud under both state and federal law.

The TBI's Medicaid Fraud Control Division operates under a federal mandate to investigate and prosecute healthcare providers who defraud state Medicaid programs. These investigations typically involve reviewing billing records, patient charts, travel records, and other documentation to establish whether services billed to Medicaid were actually performed. In cases involving allegations that a provider was physically absent when services were supposedly rendered, investigators often examine passport records, airline tickets, hotel receipts, and other evidence of international travel.

Healthcare Fraud Prosecution

Healthcare fraud cases involving Medicaid billing can result in significant criminal penalties under Tennessee law. TennCare fraud is classified as a Class D felony in Tennessee, punishable by imprisonment and substantial fines. Theft of property valued between $10,000 and $60,000 constitutes a Class C felony under Tennessee criminal statutes. Healthcare providers convicted of Medicaid fraud also face potential exclusion from participating in federal healthcare programs, effectively ending their ability to treat Medicare and Medicaid patients.

The four-year gap between the alleged fraudulent activity in May 2022 and the arrest in March 2026 reflects the complex investigative process typical of healthcare fraud cases. Prosecutors must gather sufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that billing submissions were intentionally fraudulent rather than administrative errors. This often requires extensive document review, witness interviews, and coordination between state and federal law enforcement agencies.

Protecting Patients and Healthcare Programs

TennCare serves approximately 1.7 million Tennesseans, representing roughly one-quarter of the state's population. Healthcare fraud schemes divert taxpayer resources away from legitimate patient care and undermine the integrity of public health programs. Federal and state authorities maintain dedicated fraud investigation units to identify and prosecute providers who submit false claims to Medicaid programs.

Patients who suspect healthcare billing fraud or receive explanation of benefits statements for services they did not receive should report these concerns to appropriate authorities. The TBI's Medicaid Fraud Control Division accepts tips and complaints regarding potential TennCare fraud through its online reporting system and dedicated hotline.

Resources for Concerned Parties

Individuals with information about potential Medicaid fraud in Tennessee can contact the TBI's Medicaid Fraud Control Division. The division investigates fraud committed by healthcare providers, as well as abuse and neglect of patients in facilities that receive Medicaid funding.

For questions about TennCare benefits or billing concerns, beneficiaries can contact TennCare's Member Services. The National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center provides assistance at 1-800-677-1116 for concerns related to long-term care facilities.

Healthcare fraud investigations remain ongoing, and charges filed represent allegations that must be proven in court. Under the American legal system, defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Berry's case will proceed through the Tennessee criminal justice system, where prosecutors will present evidence supporting the fraud and theft charges.