The DOJ announced that Kelly McCallum pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful distribution of controlled substances and one count of health care fraud.
McCallum was an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) operating Convenient Care Clinic in Dyersburg, Tennessee. According to McCallum’s 2021 indictment, from January 2017 to early 2021, she issued more than 50,000 prescriptions for controlled substances, which amounted to more than 900,000 pills. McCallum issued prescriptions for Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Adderall, and other Schedule IV substances under her Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration number.
According to the DOJ, McCallum had sexual relationships with two of her patients, and one of her patients fatally overdosed from controlled substances that she prescribed. She also left pre-signed prescriptions for her staff to distribute when she was out of the office. In addition to prescribing dangerous combinations of opioids and benzodiazepines, McCallum submitted claims to Medicare and Medicaid for services she did not provide and received over $16,000 for her fraudulent claims.
McCallum was ordered to cease practicing in Tennessee after the Tennessee Board of Nursing suspended her registered nurse license and APRN certificate. She now faces up to 20 years in prison on each controlled substance count and a maximum of 10 years in prison on the health care fraud count.
The attorneys at Chilivis Grubman represent clients of all types and sizes in connection to health care fraud and white-collar criminal matters. If you need assistance with such a matter, please contact us today.