TBI arrests doctor

Posted: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 4:01 pm

The Messenger, February 15, 2012
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation arrested a Dyersburg doctor Tuesday on multiple charges of fraudulent billing and illegally prescribing controlled substances after she was indicted Monday by the Dyer County grand jury.
Dr. Debra McKenzie, 53, of 115 Poplar Circle, Dyersburg, was indicted on one count of TennCare fraud, one count of insurance fraud and one count of improperly prescribing a controlled substance, according to a TBI news release.
The TBI began investigating allegations against Dr. McKenzie in March 2008 after a former employee made accusations against her to authorities. She is the sole practitioner at McKenzie Medical Clinic on Lake Road in Dyersburg, where she specializes in obstetrics and gynecology but routinely treats patients for conditions outside her specialty.
According to the release, the TBI conducted undercover visits to Dr. McKenzie’s practice and allegedly obtained prescriptions for narcotics without a medical examination. The doctor also allegedly billed TennCare and insurance companies for services she did not provide to patients.
The TBI investigated the case with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee Memphis division and the Dyersburg Police Department assisted in her arrest.
Dr. McKenzie was booked into the Dyer County Jail and released on $15,000 bond.