Minot, North Dakota (trfnews.i234.me) — A Tennessee woman who operated a now-closed mental health clinic in Minot is accused of defrauding North Dakota’s Medicaid program of more than $185,000.
Tera Campbell, former owner of The Olive Branch (TOB) behavioral health facility, is charged with felony Medicaid fraud in excess of $50,000, which carries a potential 20-year prison sentence. The charge stems from a 2021 investigation into improper billing practices at the Minot clinic.
Allegations of Improper Billing
Court documents allege that Campbell submitted Medicaid claims for services she did not provide — including dates when she was reportedly traveling out of state or abroad. An audit of Medicaid records between July 2021 and April 2022 showed TOB billed over $421,000 and received $225,000 in payments, with $185,000 in disputed claims tied to Campbell.
Former employees told investigators that some billed services were performed by unqualified personnel, and that daily operations at the Minot facility resembled a daycare rather than a therapy clinic providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services.
During an August 2022 interview in Wyoming, Campbell allegedly admitted she knew about improper billing practices at both the Minot and Cheyenne, Wyoming facilities and instructed employees to continue those practices, reportedly saying funds would be repaid “if they were caught.”
Additional Federal Charges in Wyoming
Campbell also faces 19 federal charges in Wyoming, along with her daughter, Taylor Ann Krauss. Those charges include conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Combined penalties in that case could amount to more than 170 years in prison and millions in fines. Both women have pleaded not guilty and are free under supervised release. Their federal trial is scheduled for Sept. 15.
Court Proceedings in North Dakota
Campbell appeared remotely in South Central District Court in Burleigh County for what was supposed to be an initial appearance Tuesday. The hearing was postponed because her court-appointed attorney, Marina Spahr, was recently named to a judgeship by North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong. A new attorney will be assigned, and the appearance will be rescheduled.
Campbell currently holds licenses as a mental health counselor and board-certified behavior analyst in Tennessee and Florida.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.