Agents seize clinic records

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Federal investigators have initiated an audit of the records of the Convenient Healthcare clinic in Perryville, said Tom Burcham, the clinic's attorney.

Burcham said agents from the Inspector General's office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services appeared at the clinic Dec. 22 with a warrant, asking to interview employees and look through records.

Burcham said he did not know what agency issued the warrant. DHHS and Inspector General's office representatives could not be reached for comment Thursday.

"We're trying to get a grip on it," Burcham said. "We don't know anything about it or what they're looking for."

Burcham said no arrests have been made and he has not yet had contact with government officials to find a reason for the investigation.

Co-owners Kellie Tilley, a pharmacist, and Laura Elder, a registered nurse, are cooperating fully with authorities, Burcham said.

"They're fulfilling their obligation and are happy to cooperate," he said. "They've done nothing wrong."

Burcham said the clinic, which opened about a year ago and employs 10 people including nurse practitioners and physicians, is a walk-in medical facility accepting a variety of health-care plans.

Clinic representatives declined to comment Thursday, and Tilley could not be reached for comment.

Tilley is the wife of Steven Tilley, a one-term state lawmaker who was unopposed for a second term this year. Steven Tilley has no business interest in the clinic, Burcham said.

carel@semissourian.com

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