Which of the following is an example of Fraud, Waste, and Abuse (FWA)?

Submitting claims for unprovided services is a clear example of Fraud, Waste, and Abuse (FWA) because it involves deception for financial gain. In this scenario, a healthcare provider or organization falsely bills for services that were never rendered to a patient. This act not only defrauds the health insurance system but also leads to increased costs for consumers and payers and undermines the integrity of healthcare services. Such fraudulent activities can result in severe penalties, including civil or criminal charges against the perpetrator.

In the context of FWA, other choices present legitimate practices or scenarios. Substituting medications without consent could lead to potential issues related to patient care and consent but does not directly constitute fraud unless there is malicious intent to deceive. Patient education on drug alternatives and prescribing generic drugs involve practices aimed at improving health outcomes and reducing costs for patients and insurers, aligning with ethical healthcare delivery rather than fraudulent activities. Therefore, the act of submitting claims for services that were not actually provided stands distinctly as an example of FWA.