Using another individual's Medicare Insurance card to obtain medical care is an example of

• A. An example of abuse
• B. A clerical error
• C. An example of fraud
• D. A permissible billing practice

Answer: (C)

Using another person’s Medicare card to receive medical care is fraud because it involves deliberately deceiving the payer to obtain benefits you’re not entitled to. It requires intent to misrepresent identity and to illicitly trigger payment from Medicare for services. It’s not just a mistake or a misbilling—it's purposeful deception intended to gain an improper advantage.

This differs from a clerical error, which is an unintentional mistake, and from abuse, which is improper or excessive billing that may not involve a deliberate lie. It’s also not a permissible billing practice, since proper identity verification and authorization are required before Medicare will cover services.

Because fraud relies on intent to defraud, it can lead to serious consequences such as criminal charges, civil penalties, and exclusion from Medicare. Emphasizing identity verification and adherence to Medicare procedures helps prevent this kind of misconduct.