Healthcare abuse often results from which type of practices?

Healthcare abuse often arises from medically unnecessary services because this practice involves providing treatment or services that are not required for a patient’s medical condition. When healthcare providers administer treatments that do not benefit the patient or are not justified by their medical needs, it constitutes abuse. This practice not only harms patients by exposing them to unnecessary procedures but also burdens the healthcare system and may result in increased costs for insurers and patients alike.

This form of abuse often occurs in systems where financial incentives may influence a provider’s clinical decision-making. It can include practices like recommending tests or procedures that do not contribute to the diagnosis or treatment of a medical condition. Such actions can lead to a lack of trust in healthcare providers and contribute to escalating healthcare expenditures.

Other practices mentioned in the options can relate to healthcare fraud or unethical behaviors but may not necessarily be classified strictly as abuse in the same way. False representation of fact and knowingly submitting altered claim forms are more directly associated with fraudulent behavior rather than abusive practices related to the necessity of healthcare services. Additionally, failure to disclose a fact may involve non-disclosure of pertinent patient information but does not inherently relate to the administration of unnecessary treatments.