Which of the following would constitute deceptive coding practice?

Using codes that do not reflect the service provided is indeed a clear example of deceptive coding practice. This approach misrepresents the actual services rendered, leading to inaccuracies in billing and potential legal repercussions for fraud. Accurate coding is essential as it directly impacts reimbursement, compliance, and patient care continuity. When the codes employed do not align with the actual clinical services or procedures performed, it can distort the data used for statistical analysis, quality assurance, and healthcare policy decisions. Hence, this option highlights a significant violation of ethical and regulatory standards in coding practices, emphasizing the critical need for integrity and precision in healthcare documentation and coding to ensure proper representation of services provided.