In healthcare fraud, what is a key indicator of a fictitious services scheme?

Billing for patients that the provider has not treated is a key indicator of a fictitious services scheme in healthcare fraud. This type of scheme involves submitting claims for services that were never actually provided to patients, which is a clear form of fraud. By billing for patients who were never treated, the provider aims to receive payment for services that do not exist, thus exploiting the healthcare system for financial gain.

When analyzing the other options, billing for services rendered with incorrect codes may indicate errors or misunderstanding in coding practices but does not necessarily imply that services were not provided. Over-prescribing medications based on symptoms could suggest over-utilization or inappropriate practices but again does not directly relate to fictitious services. Providing services to uninsured patients does not indicate fraud by itself, as these patients still receive legitimate services, albeit without insurance coverage. Therefore, the most definitive indicator of a fictitious services scheme is the act of billing for patients who have not been treated at all.