Which scenario best describes a fictitious services scheme in healthcare fraud?

The scenario that best describes a fictitious services scheme in healthcare fraud is one where a doctor submits claims for patients who were never seen. This type of scheme involves creating false documentation or claiming to provide services that did not actually occur, thus defrauding the healthcare system for reimbursement. This is a clear representation of fictitious services, as it misrepresents both the patient and the services rendered to generate illicit profits without rendering any actual medical care.

In this context, it's important to understand how fictitious services schemes differ from other types of fraud. For instance, the option involving improper coding relates to billing for services that may have been performed but were reported incorrectly, rather than fabricating the services altogether. Exaggerating symptoms for prescriptions focuses on the patient's behavior rather than the provider's fraudulent practices. Lastly, posing as a covered individual to receive services involves identity fraud, which, while also fraudulent, does not specifically encapsulate the idea of fictitious service provision by healthcare providers. Thus, the emphasis is on the submission of claims for services that never occurred, clearly aligning with the definition of a fictitious services scheme.