Medical fraud refers to illegal activities in the healthcare system that aim to deceive patients, insurers, or government programs for financial gain. This can include practices such as billing for services not provided, falsifying patient records, or performing unnecessary medical procedures. Such actions undermine trust in healthcare and can lead to increased costs for everyone involved. The consequences of medical fraud can be severe, resulting in legal penalties for those involved, including healthcare providers and organizations. Additionally, it can compromise patient safety and lead to higher insurance premiums, ultimately affecting the quality of care that patients receive in the healthcare system.