What is a major consequence of fraud and abuse in healthcare?

The major consequence of fraud and abuse in healthcare is that it raises costs for all healthcare participants. Fraudulent activities, whether they involve billing for services not rendered, overcharging for services, or misrepresenting diagnoses, create unnecessary financial burdens on the healthcare system. These increased costs can be passed on to consumers in the form of higher premiums or out-of-pocket expenses. Additionally, they may also lead to increased expenses for healthcare providers as they spend resources to investigate and combat fraudulent activities, rather than focusing on delivering care. Overall, the financial implications of fraud and abuse affect everyone involved in the healthcare ecosystem, making this the correct response.