Which of the following is a common type of misconduct examined in qui tam actions?

Improper billing practices are a common type of misconduct examined in qui tam actions because they represent violations of laws designed to protect the integrity of federal healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid. Qui tam actions, which allow private individuals to sue on behalf of the government, often focus on fraudulent billing claims where providers charge for services that were not rendered, overcharge for services, or bill for unnecessary procedures. Such actions not only harm the financial interests of the government but also undermine the trust in the healthcare system.

In contrast, while scheduling inconsistencies, credentialing delays, and patient wait times are important operational issues within healthcare facilities, they do not typically rise to the level of legal violations seen in qui tam actions. These issues may affect patient satisfaction and care delivery but are not usually associated with fraudulent activity that triggers legal action under the False Claims Act. Therefore, improper billing practices are distinctly relevant to qui tam lawsuits, making them the correct focus in this context.