Final answer:
The best defense under the Medicare Integrity Program is adherence to regulations and guidelines, as it aligns with the objectives of reducing fraud, waste, and abuse within Medicare and upholds the efficiency measures set by the ACA, including the use of EMRs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Under the Medicare Integrity Program, the best defense for healthcare providers is a. Adherence to regulations and guidelines. By complying with established rules, providers can ensure that they are in line with the objectives of reducing fraud, waste, and abuse within the Medicare system. Furthermore, regulations set forth by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare), such as the switch to electronic medical records (EMRs), aim to control healthcare costs and improve efficiency, thereby also serving as a form of defense against the risks associated with the traditional fee-for-service healthcare delivery system.