OPEN MINDS, The Behavioral Health & Social Service Industry Analyst Industry News The New Jersey Claims Fraud Act (the Act) enacted on January 15, 1998, establishes health care claims fraud as a new criminal offense and eases prosecution of persons who submit false or fraudulent claims for reimbursement of health care services. According to Buchanan Ingersoll, attorneys who reviewed the Act for a single incidence of claims fraud, no matter how small the amount involved, may constitute a second-degree crime. Prior to the passage of this legislation, prosecution of a . . .