Follow the Medicaid money with records, not conclusions. Build a seven-field funding trail: program and service; authorization; claim identifier; rendering provider; amount and date; federal-state funding share; audit or recovery status. Medicaid program-integrity rules require states to address fraud and abuse, while federal and state roles differ. A paid claim, concentration, duplicate-looking entry, disputed service, or improper payment does not by itself prove fraud, intent, kickbacks, retaliation, or civil-rights liability. Reconcile claims with authorizations, service logs, provider enrollment, payment adjustments, encounter data, and final audit findings. Mark allegations, referrals, recoveries, and adjudications separately. Use consistent definitions across agencies and periods. Document each adjustment, denial, appeal, and final disposition. Read the checklist at david-medeiros.com/medicaid-money.