Audits and investigations into potentially inaccurate or improper Medicare or Medicaid claims can be prolonged, contentious, expensive, and messy. The government agency (or government contractor) involved can demand and scrutinize voluminous amounts of bills, medical records, and business documents, and can conduct extensive interviews with the target's executives and employees. There are often disagreements as to the meaning of Medicare and Medicaid laws, regulations, and billing rules.