A chart audit may include an examination of what types of records?

A chart audit is a systematic review of medical records and associated data to ensure compliance, identify areas for improvement, and assess the quality of care provided. The inclusion of medical records and claims data is essential because these documents collectively provide a comprehensive view of patient care.

Medical records contain vital information about patient diagnoses, treatments, and outcomes, which are crucial for evaluating the documentation against healthcare coding and billing practices. Claims data further supports this examination by reflecting what services were billed to payers and how those services correlate with the medical records. Analyzing both records allows auditors to ensure that all services rendered are accurately represented in claims and that documentation meets regulatory and payer requirements.

In contrast, the other options focus on more limited or unrelated types of records. Financial records alone would not provide insight into patient care quality or compliance; patient surveys, while valuable for measuring satisfaction, do not inherently capture the clinical accuracy needed for chart audits; and office management records may pertain to operational aspects rather than clinical care. Thus, the combination of medical records and claims data is critical in the auditing process for comprehensive assessment.