In what situation might an auditor need to develop a corrective action plan?

The correct choice focuses on the necessity of a corrective action plan during routine compliance audits. When conducting these audits, it is essential to identify areas where the practice or facility may not adhere to established regulations, coding guidelines, or internal policies. A corrective action plan serves as a structured approach to address identified deficiencies, ensuring that the organization can implement specific strategies to rectify issues discovered during the audit process and prevent recurrence in the future.

Routine compliance audits help ensure the integrity of medical billing and coding practices, assess adherence to legal standards, and verify that documentation meets payer requirements. Through these audits, patterns of errors or compliance issues may be identified, prompting the need to develop a comprehensive plan to correct these areas of concern and strengthen the audit process moving forward. Such proactive measures enhance the quality of care provided, improve financial outcomes, and promote compliance with all applicable regulations.