To understand Dr. Jones' coding patterns, which aspect did the auditor review?

The auditor's review of Dr. Jones' utilization pattern is crucial for understanding his coding practices. Utilization patterns refer to how resources are utilized in providing care, including the frequency of procedures, tests, and services rendered to patients. By analyzing these patterns, the auditor can identify trends in the coding and billing practices, ensuring that they comply with regulatory standards and reflect the complexity of the physician's practice. This understanding helps in evaluating whether the services billed align appropriately with the care provided, assessing both over-utilization and under-utilization of services.

Other choices, while relevant to different aspects of practice evaluation, do not directly provide insight into coding practices. For instance, patient satisfaction survey results may inform about the quality of care but do not give clear information on coding patterns. Attendance at coding seminars reflects continuing education efforts but does not address what was actually coded in practice. Consultation notes may contain important clinical details but would not directly reveal the overall coding trends and patterns that would be apparent from an analysis of utilization.