What does a retrospective audit involve?

A retrospective audit involves analyzing claims that have already been submitted for payment. This type of audit is conducted after the fact, often to identify errors, ensure compliance with billing regulations, and confirm that the services provided were documented and billed appropriately. By reviewing past claims, auditors can assess whether the coding and billing practices were accurate and identify any patterns of errors that might need to be addressed.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the nature of a retrospective audit. Evaluating future claims pertains to prospective audits, while assessing operational efficiency in real-time corresponds to concurrent audits. Focusing exclusively on one provider's services does not capture the broader scope typically involved in retrospective audits, which often assess a range of claims across different providers or services.