What is the main purpose of a Discovery Sample?

The main purpose of a Discovery Sample is to determine the net financial error rate. This is because a Discovery Sample is specifically designed to identify discrepancies or errors in billing and coding practices within a healthcare provider's operations. By focusing on financial errors, the Discovery Sample allows for an assessment of the accuracy of claims submitted to payers, helping organizations to uncover patterns of overpayments or underpayments.

Analyzing the net financial error rate is critical for compliance and financial management, ensuring that a practice is receiving the correct reimbursements and adhering to regulatory standards. This understanding directly influences the healthcare provider’s financial health and effectiveness in service delivery.

In contrast to other choices, analyzing patient satisfaction rates or assessing staff performance and compliance may provide valuable insights but do not specifically relate to the financial metrics that a Discovery Sample aims to evaluate. Similarly, while evaluating the efficiency of service delivery is important, it is more aligned with operational assessments rather than the financial accuracy that is the focus of a Discovery Sample.