What is the primary goal of a focused audit?

The primary goal of a focused audit is to determine compliance. This type of audit is specifically designed to evaluate whether a healthcare provider is adhering to relevant laws, regulations, and guidelines in their practice. By examining specific aspects of a provider's operations, a focused audit can identify areas where compliance may be lacking, enabling corrective actions to be implemented. This is crucial for maintaining quality patient care and ensuring that the billing processes conform to established standards.

In contrast, assessing office productivity relates more to operational efficiency and may not directly address compliance with legal and regulatory standards. Evaluating patient eligibility for services primarily involves administrative processes rather than the compliance framework itself. Reducing operational costs, while often a goal of healthcare management, does not specifically align with the purpose of a focused audit, which centers on ensuring adherence to required practices rather than financial performance.