Which of the following is a key part of conducting a claims audit?

Identifying discrepancies in a sample of claims is a fundamental aspect of conducting a claims audit because the primary goal of an audit is to ensure the accuracy and integrity of billing and claims submissions. During an audit, a thorough review of claims allows auditors to pinpoint errors, such as improper coding, incorrect billing amounts, and compliance issues with payer guidelines.

By focusing on a sample of claims, auditors can obtain representative insights into the overall accuracy of the claims submitted by a practice. This process helps improve the quality of future submissions and can lead to better coding practices, training, and potential corrections that might be necessary to prevent financial losses or fraud. Identifying these discrepancies also aids in ensuring compliance with payers and regulatory standards, ultimately protecting the practice from potential audits or penalties from insurance payers.