Which of the following is NOT a step in surgical auditing?

Determining billing frequency is not typically considered a step in surgical auditing. Surgical auditing primarily focuses on ensuring that surgical procedures are billed appropriately and that the documentation supports the services rendered. This involves verifying that all charges associated with the procedural services are accurately captured, confirming that the entire operative note is reviewed to ensure completeness and compliance with documentation standards, and checking for proper coding practices, which includes identifying any unbundled procedures to ensure that billing aligns with coding guidelines.

In contrast, billing frequency pertains to the number of times a service is billed within a specific timeframe rather than a direct part of the auditing process for a surgical operation. The primary goal of surgical auditing is to assess the quality of documentation and the accuracy of claims submitted for surgical services, ensuring compliance and preventing errors or potential fraud. Therefore, while billing frequency can be relevant in a broader context of revenue cycle management, it does not constitute a step specifically involved in the surgical auditing process.