Regular audits in healthcare are conducted to ensure compliance with what?

Regular audits in healthcare are primarily conducted to ensure compliance with billing and coding practices. This is crucial because accurate billing and coding directly impact the financial health of healthcare facilities and the legal compliance of their operations. Audits assess whether healthcare providers are accurately documenting services rendered and whether they are billing appropriately for those services according to established regulations and guidelines.

These practices help to prevent issues such as fraud, abuse, and billing errors, ensuring that reimbursements from insurance companies and government programs like Medicare and Medicaid are made based on correct practices. Additionally, compliance with correct coding and billing standards contributes to a transparent and accountable healthcare system. Regular audits therefore play a significant role in maintaining financial integrity and operational compliance in healthcare settings.