Final answer:
Internal audits help a facility by reducing billing fraud, ensuring compliance, and improving processes. A direct improvement in the chance for an external audit by a payer is not a typical benefit of internal audits, though they can indirectly result in a more efficient external audit process (option a).
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks about the ways in which internal audits can help a facility or practice and identifies options that may not be benefits of such audits. To clarify, internal audits are crucial in identifying and improving practices within an organization. They can assist in a variety of ways, including:
- Reducing coding and billing fraud and improper payments: By examining the financial and operational processes, internal audits can identify discrepancies and areas prone to fraud, ensuring that coding and billing are carried out accurately.
- Creating a robust culture of compliance: Internal audits ensure that the organization's policies and procedures comply with legal and regulatory standards, fostering a culture of adherence to these rules.
However, one potential outcome that is not a direct benefit of internal audits is:
- Improving the chance for an external audit by a payer: This is somewhat of a misconception; the primary goal of internal audits is to identify and rectify issues within an organization, not necessarily to attract external audits. Nevertheless, a well-conducted internal audit can indirectly lead to a smoother external audit process by ensuring practices are already in line with standards.
Hence, the answer is option a.
Complete question is as follows :
All of the following are examples of the way internal audits can help a facility or practice, except:
a Improving the chance for an external audit by a payer
b Reducing coding and billing fraud and improper payments
c improving processes
d Creating a robust culture of compliance