Final answer:
All the listed areas (coding and billing, reasonable and necessary services, documentation) are risk areas for physician practices as per the OIG. Policy development must consider improving patient quality of life, avoiding moral hazards and adverse selection, and protecting patient privacy under the ACA. Fee-for-service and alternative healthcare models like HMOs significantly influence the organization and financing of care.
Step-by-step explanation:
The risk areas for physician practices as identified by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) do include: coding and billing, reasonable and necessary services, and documentation. Therefore, the correct answer to which areas would be considered a risk for a physician practice is 4) All of the above. These areas are pivotal for compliance with health laws and regulations.
In the context of health records, when developing policies that balance treatment costs, patient quality of life, and privacy risks, three questions to address might include: How can patient quality of life be maximized while keeping treatments affordable? What measures can be taken to prevent moral hazard and adverse selection in health insurance markets? With the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare), how are privacy concerns being addressed, particularly with increased digital storage of health records?
Considering the Medicare and Medicaid systems alongside alternative healthcare models like HMOs is essential for understanding the full landscape of healthcare financing and the potential risks. Moreover, the shift from fee-for-service models to other methods of healthcare delivery has implications for how care is provided and funded.