Final answer:
The primary goal of internal auditing programs for billing and coding is to confirm accuracy, ensure compliance, and maintain completeness, thereby enhancing revenue cycle management and mitigating financial risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Principal Goal of Internal Auditing Programs for Billing and Coding
The principal goal of internal auditing programs for billing and coding is to ensure accuracy, compliance, and completeness in the healthcare billing and coding processes. An effective internal audit program scrutinizes the organization's performance against industry standards, which in turn helps in identifying any discrepancies, errors, or fraudulent activities. By doing this, the program minimizes financial risks, improves operational efficiency, and ensures that the organization abides by relevant laws and regulations such as those imposed by HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). Regular internal audits lead to improved revenue cycle management, which is crucial for the financial health of healthcare facilities.