What is the role of the Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) in healthcare?

The role of the Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) in healthcare is specifically focused on auditing Medicare claims. RACs are private organizations contracted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to identify improper payments made by Medicare. This includes both overpayments and underpayments, ensuring that providers are reimbursed appropriately in alignment with applicable laws and policies.

The RAC program primarily aims to reduce fraud, waste, and abuse in the Medicare program and to ensure that payments are correct based on the coding and documentation provided by healthcare providers. By auditing claims, RACs help maintain the financial integrity of the Medicare system and also assist providers in complying with Medicare regulations, ultimately improving the quality of care delivered.

The other options presented do not accurately reflect the RAC's function. For example, verifying public health records, assessing patient satisfaction, and coordinating healthcare services are outside the scope of what RACs do. Each of these roles is covered by different entities or programs within the healthcare system, emphasizing the specialized focus of RACs on the audit of Medicare claims.