What does Utilization Review focus on?

Utilization Review primarily focuses on assessing the quality of care provided to patients in relation to the costs associated with that care. This process involves evaluating various factors, including whether the healthcare services offered are medically necessary, appropriate, and delivered with optimal efficiency.

The goal of Utilization Review is to ensure that patients receive the right care at the right time while also examining whether the resources used align with the standards of care and cost-effectiveness within the healthcare system. This evaluation can lead to improved patient outcomes and reduced unnecessary healthcare spending.

The other options, while important aspects of healthcare management, do not accurately encompass the primary focus of Utilization Review. For instance, financial audits deal with compliance and accuracy in financial reporting, patient satisfaction surveys gather feedback on patients’ personal experiences, and billing accuracy assessments ensure that monetary transactions correctly reflect the services provided. Each of these plays a role in the broader healthcare landscape, but they do not capture the core objective of Utilization Review as it specifically pertains to care quality and cost management.