NCCI edits primarily focus on preventing which of the following?

NCCI edits, or National Correct Coding Initiative edits, are designed to prevent improper coding and payment discrepancies in healthcare billing. The primary aim of NCCI is to ensure that services billed to Medicare are appropriately coded and that the coding accurately reflects the services rendered. This initiative helps in identifying potentially incorrect combinations of codes that may suggest billing for services not performed or billing that violates correct coding principles.

The focus on preventing improper coding ensures that healthcare providers adhere to standardized coding practices, which ultimately helps to reduce claim denials, fraud, and abuse within the billing system. By paying attention to how codes interact with one another and ensuring that the claims are submitted transparently and accurately, the NCCI helps maintain the integrity of the healthcare system.

The other options do not encapsulate the central purpose of the NCCI. While duplicate billing, misrepresentation of services, and extended service duration are important considerations in medical billing and coding, they are not the primary focus of the NCCI, which is centered specifically on coding compliance and payment accuracy.