What is a potential outcome if NCCI edits are not followed?

Not adhering to National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits can lead to inaccurate healthcare revenue reporting. NCCI edits are designed to promote correct coding methodologies and prevent improper billing for procedures or services that should not be billed together. If these edits are overlooked, it can result in claims being submitted that do not accurately reflect the services performed, leading to discrepancies in revenue reporting. This can affect the financial health of healthcare providers, as they might receive denied claims or underpayments due to improper coding practices, ultimately skewing their financial records.

In contrast, the other choices present outcomes that are generally not associated with failing to follow NCCI edits; increased patient inquiries, decreased coding efficiency, and faster claim processing times do not directly correlate with the implications of improper coding. NCCI edits are specifically aimed at ensuring accurate and compliant billing, which, when neglected, primarily impacts the integrity of reported revenue.