Which of the following controls improper coding in health care claims?

The answer B, NCCI (National Correct Coding Initiative), is the correct choice because it specifically aims to prevent improper coding of healthcare claims. NCCI was established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and consists of a series of coding policies that evaluate procedure codes and ensure appropriate coding combinations. This is vital in avoiding billing errors that can lead to claim denials or potential fraud.

NCCI uses a set of coding edits that identify pairs of service codes that should not be reported together under specific circumstances, thereby encouraging proper coding practices. By implementing these coding guidelines, healthcare providers can minimize the risk of submitting incorrect claims, which ensures compliance with coding standards and helps maintain the integrity of the billing process.

In contrast, utilization review primarily focuses on assessing the necessity and appropriateness of services provided to ensure that they are medically necessary. Claims auditing involves reviewing claims after they have been submitted, which can identify improper coding but does not actively prevent it at the time of coding. Patient access management is concerned with the front-end processes of patient registration and insurance verification, thus not directly addressing coding issues.