Auditor Confidential: What I’d Tell a New Auditor if I Could Be Honest
Article Reference Code: NAMAS.08.14.2026
Written by: Laidy Martinez, CPC, CPB, CPMA, CEMC, CGSC, CGIC, CASCC
When people hear the word auditor, they often think of someone whose job is to find mistakes. I’ve heard comments like, “The auditor is looking for something wrong,” or “The auditor is trying to take points away.”
To be honest, there was a time when I thought that too.
Before becoming an auditor, I was a coder. Like many coders, receiving an audit could feel intimidating. You work hard, do your best to interpret the documentation, apply the guidelines, and meet productivity expectations. Then an audit comes back highlighting what you missed instead of what you got right.
Over time, my perspective changed.
As I moved into auditing, I realized that the purpose of an audit is much bigger than identifying errors. Yes, finding mistakes is part of the job. We would not be doing our job if we ignored them. But if our only goal is to point out what is wrong, we have missed the true purpose of auditing.
After spending years in coding, billing, education, leadership, and auditing, I have learned that the best auditors are not the ones who find the most errors. They are the ones who create understanding.
If I could sit down with a new auditor and have an honest conversation, the first thing I would tell them is this:
Auditing is not coding.
Yes, coding knowledge is critical. You cannot effectively audit if you do not understand coding guidelines, payer requirements, documentation standards, and regulatory expectations. However, being an auditor requires a different skill set.
A coder’s job is to assign the most accurate code based on the documentation available. An auditor’s job is to evaluate accuracy, compliance, and opportunities for improvement while remaining objective and consistent.
That difference matters.
The purpose of auditing should be threefold: Accuracy. Compliance. Education.
Accuracy ensures that the codes reported accurately reflect the services provided. Compliance ensures that we are following official guidelines, payer policies, and regulatory requirements. Education helps prevent the same issues from occurring again. Without education, an audit becomes little more than a scorecard.
As auditors, we should ask ourselves a simple question: Did we leave the person we audited with a better understanding than they had before?
Whether we are auditing a coder, provider, biller, or clinical staff member, there should be a learning opportunity. The goal is not to embarrass someone or prove that we know more than they do. The goal is to strengthen the overall quality of documentation, coding, and compliance within the organization.
Another lesson I would share is the importance of perspective.
Sometimes, auditors review a chart without understanding the environment in which the work was performed. They see a result, but not the process behind it.
What was the documentation workflow? Were there system limitations? Were there payer-specific requirements involved? Was the provider managing a medically complex patient? Was the coder working through conflicting documentation?
Understanding these factors does not change the guidelines, but it does provide context. And context matters.
The best auditors know how to balance compliance with practical realities. They understand that there is a difference between intentional noncompliance and an educational opportunity. They recognize that most professionals are trying to do the right thing and that many errors occur because of knowledge gaps, unclear documentation, or process issues.
That is why communication is one of the most underrated skills an auditor can develop.
You can be technically correct and still fail if your message is not received.
Providing feedback is not just about explaining what was wrong. It is about helping others understand the reasoning behind the finding and giving them the tools to improve moving forward.
When auditors focus on education, they build trust. When they build trust, people become more receptive to feedback. When people become more receptive to feedback, compliance improves. And when compliance improves, everyone benefits.
Over the years, I have learned that the most effective auditors are not necessarily the ones who find the most errors. They are the ones who create positive change. They help coders gain confidence. They help providers improve documentation. They help organizations reduce risk. They help teams understand the “why” behind the guidelines.
Most importantly, they create a culture where quality and compliance are viewed as shared responsibilities rather than punitive measures.
If I could leave every new auditor with one final piece of advice, it would be this: Never forget that behind every audit is a person.
A person who is learning. A person who is working under deadlines. A person who is trying to provide accurate information and quality patient care.
Lead with integrity. Be objective. Uphold the standards. But also remember the value of perspective and education.
Because at the end of the day, auditing is not about proving someone wrong. It is about helping people, processes, and organizations get it right.
Contact Laidy LinkedIn by Clicking her Name Below:
Laidy Martinez, CPC, CPB, CPMA, CEMC, CGSC, CGIC, CASCC
Laidy Diana Martinez, CPC, CPB, CPMA, CEMC, CGSC, CGIC, CASCC, is an experienced healthcare professional with extensive expertise in medical coding, billing, auditing, compliance, and provider education. Her diverse background spans multiple specialties, giving her a well-rounded understanding of the complexities involved in accurate coding, documentation, and reimbursement.
Throughout her career, Laidy has focused on helping healthcare organizations and professionals navigate coding guidelines, documentation requirements, and regulatory expectations while identifying opportunities to improve accuracy and reduce compliance risk. She brings a practical, education-focused approach to her work, translating complex coding concepts into information that coders, auditors, and providers can apply in their day-to-day roles.
Laidy is passionate about advancing education within the healthcare industry and empowering professionals to better understand not only how to apply coding and compliance guidance, but also the reasoning behind it.
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