What must auditors review if the provider uses the 1997 documentation guidelines?

When reviewing a provider's documentation under the 1997 guidelines, auditors should focus on the structured components that define the level of service billed. Specifically, the single organ system exam and multisystem exam documentation are crucial because the 1997 guidelines detail the requirements for the physical examination component of evaluation and management services.

These guidelines stipulate the extent of examination needed based on the complexity of the visit, and whether more than one body system is evaluated during the encounter. By reviewing these aspects, auditors can ensure that the documentation accurately reflects the level of service billed—confirming that appropriate examination elements are documented in accordance with regulatory standards. This helps avert undercoding or overcoding, which can lead to compliance issues or financial discrepancies.

In contrast, while other options may pertain to patient management or coding, they do not specifically align with the documentation requirements set forth by the 1997 guidelines, thereby reinforcing the focus on the types of examinations performed.