Which of the following is NOT an element of a registration audit?

A registration audit primarily focuses on the essential information needed to ensure that patient data is accurately captured at the time of registration. This typically includes elements like patient demographics, which provide crucial details about the patient, and insurance verification, which confirms the patient's coverage and benefits, allowing the practice to understand how claims will be processed. Copays collected during registration also fall within the scope of an audit as they verify that the practice is collecting the necessary payments as established by the patient's insurance policy.

Payment plans, however, are not considered a primary component of a registration audit. They are generally established for the payment of services rendered after discharge or treatment, rather than during the initial patient registration process. Therefore, while payment plans are important in the overall financial operation of a practice, they do not relate to the immediate verification and collection of registration information, making them the element that is not typically included in a registration audit.