Latest news with #CPT
Shafaq News
a day ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Turkiye escalates in Iraqi Kurdistan despite PKK's dissolution
Shafaq News/ Turkish military operations in Iraqi Kurdistan escalated in May, rising by 143% compared to April, according to data from the Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT). The surge in attacks came shortly after the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) announced its organizational dissolution on May 7, a step taken in response to a peace appeal issued in February by the group's imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan. CPT documented a total of 510 Turkish attacks throughout the month, all within Duhok Province. The breakdown includes 458 artillery bombardments, 36 airstrikes, and 16 helicopter assaults. Of these, 98% took place in al-Amediya district, with only 2% recorded in Zakho. May 7—the day the PKK formally announced its dissolution—also marked the highest number of Turkish attacks in a single day this year, with CPT recording 94 separate strikes within 24 hours. Compared with March, the volume of Turkish operations in May represented a 332% increase. The concentrated targeting of al-Amediya aligns with Turkiye's broader strategy to establish a security buffer along its southern border. As part of this effort, CPT reported the construction of a new Turkish military base beginning May 30 in the village of Galy-Balinda, located in the al-Amediya district. Since the start of 2025, more than 1,000 Turkish bombardments and helicopter strikes have been conducted across the Kurdistan Region. At least nine civilian casualties have been confirmed during this period, including three fatalities and six injuries.
Time Business News
4 days ago
- Business
- Time Business News
Why Medical Billing Is Essential for Healthcare Providers
In today's complex healthcare environment, medical billing is more than just a back-office function—it is a critical component that ensures the financial health of medical practices and the smooth delivery of patient care. From maintaining accurate patient records to processing insurance claims and collecting payments, medical billing bridges the gap between healthcare providers and insurance companies. Without it, practices would struggle to sustain operations, let alone thrive. Medical billing is the process of submitting and following up on claims with health insurance companies in order to receive payment for services rendered by a healthcare provider. The process involves translating healthcare services into universal medical codes, creating claims, verifying insurance coverage, tracking the claims, and ensuring providers are reimbursed accurately and promptly. This intricate process requires not only technical knowledge but also an understanding of insurance regulations, coding systems (like ICD-10 and CPT), and the nuances of reimbursement structures. For healthcare providers, outsourcing to professional billing services such as Q Medix can relieve them of administrative burdens and allow them to focus on what matters most—patient care. Medical billing plays a vital role in the success of any healthcare practice. Here's why it is essential: A well-managed billing system ensures timely reimbursements, which helps maintain a steady cash flow. Errors or delays in billing can result in claim denials or rejections, impacting revenue cycles. Accurate billing ensures providers are paid for their services without delays, keeping the practice financially viable. Medical billing professionals are trained to code procedures correctly and submit clean claims. Their attention to detail helps minimize claim rejections due to coding errors, insufficient documentation, or eligibility issues. Partnering with an experienced company like Q Medix can significantly reduce the number of denied or delayed claims. Patients today expect transparency and ease when it comes to healthcare billing. A streamlined billing system reduces confusion over charges and insurance coverage. Patients who receive clear, accurate bills are more likely to pay promptly and continue their relationship with the practice. This also reduces the administrative burden of handling disputes or explaining statements. Outsourcing medical billing services frees up in-house staff to focus on other important tasks like patient scheduling, follow-ups, and care coordination. It also allows the healthcare provider to concentrate fully on medical treatment instead of navigating the complex maze of insurance claims and payment processing. Healthcare regulations such as HIPAA and the Affordable Care Act require strict compliance when handling patient information and billing processes. Professional billing services like Q Medix ensure that all billing practices comply with the latest legal standards and protect patient data from breaches. As medical practices grow, so do their administrative requirements. A scalable billing system is necessary to handle the increased patient load and more complex services. By using advanced medical billing software and expertise, practices can handle more claims, expand services, and increase revenue without proportionally increasing administrative work. Different healthcare specialties have different billing needs, and dental practices are no exception. Dental credentialing services are an essential subset of the medical billing process. Credentialing involves verifying a dentist's qualifications, licenses, and affiliations to ensure they meet the standards required by insurance networks. Insurance Participation: Without proper credentialing, dental providers cannot join insurance networks, limiting patient access and revenue. Without proper credentialing, dental providers cannot join insurance networks, limiting patient access and revenue. Faster Reimbursements: Credentialed dentists experience fewer claim rejections and faster payouts. Credentialed dentists experience fewer claim rejections and faster payouts. Patient Trust: Patients feel more confident when visiting a provider who is recognized and verified by their insurance network. Patients feel more confident when visiting a provider who is recognized and verified by their insurance network. Regulatory Compliance: Credentialing helps ensure that providers meet federal and state regulations, safeguarding against legal issues. Using a provider like Q Medix for both medical billing and dental credentialing services ensures a streamlined and compliant process from the outset. With deep experience in healthcare administration, Q Medix helps providers become credentialed quickly and accurately, thereby accelerating their ability to see patients and bill for services. Q Medix is a trusted name in the field of medical billing and healthcare administrative services. Their tailored solutions help practices of all sizes improve billing efficiency, enhance cash flow, and reduce administrative burdens. Here's how Q Medix stands out: End-to-End Revenue Cycle Management: From claim submission to payment posting, Q Medix handles every step of the billing process. From claim submission to payment posting, Q Medix handles every step of the billing process. Customized Billing Solutions: Whether you're a solo practitioner, a dental office, or a multi-specialty clinic, Q Medix offers services tailored to your needs. Whether you're a solo practitioner, a dental office, or a multi-specialty clinic, Q Medix offers services tailored to your needs. Experienced Staff: Their certified medical billers and coders ensure high accuracy and compliance. Their certified medical billers and coders ensure high accuracy and compliance. Technology Integration: Q Medix uses advanced billing software that integrates with popular Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems. Q Medix uses advanced billing software that integrates with popular Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems. Focus on Compliance: With a deep understanding of healthcare laws and payer regulations, Q Medix ensures that your billing practices stay compliant and up-to-date. In the ever-evolving world of healthcare, medical billing is not a luxury—it's a necessity. It serves as the financial backbone of any healthcare practice, ensuring that providers get paid for their services accurately and promptly. From reducing administrative burdens to enhancing patient satisfaction, the benefits of professional billing services are numerous. With trusted partners like Q Medix, healthcare providers can streamline their operations, ensure compliance, and focus on what they do best—delivering high-quality care. Moreover, for dental practices, utilizing specialized services like dental credentialing services is essential for getting recognized by insurance carriers and accelerating practice growth. Healthcare providers who invest in professional billing and credentialing services set themselves up for long-term success in a highly competitive and regulated environment. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Time Business News
30-05-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
Optimizing Practice Revenue: The Role of Physician Medical Billing Services
In the intricate landscape of healthcare, physicians face the dual challenge of delivering exceptional patient care while managing the complexities of medical billing. Navigating insurance claims, coding regulations, and reimbursement processes can be overwhelming. This is where physician medical billing services come into play, offering specialized solutions to streamline billing operations and enhance financial performance. Physician medical billing services encompass the comprehensive management of billing processes for medical practices. These services handle tasks such as patient registration, insurance verification, coding, claim submission, payment posting, and follow-ups on denied or unpaid claims. By outsourcing these functions, physicians can focus more on patient care, leaving the administrative intricacies to experts. Improved Revenue Cycle Management: Professional billing services ensure accurate and timely claim submissions, reducing the likelihood of denials and accelerating reimbursements. This leads to a more efficient revenue cycle and improved cash flow for the practice. Expertise in Coding and Compliance: Staying updated with the ever-evolving medical coding standards and compliance regulations is crucial. Billing services employ certified coders who are well-versed in ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS codes, ensuring that claims are compliant and reducing the risk of audits and penalties. Reduced Administrative Burden: Managing billing in-house requires significant time and resources. Outsourcing these tasks allows medical staff to allocate more time to patient care and other critical functions, enhancing overall productivity. Access to Advanced Technology: Many billing services utilize state-of-the-art software that integrates with electronic health records (EHRs), providing real-time analytics and reporting. This technology aids in tracking financial performance and identifying areas for improvement. Scalability and Flexibility: As a practice grows, its billing needs become more complex. Billing services can scale their operations to accommodate increased patient volumes, ensuring consistent and efficient billing Talent When selecting a physician medical billing service, consider the following factors: Experience and Specialization : Choose a provider with a proven track record in handling billing for your specific medical specialty. : Choose a provider with a proven track record in handling billing for your specific medical specialty. Transparency and Reporting : Ensure the service offers detailed reports and maintains open communication regarding financial performance and claim Billers and Coders (MBC) : Ensure the service offers detailed reports and maintains open communication regarding financial performance and claim Billers and Coders (MBC) Compliance and Security : Verify that the provider adheres to HIPAA regulations and employs robust security measures to protect patient data. : Verify that the provider adheres to HIPAA regulations and employs robust security measures to protect patient data. Customer Support: Opt for a service that offers responsive and knowledgeable support to address any concerns promptly. Physician medical billing services play a pivotal role in enhancing the financial health of medical practices. By entrusting billing operations to specialized professionals, physicians can mitigate errors, ensure compliance, and focus on delivering quality patient care. In an era where efficiency and accuracy are paramount, leveraging the expertise of medical billing services is a strategic move toward sustainable practice growth. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Icecure Medical Ltd (ICCM) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strategic Advances and Market ...
Release Date: May 28, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Icecure Medical Ltd (NASDAQ:ICCM) has submitted a postmarket study plan to the FDA, which is a significant milestone towards obtaining marketing authorization for their cryoablation technology. The company experienced growth in sales in North America and Europe, with an 11% increase in North America and a 60% increase in Europe year-over-year. Icecure Medical Ltd (NASDAQ:ICCM) has strong support from its largest shareholder, who provided a $2 million unsecured loan, demonstrating confidence in the company's technology and business plan. The company is optimistic about potential FDA marketing authorization, which would allow them to commence commercial sales and access reimbursement under the CPT code. There is a high level of interest from breast surgeons and interventional radiologists in participating in the planned post-market study, indicating strong market interest in the technology. Revenue for the first quarter of 2025 was $725,000, a slight decrease from $743,000 in the same period in 2024. Gross profit and gross margin both declined, with gross profit at $218,000 compared to $269,000 the previous year, and gross margin dropping from 36% to 30%. Sales in Asia declined significantly, with a 60% decrease in Japan and a 40% decrease in other parts of Asia. The company reported a net loss of $3.59 million for the quarter, slightly less than the $3.61 million loss in the previous year. The FDA has not provided a specific timeline for the review of the postmarket study plan, creating uncertainty around the timing of potential marketing authorization. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Signs with ICCM. Q: Is the postmarket study still expected to involve a minimum of 400 patients over 25 sites, and when might the FDA respond to the submission? A: Yes, the postmarket study will require 400 patients across at least 25 sites. The FDA's top management will continue to review it, but no specific timeline for their response can be guaranteed. The package submitted was extensive, and ongoing discussions with the FDA are expected. - CEO Q: How long is the postmarket study expected to take once approved? A: The recruitment for the postmarket study is expected to be completed within three years, with 400 patients recruited during this period. - CEO Q: Can you provide more details on the potential for expanded reimbursement? A: With more records and claims on our specific CPT code for breast cancer, we believe we can increase reimbursement. After FDA marketing authorization, we plan to apply to the AMA to move from CPT 3 to CPT 1, which includes efficiency. Preparations for this process are underway. - CEO Q: What is the market opportunity for the ProSense system in Japan? A: Japan has over 100,000 new breast cancer cases annually, with nearly two-thirds being low-risk, early-stage cases. The market opportunity is significant, and we expect fewer limitations compared to the US market. - CEO Q: Can you provide a geographic breakdown of revenue growth this quarter? A: In North America, revenue increased by about 11% year-over-year, and in Europe, it increased by about 60%. In Asia, there was a decline, with Japan seeing a 60% decrease, but these numbers fluctuate due to the small base. - CFO Q: Are there any new tariffs affecting the ProSense system in the US market? A: Yes, there were initial tariffs imposed by the US administration, but there is currently a freeze on these taxes. We will need to see future decisions by the administration. - CFO Q: Will you expand your sales team following postmarket study approval? A: Yes, we plan to increase our sales team after receiving marketing authorization. We have a professional Vice President for North America, and we will build a team including sales reps, regional managers, and clinical application specialists. - CEO Q: What are your commercial strategies regarding pricing and sales? A: We anticipate a 60-40 split between placements and console sales. For placements, we require a commitment to a monthly number of probes over 2-3 years at a higher price. We will also sell consoles and single-use probes separately. - CEO For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Miami Herald
27-05-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
Ambience Healthcare's AI Platform Surpasses Clinician Performance by 27% in Medical Coding, Powered by New OpenAI Breakthrough
Ambience's latest AI model reduces coding errors and targets $266 billion in annual administrative waste SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / May 27, 2025 / Ambience Healthcare today announced a major advancement in ambient AI, unveiling the first AI model that outperforms board-certified physicians in ICD-10 coding accuracy. Trained using OpenAI's Reinforcement Fine-Tuning (RFT) technology, Ambience's AI platform achieved a 27% relative improvement over physician benchmarks-reducing coding errors by approximately one-quarter and offering a powerful tool to tackle the $266 billion in annual administrative waste, including $19 billion in diagnosis coding & documentation substantiation errors. This new model identifies precise ICD-10 codes based on patient encounters, which feed into Ambience's 'coding-aware' scribe. By leveraging these codes first, the scribe generates a fully informed note-allowing clinicians to review and confirm accurate documentation and coding in real time. "Think of this technology as a scribe that fluently speaks both clinical language and the intricate healthcare billing rulebook from day one," said William H. Morris, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer of Ambience Healthcare. "Our platform helps clinicians finish their notes faster and ensures that revenue cycle teams receive cleaner, more accurate, and audit-ready charts." Ambience is live across inpatient, outpatient, and emergency settings at health systems throughout the United States, supporting over 100 medical specialties with real-time, compliant documentation. Clinicians at more than 40 organizations including UCSF Health, St. Luke's Health System, Houston Methodist, John Muir Health, and Memorial Hermann Health System leverage Ambience before, during, and after patient encounters to generate compliant documentation, alleviate burnout, and enhance care quality. How Ambience's "Coding-Aware" AI Scribe WorksAmbience Healthcare's platform streamlines the clinical documentation and coding process: Clinicians simply tap 'Record' on their device, conduct patient visits as usual, and then review a draft note, complete with suggested ICD-10 and CPT codes;Ambience integrates natively with major EHRs-including Epic, Oracle Cerner, and athenahealth-ensuring that after clinicians review and sign off, the complete and coded documentation is automatically filed back into the patient's record;By addressing coding at the point of care, Ambience eliminates downstream compliance issues and the time-consuming back-and-forth queries between clinicians and coding/billing departments. "We built for compliance at the core of our platform because health systems need assurance that AI technology in the workflow can stand up to audits, protect reimbursement, and support clinical documentation integrity," said Michael Ng, CEO and Co-Founder of Ambience Healthcare. "The stakes of getting this wrong are too high for compliance to be an afterthought." Validated Results with RFT TechnologyTo validate its AI's mastery of the "coding rulebook," Ambience assembled a "gold-panel" test dataset of complex clinical cases spanning multiple medical specialties. Each encounter was meticulously labeled by a consensus of four or more expert clinicians to establish a high-quality ground truth. "Reinforcement Fine-Tuning lets developers align powerful AI models with the precision and robustness that high-stakes domains like healthcare demand," said Shyamal Anadkat, Head of Startup Solutions at OpenAI. "Ambience's results show how RFT can lift the performance of AI systems in safety-critical environments". The Ambience model was benchmarked against 18 experienced, board-certified physicians on ICD-10 coding accuracy. The results were significant: Ambience's AI demonstrated a 27% relative improvement in coding performance compared to the expert physician baseline, suggesting the model could help eliminate up to one quarter of the coding errors even the most seasoned clinicians make. About Ambience HealthcareAmbience Healthcare is the leading AI platform for clinical documentation, CDI, and coding-built to ensure compliance, eliminate administrative burden, and improve care delivery. Trusted by top health systems across North America, Ambience's platform is live across outpatient, emergency, and inpatient settings, supporting more than 100 specialties with real-time, coding-aware documentation. The platform integrates directly with Epic, Oracle Cerner, athenahealth, and other major EHRs. Founded in 2020 by Mike Ng and Nikhil Buduma, Ambience is headquartered in San Francisco and backed by Andreessen Horowitz, OpenAI Startup Fund, Kleiner Perkins, and other leading investors. Media ContactKarina StabileAria Marketing for Ambience Healthcarekstabile@ SOURCE: Ambience
