SOMERSET, N.J. — In the wake of the devastating South Asian earthquake, a massive relief effort is currently underway to speed life-saving relief to families affected by the region’s most destructive earthquake in nearly a century.

The 7.6-magnitude earthquake has resulted in the death of at least 30,000 people in Pakistan, with nearly 600 deaths in India. According to the United Nations, more than 2.5 million people were left homeless after Saturday’s disaster and death tolls are expected to rise as rescue workers reach severely affected areas.

Immediate relief is needed for families who have lost homes and loved ones and continued support will be required in the coming weeks to help restore power and services as well as rebuild homes and shattered lives. MTBC’s board of directors has made a $10,000 contribution to the relief efforts.

MTBC has responded to this disaster by rushing urgently needed relief to the victims. David Rosenblum, President of MTBC, explained, “MTBC has prepared a convoy to travel to the affected areas with supplies of food, tents, mattresses, and medicine, and we encourage anyone who can help to do so.”

More help is needed as roads begin to open, enabling supplies to reach remote villages. If you would like to help in the relief effort, we invite you to direct your browsers to

MTBC currently offers 4% medical billing, free electronic medical records software, online access to billing and scheduling information, as well as real-time eligibility verification. With practice management tools, financial reporting capabilities, online scheduling and office forms, MTBC’s services are unmatched in the industry. MTBC’s free EMR is available for download from www.MTBC.com. MTBC is currently preparing its public offering.

mIn an age when people frequently use their computers to review bank statements and pay car insurance and utility bills, it may seem like it’s only a matter of time before such technological capabilities are fully realized within health care. Yet with on-line payment solutions running about $10,000, key concerns for providers considering adopting the technology are whether widespread use truly will occur and if benefits will be sufficient to justify cost.

Munson Healthcare, a six-hospital system located in northern Michigan, had the same concerns before introducing its system for providing on-line access to patient billing information in August 2001. To help minimize risk, the provider based its systems selection on market research and paid close attention to functionality and design. Since introducing a combined on-line and enhanced paper billing system, the provider has seen significant increases in cash flow and a 50 percent reduction in patient phone inquiries for billing information.

Program Development

Munson’s on-line patient billing program was conceived during general research into ways the provider could enhance technology use. Amid broad discussions of on-line capabilities, such as class registration and preregistration for appointments, focus groups gave very favorable responses to the idea of introducing various billing applications. Specifically, participants requested technology that would allow patients to view updated account information check on the status of insurance or a claim, and access information to better understand the healthcare billing process.

For additional insight into needs, Munson conducted two more focus groups. The groups reviewed the health system’s ideas for the content, format, and functionality of the on-line statement. Many respondents suggested keeping the design simple and the information consolidated and organized. At the same time, the statement needed to have a great deal of content, including information on insurance appeals.

Munson considered these perspectives when redesigning its billing statement. Updates included placing a clear division between payment activity and amounts pending with insurers. Also, a snap shot summary was included before account information, and a consistent format was used on all accounts for payment activity and indication of balance due.

To develop the appropriate technology for use with the statements, the health system decided to use an outside firm. When discussing priorities with the firm, Munson requested an application that would be customizable, would be integrated with its existing systems, and could be deployed without having to reengineer legacy and web systems. Other key areas of interest were systems’ functionality and ease of use for patients. Munson also needed to ensure compliance with HIPAA. The billing system selected provided appropriate data security with intrusion-detection technology and firewalls to keep users out of unauthorized areas. To further maintain the privacy of patients’ medical histories, Munson ensured clinical information would be absent from the on-line billing statement.

Munson’s On-Line Patient Billing System

Total time for the system’s development from focus group research to launch was about six months. The system selected includes a variety of features.

E-mail notification. Munson sends patients e-mail messages whenever their account experiences activity. For example, patients are alerted when an insurance payment has been made, a new balance is due, or a charge for a new service has been received. The notice also includes a link to Munson’s web site, providing patients with convenient access to their account.

Comprehensive account information. Munson’s on-line patient billing system contains clear, comprehensive information for the patient. An account summary shows all charges, insurance payments, balances, and amounts the patient owes. Information is updated daily, allowing patients to identify quickly when an insurance claim has been paid or when their payment has been received. Also, the on-line account has room for customized marketing messages from the health system, such as announcements for wellness classes.

Payment options. Patients can make credit-card payments to the account electronically. They also can use the site to print a payment stub to attach to payments sent by mail.

Interactivity. Patients can communicate with billing staff using the Internet. Munson’s system allows patients to update their insurance information on-line. (Because its legacy system is not able to display insurance information on paper statements, this feature has been particularly useful.) Also, patients can seek guidance from Munson’s customer-service department through e-mail.

Bill-tracking assistance. Because paperwork is generated by multiple providers and payers, patients often have difficulty tracking medical bills and payments. To assist patients, Munson’s web site devotes a section to ways patients can organize medical bills. The section includes a spreadsheet that patients can download to track how much a particular service costs, how much the insurance company paid, and how much the patient must pay Also featured are Munson’s billing policies and a glossary of frequently used terms.

In a group practice, the year 2000 date problem can affect accounting, payment, and billing systems, as well as medical equipment. With the turn of the century drawing closer, group practices should ensure that all the electronic systems that affect their businesses will be year 2000 compliant. Group practices should develop a plan to address all of the possible year 2000 issues that can affect their electronic systems. A three-step procedure that will help group practices implement such a plan comprises creating an inventory of all systems that could be affected, investigating each system’s compliance, and getting written assurance of year 2000 compliance from all relevant third parties.

While many people are planning their New Year s Eve celebration to welcome the new century, group practices should be planning seriously for the changes that may affect their practices as of January 1, 2000. The new millennium will have a far-reaching effect on software programs that are not year 2000 compliant. In a group practice, the year 2000 computer problem can affect not only accounting, payment, and billing systems, but also medical equipment.

Group practices should develop a plan to address all of the possible ways the year 2000 can affect their systems. A three-step procedure by which group practices can implement such a plan comprises creating an inventory of all electronic systems that could be affected, investigating the year 2000 compliance of each system, and getting written assurance of year 2000 compliance from all relevant third parties.

Creating an inventory of all electronic systems that could be affected. The inventory should include medical equipment and systems that perform billing and accounting, interface with third-party systems (eg, electronic claims receipt confirmation and electronic funds deposit and transfer), and control the physical plant (eg, telephone, elevator, and security alarms).

Investigating the year 2000 compliance of each system. Many systems already are year 2000 compliant, and vendors should verify such compliance in writing. Each vendor also should be able to identify those of its systems that are not compliant. For systems that are not compliant, the practice should determine the vendor’s plans to make them compliant. Specifically, the practice should determine whether the vendor will assume full responsibility for bringing the systems into compliance, and the timeline for doing so, or the group will have to spend its own funds to have an existing system made compliant or purchase a new system. Because time is short, these determinations need to be made immediately.

If new software is to be written and installed, adequate time should be allowed to evaluate and test the systems. To accomplish this goal, group practices should require their system vendors to commit to resolution of the problem well before the end of 1999, with penalties for noncompliance negotiated in advance. If, at the end of 1999, a group practice is still operating without a system that works, there may be remedies in its existing agreements that can compel the vendor to make the system compliant or pay damages. Group practice administrators should review each agreement for systems identified in the inventory process as needing attention for general representations and warranties made by vendors concerning their performance, particularly with regard to year 2000 compliance. Practices should document all expenses incurred for compliance-related systems work. Such documentation will be critical to proving the group practice’s actual damages if a lawsuit ensues.

When considering the purchase of new systems, the practice should ensure that the new system is, in fact, compliant by including year 2000 certification in the vendor’s contract. This certification is a representation and warranty that the system will comply with year 2000 date requirements. Some sample wording for contracts is included in the sidebar “Sample Contract Clauses to Ensure Year 2000 Compliance.”

Getting written assurance of year 2000 date compliance from all relevant third parties. The group practice should contact all third parties with which it does business and whose own systems compliance would have a significant impact on the practice. Such third parties include private payers, Medicaid agencies, and financial institutions.

Contracts with payers should include language stipulating that payments will not be delayed because of year 2000 systems problems. The contracts also should ensure that the group’s physicians will not be dropped from the list of approved providers due to a year 2000 glitch on the part of the payer.

Some state Medicaid agencies may not be as far along in solving the year 2000 date problem as the Medicare program is because of the expense of reprogramming older software. Group practices should investigate the status of such compliance in their state. Often Medicaid has contracted with third parties to perform claims processing, eligibility, and other functions. In such instances, these companies should have a compliance plan in place and should be able to assure practices in writing that their transactions with Medicaid will be unaffected by the year 2000 date change.

Akos Technologies, LLC and Misys Healthcare Systems, a market leader in healthcare IT, today announced a new relationship in North Florida that will enable more physician practices to utilize electronic medical records (EMR). Akos Technologies, LLC has plans to increase staff to support the expected growth.

Through the collaboration, Akos Technologies, LLC — a leading provider in Technology Managed services — is adding Misys Healthcare Systems’ EMR and practice management solutions to the suite it offers to local businesses. In addition to the product, Akos Technologies, LLC will provide first- and second-level support for the Misys(TM) applications, as well as full support for the Voice and Data Network.

“As we continue to meet the service requirements of our clients, this expansion of our relationship with Misys will keep Akos Technologies, LLC on the leading edge of delivering timely, state-of-the-art solutions to the medical community,” said Ray Smithers, CEO of Akos Technologies. “Misys EMR® and paperless medical billing and practice management is a natural extension of our services. We look forward to delivering a full service support solution to the medical community.”

“The information technology capabilities required to adopt, implement and maintain an EMR solution can sometimes be a barrier for smaller medical practices,” said Scott Sanner, vice president of sales and implementation for Misys Healthcare Systems. “Through our relationship with Akos Technologies, LLC, we know they not only have the infrastructure and experience to service this market, but they understand Misys products. We’re excited to work with them as they take Misys EMR out to their practices.”

Misys EMR is a flexible EMR system that expedites record keeping processes and enables physicians to retrieve and input patient data anywhere, anytime, from a PC or wireless device. The modularly designed product — which is part of the Misys Optimum(TM) family of solutions — provides electronic capabilities for routine tasks related to clinical data (such as transcription, imaging, orders management, messaging and prescription writing), as well as a wireless point-of-care solution for physicians in the examination room.

About Akos Technologies, LLC

Akos Technologies, with offices in Jacksonville and Tampa Fla., was formed in 2003 as a technology consulting company for the information technology industry. In January 2005, Akos began providing managed services to the small to medium size marketplace.

Akos provides full-service IT support through remote monitoring and management of client applications, workstations, servers, switches, firewalls, networks, and databases. With its state-of-the-art monitoring technology, Akos proactively maintain computer networks, servers, and desktops in a non-intrusive manner. This enables the company to resolve most issues before its clients realize there is a problem AND allows it to deliver services in a budgetable, fixed cost format. Akos’ enterprise level 24/7 Help Desk completes a TOTAL end-to-end IT solution for any size company.

Etransmedia Technology, Inc. and Misys Healthcare Systems, a market leader in healthcare IT, today announced a relationship that enables more physician practices to utilize electronic medical records (EMR). Etransmedia is expanding its organization and product portfolio to support the expected growth.

Through the collaboration, Etransmedia — a leading provider of Revenue Cycle Management and Medical Records Management — is adding Misys Healthcare Systems’ EMR and practice management solutions to the suite it offers to healthcare practices. In addition to the products, Etransmedia will provide front-level support and training for the application, as well as a variety of physician-specific technical support and application enhancement services.

“As we continue to meet the service requirements of our clients, this expansion of our relationship with Misys will continue to keep Etransmedia on the leading edge of delivering timely, state-of-the-art solutions to the medical community,” said Vikram Agrawal, CEO of Etransmedia. “Misys EMR® and paperless medical billing and practice management are natural extensions of our current services; we are already the leader in integrating with a variety of EMR and practice management systems. This partnership also furthers our application software, implementation and support expertise.”

“The information technology capabilities required to adopt, implement and maintain an EMR solution can sometimes be a barrier for smaller medical practices,” said Scott Sanner, vice president of sales and implementation for Misys Healthcare Systems. “Through our relationship with Etransmedia, we know they not only have the infrastructure and experience to service this market, but they understand Misys products. We’re excited to work with them as they take Misys EMR out to their practices.”

Misys EMR is a flexible EMR system that expedites record keeping processes and enables physicians to retrieve and input patient data anywhere, anytime, from a PC or wireless device. The modularly designed product — which is part of the Misys Optimum(TM) family of solutions — provides electronic capabilities for routine tasks related to clinical data (such as transcription, imaging, orders management, messaging and prescription writing), as well as a wireless point-of-care solution for physicians in the examination room.

SAN DIEGO — NSI Software, Inc. (NSI(R)), the maker of Double-Take(R), today announced that Jefferson City Medical Group has chosen Double-Take to protect its electronic medical records system, adding secure backup and recovery capabilities to its server environment in the event of a disaster.

“Due to the strict HIPAA regulations concerning data backup and disaster recovery of patient health information, healthcare providers and other HIPAA covered entities are looking for reliable, cost effective solutions that help them comply with a myriad of requirements,” said Bob Roudebush , director of solutions engineering at NSI Software. “As such, we have seen an increasing demand for real-time replication and availability solutions. Double-Take helps these organizations address the confidentiality, integrity and availability requirements of electronic patient information by replicating critical data in real-time and making sure that patient systems remain available during a disaster or system failure.”

Jefferson City Medical Group (JCMG) is an independent multi-specialty healthcare group that is committed to providing the very best in compassionate and comprehensive healthcare to its patients. With 65 physicians and nurse practitioners and more than 500 employees at its six locations, the group provides a one-stop shop for a variety of patients’ healthcare requirements.

With the need to have constant access to patient records, paired with concern over recent natural disasters, the group decided to look at backup and recovery options for its electronic medical records system. The staff required a cost-effective, reliable solution that would successfully protect important patient data in the event of a computer failure or natural disaster. JCMG’s consulting group, Integrated Solutions Group, suggested they review NSI Software’s Double-Take solution.

“If the billing or accounting systems fail for a period of time, we can still see our patients,” said Phil Hartman, director of information services at JCMG. “But our medical records system is the core of serving our patients and that cannot be compromised. We looked at a number of storage solutions, such as disk warehouses and server farms, but they did not provide the availability and cost-effectiveness that comes with Double-Take.”

Impressed with Double-Take’s ease of use and compatibility with a Microsoft(R) Windows(R) environment, JCMG installed the software onto its electronic medical records system. In accordance with their documented disaster recovery and contingency plans, the staff simulated the failure of a production system and attempted to recover the data and make the system available from their remote location in Columbia, Mo.

“Double-Take far exceeded our expectations,” said Hartman. “We didn’t lose any information, which gave us a great sense of validation and security. Double-Take is a valuable investment and gives us a high comfort level that our patients’ records are always getting backed up.”

Double-Take in the Healthcare Industry

NSI Software’s Double-Take provides disaster recovery, backup and emergency mode operations to numerous healthcare organizations, helping them comply with Health Information Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements. As an integral part to these organizations’ data and systems contingency plans, Double-Take ensures that patient data is always available in accordance with their privacy and security standards. In addition, the continuous protection and near-immediate failover of Double-Take ensure that patient information systems will be protected and resilient in the event of a disaster.

Interfaceable with most practice management or billing systems, Sevocity is designed as an Internet-based electronic charting solution for small- to medium-size medical practices. Built to help physicians meet HIPAA guidelines, it stores chart and encounter notes as well as a chart summary consisting of a patient’s current list of problems, medications and allergies. Since it creates patient records in real time, chart summaries and encounter notes are available as soon as doctors or clinical staff create them. Once created, charts are encrypted and stored in a managed data center. Sevocity’s ASP model allows doctors to access patient records from anywhere, anytime. Conceptual Mindworks Inc., San Antonio, Texas

SOMERSET, N.J. — MTBC is proud to announce that Dr. Adarsh K. Gupta, a renowned expert in electronic medical records (EMR), frequent lecturer on technology in medicine, and practicing physician, has joined MTBC’s EMR development team. Dr. Gupta will help guide the future direction, functionality, and ease of use of MTBC’s free EMR.

Dr. Gupta’s areas of expertise include medical informatics, handheld use in medical education, web-based instruction, technology in medicine, and EMR implementation. His thorough analysis of EMR software currently available in the marketplace has enabled him to determine the strengths and weaknesses of many EMRs. With Dr. Gupta’s input, MTBC’s EMR will help physicians avoid medical errors and increase the profitability of their practices.

“Welcoming Dr. Gupta is just another step in the furtherance of our commitment to provide the most advanced and efficient technology solutions to our clients,” said MTBC president David Rosenblum. “Dr. Gupta’s expertise will enable us to take an already great product to the next level.”

MTBC’s EMR includes modules for automated billing, scheduling, claims tracking, document management, fax functionality, prescription management, template modules, and electronic encounter documentation, with complete HL7 (Health Level 7 Security) compatibility.

Version 2.0 of MTBC’s EMR, scheduled for release in early September, will incorporate many of Dr. Gupta’s recommendations.

ATLANTA — Ingenious Med, a leader in software for improving inpatient care quality and charge capture collection, announces a strategic alliance with Praxis Medical Management of San Antonio, Texas, which provides billing services for medical practices using the GE Centricity software. The integration of Ingenious Med’s hand-held charge capture software with the Praxis medical billing service decreases the number of rejected claims from coding issues, streamlines compliance with government regulations regarding appropriate charges, and speeds payment to the doctors and medical practice group.

“Physicians and the medical practice benefit from Ingenious Med’s IMBILLS, indicating compliance with the proper code at time of entry,” said Fred R. Mills, president of Praxis Medical Management. “By reducing rejections, charge capture at bedside can directly improve both physician compensation and the financial health of provider organizations.” Mr. Mills previously was CEO of three health care systems, including Baptist Health System, San Antonio and Missouri Baptist Medical Center, St. Louis.

“Physicians and medical practices, clients of Praxis Medical Management, can use Ingenious Med’s IMBILLS to capture billing, care, and outcome information quickly at the bedside,” said Dr. Steven T. Liu, CEO and founder of Ingenious Med. “This bedside capture generates the charge, checks for correct coding and Local Medical Review Policies (LMRPs), flags any issue, speeds collection, and enables review.”

IMBILLS features electronic charge capture at bedside, utilizing electronic rounding sheets and eliminating the need to record charges on cards during rounds, then later entering the data, which can result in lost charges. Integration with Praxis medical billing significantly reduces the time lag in sending and collecting charges. Quicker capture and coding results in faster payment to the medical provider, practice group and physician. Physicians receive a rapid return on investment and eliminate administrative redundancies by implementing IMBILLS to link the clinical care side with the billing and administrative systems side of the practice.

About Ingenious Med, Inc.

Ingenious Med offers next-generation, healthcare industry software, “designed by physicians for physicians.” For years, the firm’s large, national customer base has relied upon this leading solution. At Ingenious Med, clinicians and healthcare IT experts deliver software that works well in the crucible of a busy clinical practice. Practicing physicians establish the interface and process foundations for clinical software development. The result is creation - and exacting refinement - of ergonomic, intuitive, and practical applications for the busy physician.

Current solutions for medical practices include wireless PC, handheld, and server-based software that serve physicians as they make hospital rounds, allowing them to easily gather information and capture charges at the patient’s bedside. Captured data synchronizes with Ingenious Med’s, Web-based ASP solution, providing easily accessible and secure information to the entire practice. Internet connectivity and Ingenious Med’s charge capture applications simplify the practice of medicine for both clinicians and administrators.

SOMERSET, N.J. — MTBC today announced the hiring of industry veteran Joseph Huver, Jr. as its new Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Mr. Huver has a proven record of accomplishment in the healthcare services industry and is spearheading the delivery of MTBC’s medical billing and EMR solutions to office-based primary care and specialty physician practices.

His previous work at WebMD Business Services (now Emdeon Corporation) and Aetna US Healthcare allowed him to work closely with providers and software vendors to improve business critical services. He focused on applying the latest technologies in order to improve operations within office-based practices.

“I was drawn to MTBC by the dynamic growth the company has seen in the last few years,” said Mr. Huver. “The comprehensive packages offered by MTBC are at the forefront of technology, and they provide solutions that save physicians time and money. I am here to deliver the message that we are bringing together the provider and the payor in exciting and innovative ways.”

“Mr. Huver’s 25 years of experience in the healthcare and information technology industries has garnered him the depth of knowledge it takes to deliver MTBC’s products to our target audience,” said David Rosenblum, President of MTBC. “We are very excited to have him on board.”

Loraine Goetsch, Vice President of Operations, said, “We expect Joe to help accelerate the momentum we have generated by helping us strengthen our brand recognition and deploy our solutions nationally.”

About MTBC

MTBC currently offers 4% medical billing, free electronic medical records software, online access to billing and scheduling information, as well as real-time eligibility verification. With practice management tools, financial reporting capabilities, online scheduling and office forms, MTBC’s services are unmatched in the industry. MTBC’s free EMR is available for download from www.MTBC.com. MTBC is currently preparing its public offering.

Safe Harbor and Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions of MTBC (the Company) that involve risks and uncertainties.