Dr. Tarig Kanani Elsheikh

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March 2, 2025

Introduction Profile

Dr. Tarig Kanani Elsheikh is a seasoned healthcare professional and Revenue Cycle Consultant with over two decades of experience in healthcare management, revenue cycle optimization, and operational excellence. Holding an MBBS from the University of Athens and advanced postgraduate qualifications in public health and healthcare management from the University of York, Dr. Elsheikh has demonstrated expertise in leading revenue growth, establishing RCM departments, and driving efficiency across healthcare organizations. Fluent in Arabic, English, and Greek, he has contributed significantly to healthcare systems in Saudi Arabia, Greece, and the UAE, aligning operations with global best practices.

Could you share some of the most rewarding milestones in your career as a healthcare consultant, particularly your work in establishing RCM departments?

A. Starting mid-nineties with Mednet international in Athens, Greece, with a remarkable contribution in establishing the international network department, providing our insured members a 24/7 international free access with a world-wide contracted network.

B. Working with AXA PPP Europe on Air-Ambulance and world-wide patients’ curtailment section.
C. Moving to Nextcare main office in Dubai, where i had the opportunity to be a part of a team that serviced the most prestigious and elite groups in the UAE, like the Ministry of Presential Affers, Dubai Holding, also being part of establishing and operating new subsidiaries in MENA.

D. Being member of NMC – which changed later to SMCG- RCM team, operating from Assalamah Hospital – Alkhobar
E. Joining MOH Eastern Health Cluster as RCM consultant, for the last three years, in Revenue Department
What strategies or technologies do you recommend for healthcare providers aiming to improve revenue cycle efficiency?

Optimize Patient Intake and Scheduling: Implement advanced electronic health record (EHR) systems to automate patient information collection and verification, reducing errors and enhancing data accuracy.
Enhance Insurance Verification and Eligibility: Utilize automated insurance verification tools to confirm patient coverage before services are rendered, minimizing claim denials and payment delays.
Streamline the Claims Process: Adopt coding software that integrates with billing systems to ensure accurate claims submission. Regular staff training on current coding practices is essential to reduce errors.
Implement Tracking Systems for Claims: Use tracking systems to monitor claim statuses, allowing for quick identification and rectification of errors, which can expedite payment processes.
Focus on Denial Management: Establish a structured approach for managing denied claims by reworking them promptly with corrected information to ensure timely resubmission.
Invest in Staff Training and Engagement: Foster a culture of continuous improvement among staff through regular training sessions, ensuring they are well-versed in best practices for revenue cycle management.
Utilize Data Analytics: Leverage data analytics tools to identify trends in billing issues or claim denials, enabling proactive adjustments to improve overall efficiency.
Enhance Communication with Patients: Clearly communicate financial responsibilities and insurance coverage details during patient registration to minimize confusion and payment delays.
Build Strong Relationships with Insurers: Maintain proactive communication with insurance providers to stay updated on policy changes, which can facilitate smoother claims processing.
Regularly Audit Processes: Conduct regular audits of revenue cycle processes to identify bottlenecks or inefficiencies that need addressing, ensuring continuous optimization of the revenue cycle management system.

How has the introduction of the NPHIES system influenced the operational efficiency of insurance companies and clinics in Saudi Arabia? What further improvements do you foresee?
The introduction of the National Health Insurance Information and Enrollment System (NPHIES) in Saudi Arabia has had a significant impact on the operational efficiency of insurance companies and clinics in the country. The system has streamlined the process of enrollment, claims processing, and data management for both insurance providers and healthcare facilities, leading to improved efficiency and accuracy in their operations.
Benefits of NPHIES for Insurance Companies and Clinics:
Faster Claims Processing: With a centralized system for submitting and processing claims, insurance companies can expedite the reimbursement process for healthcare providers, leading to quicker payments and reduced administrative burden.
Improved Data Accuracy: By maintaining a centralized database of patient information, treatment records, and insurance coverage details, the NPHIES system helps in reducing errors and ensuring the accuracy of data shared between insurance companies and clinics.
Enhanced Coordination: The system facilitates better communication and coordination between insurance companies and healthcare providers, leading to improved care coordination and streamlined patient referrals.
Further Improvements for the Future:
Enhanced Interoperability: One area for further improvement is to enhance the interoperability of the NPHIES system with other healthcare IT systems used by clinics and insurance companies. This would facilitate seamless data exchange and improve overall efficiency.
Integration of Telemedicine Services: With the growing popularity of telemedicine, integrating telehealth services into the NPHIES system could further enhance access to care, especially in remote areas, and improve the overall efficiency of the healthcare system.
Advanced Data Analytics: Leveraging advanced data analytics tools within the NPHIES system can help insurance companies and clinics to analyze patient data, identify trends, and make informed decisions to enhance operational efficiency and improve patient outcomes.
In conclusion, the NPHIES system has already had a positive impact on the operational efficiency of insurance companies and clinics in Saudi Arabia. By focusing on enhancing interoperability, integrating telemedicine services, and leveraging data analytics capabilities, further improvements can be made to optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare system in the country.

In your experience, how can digital solutions like e-billing systems and medical records enhance revenue cycle management for healthcare providers?
In my experience, digital solutions such as e-billing systems and electronic medical records (EMRs) play a crucial role in enhancing revenue cycle management for healthcare providers. These technologies streamline administrative processes, improve billing accuracy, and optimize revenue collection, ultimately leading to increased efficiency and financial performance for healthcare practices.
Benefits of E-Billing Systems and EMRs in Revenue Cycle Management:
Faster Billing Processes: E-billing systems automate the billing process, reducing the time and resources required to generate and submit claims to insurance companies. This results in faster reimbursements and improved cash flow for healthcare providers.
Reduced Errors: Electronic systems help minimize errors in billing and coding, leading to fewer claim denials and rejections. By ensuring accurate documentation and coding, healthcare providers can maximize their revenue and avoid costly payment delays.
Enhanced Compliance: E-billing systems and EMRs facilitate compliance with regulatory requirements and coding standards, reducing the risk of audits and penalties. By maintaining accurate and up-to-date records, healthcare providers can demonstrate compliance with billing regulations and ensure proper reimbursement.
Improved Patient Engagement: Electronic solutions enable healthcare providers to engage with patients more effectively, providing access to online portals for appointment scheduling, billing inquiries, and payment processing. This enhances patient satisfaction and encourages timely payment, ultimately improving revenue collection.
Data Analytics and Reporting: E-billing systems and EMRs offer robust reporting and analytics capabilities, allowing healthcare providers to track key performance indicators, identify revenue trends, and optimize billing processes. By leveraging data insights, providers can make informed decisions to enhance revenue cycle management strategies.
Examples of How Digital Solutions Enhance Revenue Cycle Management:
A medical practice implements an e-billing system that automatically verifies patient insurance coverage and checks for errors in claims before submission. This streamlines the billing process, reduces claim denials, and accelerates revenue collection.
A hospital adopts an EMR system that integrates with its billing software, enabling seamless documentation of patient encounters and automatic coding of procedures. This leads to improved billing accuracy, faster claim processing, and increased revenue capture.
In conclusion, digital solutions like e-billing systems and EMRs are essential tools for enhancing revenue cycle management in healthcare. By leveraging these technologies effectively, healthcare providers can streamline billing processes, reduce errors, improve compliance, engage patients, and optimize revenue collection strategies to achieve financial success.

What leadership principles do you prioritize when guiding teams in the healthcare sector, and how have these principles contributed to your success?
When guiding teams in the healthcare sector, several key leadership principles are crucial for fostering a positive work environment, driving innovation, and achieving organizational success. Here are some leadership principles that I prioritize when leading teams in the healthcare sector:
Empathy and Compassion: Demonstrating empathy and compassion towards team members, patients, and colleagues is essential in the healthcare sector. Understanding the needs and emotions of others helps build trust, foster strong relationships, and create a supportive work culture.
Communication and Transparency: Effective communication is vital for ensuring clarity, fostering collaboration, and promoting transparency within the team. Open and honest communication builds trust, encourages feedback, and enhances decision-making processes.
Vision and Strategic Thinking: Setting a clear vision, outlining strategic goals, and inspiring team members to work towards a shared purpose are essential for driving innovation and achieving success in the healthcare sector. Strategic thinking helps identify opportunities for improvement and navigate challenges effectively.
Adaptability and Resilience: The healthcare industry is constantly evolving, and leaders must be adaptable and resilient in the face of change. Embracing innovation, learning from failures, and quickly adjusting to new circumstances are key traits that contribute to success in a dynamic healthcare environment.
Empowerment and Development: Empowering team members, providing opportunities for growth and development, and fostering a culture of continuous learning are essential for building a motivated and high-performing team. Investing in the professional development of employees leads to increased engagement, retention, and overall success.
Ethical and Values-Driven Leadership: Upholding ethical standards, promoting integrity, and leading by example are fundamental principles that guide decision-making and behavior in the healthcare sector. Adhering to ethical principles builds trust with stakeholders and reinforces the organization’s reputation.
How These Principles Contribute to Success:
By prioritizing empathy and compassion, I have built strong relationships with team members, creating a supportive and collaborative work environment that enhances teamwork and employee morale.
Effective communication and transparency have enabled clear alignment on goals and priorities, leading to improved coordination, decision-making, and overall team performance.
Vision and strategic thinking have helped me set ambitious yet achievable goals, inspiring innovation and driving continuous improvement within the team and organization.
Adapting to change and fostering resilience have allowed me to navigate challenges effectively, embrace new opportunities, and lead the team through periods of transformation and growth.
In conclusion, by prioritizing these leadership principles, I have been able to foster a positive and high-performing team culture, drive innovation, and contribute to the success of healthcare organizations. Embracing empathy, communication, vision, adaptability, empowerment, and ethical values is essential for effective leadership in the dynamic and challenging healthcare sector.

What are some of the key challenges healthcare providers face in streamlining their revenue cycle processes, and how do you help overcome them?
Healthcare providers face several challenges when streamlining their revenue cycle processes, which can impact their financial performance and operational efficiency. Some common challenges include:
Complex Billing and Coding Procedures: The healthcare industry has intricate billing and coding requirements that are constantly evolving. Ensuring accurate documentation, proper coding, and compliance with regulations can be challenging and time-consuming.
High Rates of Claim Denials: Insurance claim denials are a significant issue for healthcare providers, leading to delays in reimbursement and revenue loss. Identifying the root causes of claim denials and implementing strategies to reduce them is crucial for optimizing revenue cycle management.
Inefficient Manual Processes: Relying on manual processes for tasks such as data entry, eligibility verification, and claims processing can lead to errors, delays, and inefficiencies in the revenue cycle. Automation and technology solutions are essential for streamlining these processes.
Limited Patient Payment Collection: Collecting patient payments can be challenging, especially with increasing out-of-pocket costs and complex insurance plans. Implementing clear financial policies, offering payment options, and engaging patients in the billing process can improve collection rates.
Lack of Integration and Interoperability: Siloed systems and lack of integration between different departments and software solutions can hinder the flow of information and communication in the revenue cycle. Seamless data exchange and interoperability are essential for streamlining processes.
Strategies to Overcome Revenue Cycle Challenges:
Implementing Technology Solutions: Adopting electronic health records (EHRs), e-billing systems, revenue cycle management software, and other technology solutions can automate processes, reduce errors, and improve efficiency in billing and coding.
Staff Training and Education: Investing in staff training on billing regulations, coding updates, and revenue cycle best practices can enhance accuracy, compliance, and performance in revenue cycle processes.
Revenue Cycle Audits and Performance Monitoring: Conducting regular audits of revenue cycle processes, tracking key performance indicators, and analyzing data to identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement can help optimize revenue cycle management.
Enhancing Patient Engagement: Educating patients about their financial responsibilities, offering transparent billing information, and providing convenient payment options can increase patient satisfaction and improve collection rates.
Collaboration and Communication: Encouraging collaboration between revenue cycle staff, clinical teams, and administrative departments, and fostering open communication can streamline workflows, address issues proactively, and enhance revenue cycle efficiency.
By addressing these key challenges through a combination of technology adoption, staff training, performance monitoring, patient engagement, and effective communication, healthcare providers can overcome obstacles in streamlining their revenue cycle processes and achieve financial success.

Having worked in diverse regions, how do you adapt global healthcare trends to suit local market needs in Saudi Arabia and other regions?
To adapt global healthcare trends to local market needs, it is crucial first to understand the specific healthcare landscape of Saudi Arabia and other regions. This involves analyzing demographic data, prevalent health issues, cultural attitudes towards health and wellness, existing healthcare infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks. For instance, Saudi Arabia has a unique demographic profile with a significant proportion of young people but also faces challenges such as rising rates of chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity. Understanding these factors allows for tailoring global trends to address local health priorities.
Engaging Stakeholders
Engagement with local stakeholders—including government bodies, healthcare providers, patients, and community organizations—is essential. In Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Health plays a pivotal role in shaping healthcare policies. Collaborating with such entities helps ensure that any adaptations align with national health strategies and regulations. Additionally, involving local healthcare professionals can provide insights into practical implementation challenges and patient preferences.
Cultural Sensitivity
Cultural considerations are paramount when adapting global healthcare trends. In Saudi Arabia, cultural norms influence health behaviors and perceptions about medical interventions. For example, gender roles may affect women’s access to healthcare services. Therefore, any global trend must be adapted to respect cultural values while promoting effective health outcomes. This could involve developing gender-sensitive programs or utilizing culturally appropriate communication strategies.
Leveraging Technology
Technology is a significant driver of change in global healthcare trends. In regions like Saudi Arabia, where there is a high penetration of mobile technology and internet access, telemedicine and digital health solutions can be tailored to meet local needs effectively. For instance, implementing telehealth services can help bridge gaps in access to care in rural areas while also accommodating the preferences of tech-savvy younger populations.
Policy Alignment
Aligning adaptations with local policies is critical for successful implementation. In Saudi Arabia, Vision 2030 outlines ambitious goals for improving the healthcare system by enhancing quality of care and increasing efficiency through privatization and innovation. Adapting global trends should consider these strategic objectives to ensure that initiatives receive governmental support and funding.
Data-Driven Decision Making
Utilizing data analytics can enhance the adaptation process by providing insights into population health trends and service utilization patterns. By leveraging data from electronic health records (EHRs) or public health databases in Saudi Arabia or other regions, stakeholders can identify priority areas for intervention based on evidence rather than assumptions.
Continuous Evaluation and Feedback Loops
Finally, establishing mechanisms for continuous evaluation is vital for adapting global trends effectively over time. This involves collecting feedback from patients and providers regarding new initiatives’ effectiveness and making necessary adjustments based on this feedback. Implementing pilot programs before full-scale rollouts can also help refine approaches based on real-world experiences.
In summary, adapting global healthcare trends to suit local market needs requires a comprehensive understanding of the local context—considering demographics, culture, stakeholder engagement, technology integration, policy alignment, data utilization, and ongoing evaluation processes.

Could you elaborate on your approach to training healthcare professionals in revenue cycle management and its impact on organizational performance?
Needs Assessment
Before implementing any training program, conducting a needs assessment is crucial. This involves evaluating the current knowledge levels of healthcare professionals regarding RCM processes and identifying gaps in skills or understanding. Surveys, interviews, and focus groups can be utilized to gather insights from staff across various roles—such as front desk personnel, billing specialists, coders, and clinical staff—to tailor the training content effectively.
Curriculum Development
Based on the needs assessment findings, a structured curriculum should be developed that addresses identified gaps while also incorporating best practices in RCM. The curriculum might include modules on:
Fundamentals of RCM: Overview of the revenue cycle stages.
Regulatory Compliance: Understanding regulatory policies such as Article 11, and MOH regulations that affect billing practices.
Coding Practices: Training on ICD-10-AM coding and DRG systems to ensure accurate charge capture.
Billing Procedures: Best practices for generating claims and managing denials.
Patient Engagement: Techniques for improving patient communication regarding financial responsibilities.
Training Methods
Utilizing diverse training methods can enhance learning outcomes:
Workshops and Seminars: Interactive sessions led by experts can facilitate deeper understanding through discussions and case studies.
E-Learning Modules: Online courses allow flexibility for staff to learn at their own pace while providing access to up-to-date resources.
Simulation Exercises: Role-playing scenarios can help staff practice real-world situations they may encounter during the revenue cycle process.
Mentorship Programs: Pairing less experienced staff with seasoned professionals fosters knowledge transfer and practical skill development

With your extensive experience, how do you see the role of revenue cycle consultants evolving in the next five years in Saudi Arabia’s rapidly advancing healthcare ecosystem?
1. Increased Demand for Expertise
As Saudi Arabia continues to invest in its healthcare infrastructure and technology, the demand for revenue cycle consultants is expected to grow. These professionals will be crucial in helping healthcare organizations optimize their billing processes, reduce claim denials, and improve overall financial performance.
2. Integration of Advanced Technologies
With the rise of digital health solutions and electronic health records (EHRs), revenue cycle consultants will need to adapt to new technologies. Their role will increasingly involve leveraging data analytics and artificial intelligence to streamline revenue processes and enhance decision-making.
3. Regulatory Compliance and Financial Management
As the Saudi healthcare system evolves, so too will the regulatory landscape. Revenue cycle consultants will play a vital role in ensuring compliance with new regulations while also advising on best practices for financial management within healthcare organizations.
4. Focus on Value-Based Care Models
The shift towards value-based care in Saudi Arabia will require revenue cycle consultants to develop strategies that align financial incentives with patient outcomes. This evolution will necessitate a deeper understanding of clinical practices alongside traditional financial expertise.
In summary, the role of revenue cycle consultants in Saudi Arabia’s healthcare ecosystem is set to evolve significantly over the next five years, driven by technological advancements, regulatory changes, and a focus on value-based care

How do strong collaborations between insurance companies, service providers, and healthcare organizations benefit the overall healthcare delivery system?
Improved Patient Outcomes: Strong collaborations facilitate better communication and coordination among insurance companies, service providers, and healthcare organizations, leading to more comprehensive care plans that can improve patient health outcomes.
Cost Efficiency: By working together, these entities can streamline processes, reduce redundancies, and implement cost-saving measures that ultimately lower healthcare costs for patients and insurers alike.
Enhanced Access to Care: Collaborations can help identify gaps in care and develop programs that increase access to necessary services, particularly for underserved populations.
Data Sharing and Analytics: Collaborative efforts often involve sharing data across organizations, which can enhance the ability to analyze health trends, improve treatment protocols, and personalize patient care.
Innovation in Services: Partnerships encourage innovation by pooling resources and expertise to develop new healthcare solutions and technologies that can enhance service delivery.
Regulatory Compliance: Working together helps ensure that all parties are compliant with healthcare regulations and standards, reducing the risk of legal issues or penalties.
Patient-Centered Care Models: Collaboration fosters the development of integrated care models that focus on the needs of patients rather than individual organizational goals.