#credentialing solutions

[outsource-medical-billing]

24/7 Medical Billing Services Launches Exclusive Offer: Free Credentialing for First 10 Payers for All New Clients

Leading medical billing provider 24/7 Medical Billing Services launches free credentialing for new clients' first 10 payers, reducing administrative burden.

[statmedcarellc]

Streamlined Healthcare Credentialing Solutions

STAT MedCare LLC offers comprehensive credentialing services for healthcare professionals and organizations. Our expert team efficiently manages the complex process of verifying qualifications, licenses, and certifications. We ensure timely submissions to insurance panels and healthcare facilities, reducing administrative burden and accelerating revenue cycles. Trust STAT MedCare LLC to handle your credentialing needs, allowing you to focus on patient care while we secure your participation with payers and institutions.

Visit Us:- https://statmedcaresolutions.com/

[sawsllc]

Expert Dental Billing Solutions from SAW LLC

SAW LLC provides efficient and affordable dental billing solutions that lighten your team’s workload and enhance your office’s productivity. We work with all major dental software and follow best practices in coding, billing, and compliance. Our goal is to help your practice stay profitable, organized, and free from billing stress. To get more information about our services, Visit our website!

[ahmedfahadhashemy]

Zenith Medical Billing is a trusted provider of professional medical billing and coding services to healthcare providers across the United States. Offering a full range of healthcare billing and coding solutions, including denial management, credentialing, and medical transcription services, Zenith helps practices optimize their revenue cycle. With a focus on accuracy and efficiency, Zenith’s team of certified medical coders and billing professionals ensures compliant and timely billing. Whether for small practices or large healthcare organizations, Zenith provides reliable medical billing outsourcing services that allow providers to focus on patient care while improving financial performance and reducing administrative costs.

[neilsblog]

Privileged Access Management: Strengthening Security and Compliance in Organizations

In today’s digital landscape, organizations worldwide face a mounting array of cyber threats that target their most valuable data and systems. To address these risks, businesses are increasingly turning to Privileged Access Management (PAM) solutions as a cornerstone of their cybersecurity strategy. PAM helps organizations secure their IT environments by controlling, monitoring, and safeguarding…

[pmedicalbilling]

Navigating Credentialing in Medical Billing the Essential Guide

In the tricky worldwide of healthcare, credentialing plays a pivotal characteristic that frequently is going ignored. For medical billers, healthcare agencies, and billing experts, knowledge this vital method isn't always actually beneficial—it’s critical. Credentialing guarantees that healthcare carriers are well vetted, certified, and authorized to serve patients and acquire reimbursement from insurance companies. This comprehensive guide will solve the complexities of credentialing in medical billing, provide an explanation for why it's far critical in your exercise, and provide actionable insights to streamline the technique.

Understanding Credentialing a Fundamental Overview

Credentialing is the system with the resource of which healthcare carriers are evaluated and authorized to offer medical services. This includes verifying a provider's qualifications, inclusive of their education, schooling, licensure, and work history. Credentialing is important to make certain that vendors meet organization necessities and might deliver steady, effective care to sufferers.

The technique of credentialing is greater than best a formality; it’s a meticulous exam of a provider’s heritage that consists of peer references, malpractice records, and any disciplinary movements. This complete evaluation permits preserve excessive requirements within the medical network. For clinical billers and billing experts, expertise credentialing is critical because it without delay affects the reimbursement approach and the economic health of a healthcare workout.

In modern-day years, the significance of credentialing has extended extensively. With the rise in healthcare fraud and malpractice instances, coverage agencies and regulatory our bodies have tightened credentialing necessities. This method that staying knowledgeable and adhering to the ones requirements is extra important than ever for healthcare carriers and billers.

Why Credentialing Matters for Healthcare Providers

For healthcare carriers, credentialing is a gateway to taking element in coverage networks. Without proper credentialing, vendors can't invoice coverage businesses or achieve charge for services rendered to insured patients. This makes credentialing a critical step for any healthcare exercise trying to function efficiently and profitably.

Credentialing moreover enhances an employer’s credibility and reputation. Patients are much more likely to agree with providers who are credentialed by way of identified institutions and coverage companies. This trust interprets to extended affected character retention and delight, which can be key drivers of a successful healthcare exercise.

Additionally, credentialing enables mitigate prison dangers. By making sure that everyone business meet stringent qualifications and cling to moral necessities, healthcare companies can lessen the probability of malpractice claims and other jail problems. This protecting measure is beneficial in safeguarding each the company's and the exercise’s pastimes.

The Credentialing Process Step by using the use of Step

The credentialing gadget usually starts off evolved with the submission of an software to a credentialing business enterprise or an insurance company. This application includes precise statistics approximately the company’s training, education, licensure, and professional enjoy. It may additionally require documentation together with diplomas, certificate, and letters of recommendation.

Once the application is submitted, the credentialing commercial enterprise employer conducts an intensive evaluate and verification of the information provided. This includes contacting academic institutions, licensing forums, and former employers to validate the enterprise’s credentials. The company additionally checks for any disciplinary movements or malpractice claims inside the organization’s records.

After the verification technique, the company may be required to participate in an interview or go through extra checks, relying at the company’s guidelines. Once all steps are finished, the credentialing organization makes a selection and affords or denies credentialing popularity. This choice is communicated to the organization and the healthcare workout, finishing the credentialing technique.

Common Challenges in Credentialing and How to Overcome Them

One of the most not unusual worrying situations in credentialing is the lengthy and time-eating method. Gathering and verifying the essential documentation can take several months, delaying a organization’s capability to appearance patients and generate sales. To overcome this, providers must begin the credentialing technique as early as viable and make certain all documentation is entire and correct.

Another mission is preserving song of the various credentialing necessities for one-of-a-kind coverage agencies and businesses. Each entity also can have its very very own set of standards and methods, making it tough to manipulate multiple programs simultaneously. Using credentialing software or operating with a credentialing professional can help streamline this manner and make sure compliance with all requirements.

Finally, keeping credentialing fame requires ongoing strive. Providers need to preserve their credentials up to date and file any modifications of their qualifications or exercise reputation. Regularly reviewing and renewing credentials is important to keep away from lapses that would disrupt billing and repayment processes.

The Role of Credentialing Specialists in Healthcare

Credentialing specialists play a critical position in managing the credentialing procedure for healthcare carriers. These professionals have understanding in navigating the complicated requirements of diverse coverage networks and credentialing corporations. They manage the administrative workload, permitting agencies to awareness on affected character care.

Credentialing professionals are answerable for amassing and filing the important documentation, tracking application statuses, and ensuring compliance with credentialing necessities. They moreover maintain organizations knowledgeable of any updates or adjustments in credentialing requirements, assisting to save you lapses or troubles that could affect billing and repayment.

In addition to their administrative obligations, credentialing experts act as advocates for companies. They communicate with insurance businesses and credentialing organizations on behalf of the organization, addressing any issues or discrepancies that may rise up within the course of the way. This advocacy is critical in expediting credentialing selections and resolving potential problems.

Credentialing and Its Impact on Medical Billing

Credentialing directly impacts medical billing and the financial viability of healthcare practices. Without right credentialing, businesses cannot bill coverage businesses for services rendered, leading to sales loss and monetary instability. Ensuring that all carriers are credentialed is vital for keeping steady cash drift and optimizing the billing way.

Inaccurate or incomplete credentialing facts can bring about declare denials and price delays. Billing specialists must verify that every one company data is current and correctly reflected in billing structures to save you those troubles. Regular audits and updates to credentialing information can assist keep away from disruptions inside the billing method.

Furthermore, credentialing impacts the contracts and repayment prices negotiated with insurance companies. Providers with robust credentials and a high exceptional reputation may also additionally have extra leverage in securing favorable phrases and charges. This underscores the importance of retaining excessive standards and constantly enhancing credentialing profiles.

Credentialing Software Tools Streamlining the Process

In today’s digital age, credentialing software program system have end up valuable in streamlining the credentialing system. These tools automate some of the administrative responsibilities associated with credentialing, which consist of accumulating documentation, tracking software program progress, and sending reminders for renewals.

Credentialing software program gives centralized databases in which providers and practices can save and manipulate all credentialing information. This centralization reduces the threat of mistakes and omissions, ensuring that each one vital documentation is readily to be had and updated. It moreover presents analytics and reporting functions to display credentialing overall performance and identify areas for development.

By leveraging credentialing software, healthcare practices can considerably reduce the time and assets required for credentialing. This lets in providers to attention on handing over extraordinary patient care even as making sure compliance with credentialing requirements.

Credentialing and Compliance Meeting Industry Standards

Compliance with credentialing necessities is not best important for billing and reimbursement however moreover for meeting organization regulations and ethical requirements. Credentialing guarantees that carriers adhere to federal and country legal guidelines, in addition to the recommendations set forth through using professional agencies and accrediting bodies.

Maintaining compliance with credentialing necessities permits guard healthcare practices from crook and monetary risks. Non-compliance can bring about consequences, loss of accreditation, and harm to the practice’s reputation. Regular audits and updates to credentialing facts are important to make sure ongoing compliance and avoid capability issues.

Credentialing moreover allows fine guarantee obligations inside healthcare groups. By verifying company qualifications and monitoring ongoing compliance, credentialing allows keep excessive standards of care and enhances affected man or woman protection and pleasure.

Building a Culture of Credentialing Excellence

Creating a tradition of credentialing excellence inside a healthcare organization calls for collaboration and willpower from all stakeholders. Providers, billing professionals, credentialing specialists, and administrators ought to paintings collectively to prioritize credentialing and ensure its fulfillment.

Educating carriers and body of workers approximately the importance of credentialing and its effect at the exercising is a critical first step. Regular education periods and workshops can help strengthen credentialing quality practices and maintain every body knowledgeable of any adjustments in requirements or suggestions.

Establishing easy protocols and strategies for credentialing is also important. These protocols want to outline the roles and obligations of each crew member, further to the stairs concerned in the credentialing procedure. Regularly reviewing and updating those protocols ensures that the organization remains aligned with organization standards and excellent practices.

Credentialing Trends and Innovations What's Next

The credentialing panorama is continuously evolving, driven with the resource of improvements in era and changes in regulatory necessities. One rising fashion is the increased use of blockchain technology in credentialing. Blockchain offers secure, obvious, and immutable facts, improving the accuracy and reliability of credentialing data.

Another fashion is the aggregate of synthetic intelligence (AI) in credentialing strategies. AI algorithms can automate the verification of credentials, come to be aware about discrepancies, and predict capability problems in advance than they get up. This reduces the govt burden on credentialing specialists and improves the performance and accuracy of the gadget.

Finally, there can be a growing emphasis on enterprise engagement and delight in credentialing. Forward-wondering businesses are exploring approaches to streamline the credentialing technique and enhance the provider revel in. This includes lowering administrative workload, enhancing conversation, and presenting personalized assist at some point of the credentialing lifecycle.

Conclusion Empowering Your Practice with Credentialing

Credentialing is a critical difficulty of medical billing and healthcare operations. It guarantees that carriers are qualified, compliant, and licensed to deliver outstanding care and obtain repayment for their services. By know-how and optimizing the credentialing manner, healthcare carriers, medical billers, and billing professionals can decorate their exercise’s recognition, economic balance, and operational performance.

To correctly navigate the complexities of credentialing, it is important to stay informed of agency traits, leverage era, and foster a tradition of excellence within your company. By doing so, you may empower your practice to thrive in nowadays competitive healthcare landscape and supply great care for your sufferers.

For the ones searching out similarly facts or help, consider exploring extra sources or consulting with credentialing professionals to make sure your practice is located for success.

[jcmarchi]

AI-powered phishing threats are nearly impossible to detect (2024)

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/ai-powered-phishing-threats-are-nearly-impossible-to-detect-2024/

AI-powered phishing threats are nearly impossible to detect (2024)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Until recently, the signs of a phishing scam were relatively obvious – typos, “dear”, clumsy grammar, a cloying sense of urgency.

Not only did people know what to watch for, but they also felt confident in their abilities to detect a phishing email and to avoid a malicious link or attachment.

But new research shows that young people are extremely concerned about accidentally exposing their organization to a cyber attack – largely due to the fact that the phishing threat landscape has shifted.

The new phishing

Eighty-five percent of employees, many of whom skew younger, believe that AI has rendered cyber security attacks more sophisticated than ever before. Seventy-eight percent of that cohort is concerned about the use of AI in cyber attacks and its potential to help create imperceptible threats.

Employees were once considered the first line of cyber defense – It was all about teaching employees to recognize phishing emails, to avoid clicking on suspicious links…etc. While phishing awareness is undoubtedly still relevant, organizations may need to reconsider the extent to which they rely on employees to recognize and independently stop threats.

If threats are fooling executives, how can we, in good faith, create the expectation that employees should know more than high-level stakeholders and maintain an exceptionally high-level of responsibility for protecting the organization?

New threat examples

Gen Z is losing confidence in its ability to recognize phishing attacks and for good reason. The attacks are becoming absurdly sophisticated.

Below are three examples of phishing emails that your employees could encounter tomorrow, and likely wouldn’t know to flag. You can also use the email examples below within your own phishing tests or as examples within your educational programming:

1. This email asks employees to review a [fake] policy.

Dear [Employee Name],

As part of our ongoing commitment to information security, we have recently updated our company policies regarding data handling and access. To ensure that all employees are aware of these changes, [your company name] requires a one-time review and acknowledgement.

Your access to company resources will be temporarily restricted until you have completed this brief review. The process takes approximately 5 minutes and can be accessed through the secure link provided below.

[Link to fake page with company logo and colors]

Please note: This link is unique to your account and will expire in 48 hours. We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining a secure work environment.

Sincerely,

The Information Security Team

2. This email realistically [and falsely] alerts employees to a data breach.

Dear [Employee Name],

We are writing to inform you of a recent data breach that may have affected a limited amount of employee information. We are still investigating the scope of the incident, but out of an abundance of caution, we recommend that you take immediate action to secure your accounts.

For your convenience, we have included a link to a secure portal where you can review the potentially compromised data and update your login credentials for all company-related accounts.

[Link to fake data breach information page]

We understand this news may be concerning, and we are committed to keeping you informed as we learn more.

Sincerely,

The Security Response Team

3. This email provides believable [and false] information about an HR-run program.

Hi [Employee Name],

It’s time to celebrate our amazing team! We’re holding our annual internal employee recognition program and need your vote to choose the winners in various categories.

To ensure a fair and secure voting process, we’ve implemented a new single sign-on system. Simply click the link below and use your Windows login credentials to cast your vote.

[Link to fake page with company logo and colors]

Voting closes on [date]. Let’s show our appreciation to those who go the extra mile!

Best regards,

The HR Department

Current phishing falsehoods

The point is that today’s phishing attempts look much different from what we’re used to seeing, and yet we’re still holding employees to the same expectations around serving as the first line of defense and stopping attacks.

Yes, employees bear some responsibility. Yes, they should receive educational training around the basics, from links to attachments, but we also need to be sure that we’ve fully internalized the fact that the landscape has changed.

It’s not that Gen Z isn’t knowledgeable about cyber security – younger workers are digital natives and 86% see themselves as cyber aware.

Actionable steps for cyber security professionals

In addition to robust phishing education and training exercises:

Implement advanced email security protection. Prevent phishing threats that are AI powered and exceptionally evasive. Leverage advanced tools, like Check Point’s email security solutions, which are 93X more effective than other tools on the market.

Deploy comprehensive endpoint protection. Endpoint protection can help ensure that employees are not duped into providing sensitive information.

Adopt a zero trust security framework. This can minimize the potential damage, should a phishing attack succeed.

Leverage AI-powered, cloud-delivered cyber security solutions. These solutions scale well and can be updated quickly to address new threats. Learn more here.

Discover additional must-read AI trends and expert insights in this article. Lastly, to receive cyber security thought leadership content, groundbreaking research and emerging threat analyses each week, subscribe to the CyberTalk.org newsletter.

[ahmedfahadhashemy]

Zenith Medical Billing

Visit Our Website:

[dreamhealthplanet]

iRCM, Inc. stands out as the premier medical billing company for healthcare providers in the USA due to its unwavering commitment to excellence and unparalleled services. With years of experience in the industry, iRCM, Inc. has established itself as a trusted partner for physicians and healthcare facilities, streamlining their billing processes and maximizing revenue.

Their team of highly skilled professionals is well-versed in the intricacies of medical coding, insurance claims, and compliance regulations, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in every transaction. By leveraging advanced technology and personalized solutions, iRCM, Inc. delivers optimal financial outcomes for its clients, allowing healthcare providers to focus on patient care and practice growth.

For physicians seeking the best-in-class medical billing services, contact iRCM, Inc. at [(800) 516-5234] or email them at [info@ircm.com]. Experience the transformative impact on your revenue cycle management with iRCM, Inc. by your side.

[grandisknight]

afternoon treatment | zayne

summary: Zayne follows the "doctor's orders" in order to feel better.

tags: suggestive, established relationship, gn!reader (no specific descriptors), soft zayne, medical kink, 'doctor' kink, kissing, medical procedures (auscultation), medical inaccuracies (in a sense), chest mention, straddling

wc: 2.2k | ao3 | kinktober in deepspace masterlist

a/n: relax time affinity 80 with zayne and that one liner he has. that's it, that's the tweet.

Afternoons at Akso Hospital were always the busiest, from routine check-ups to meetings alike. Staff and accompanying patients hustled through the halls and hushed rooms—there was always something happening, and the cardiac surgery department was no different.

Yet, today seemed to offer Zayne some grace and time to reside in the chilled comforts of his workspace. The morning surgery went well, and his next procedure wouldn’t be for another hour or two. 

Therefore, he’s rewarded himself with a simple diagnosis report. The file was lighter in subject, easier to digest in comparison to what was usually on his plate. In his mind, this was a well-fitted solution to kill some time before returning to sterile scrubs and tense operating rooms.

Glasses perched on the bridge of his nose, he looks over their exterior when a soft series of familiar knocks reach his door.

“It’s open,” he calls out, rectangular reflection returning to the onscreen data. Without missing a beat and sparing another glance, he adds on, “Weren’t you supposed to visit a No-Hunt Zone today?”

“Finished my observations earlier than expected,” you chirped, pushing the door to a close and striding towards his busy desk. 

Recent reports of Metaflux fluctuations had consumed your bright morning with Herte Knaves running amok. Nothing out of the ordinary from your usual line of work, easily dealt with in a couple of bulleted blows. Their dispersing remains flecked the air in a quiet flurry that reminded you of snowflakes—naturally, your feet led you to the pristine floors of Akso soon thereafter.

Curiously, you sidestep to shadow his focused form, gaze altering between the wall of text and precise clicks of his keys. “Thought you were on break, but it seems like you’re working,” you mumble, in awe of his steady pace. “As always, Dr. Zayne.”

He speaks with an obvious, “Well, I am at work. The call is coming from inside the house.”

“Zayne,” you punctuate. His sarcasm doesn’t go unnoticed, and you cross your arms in turn. “You know what I mean.”

A faint chuckle passes under his breath. “You’re accusing me as if I’m in the wrong.”

He was not, actually—far from it. That goes without saying when you were in the middle of his office, imposing during said work time. But you’ve been in his graces for nearly a year now, and know well enough that it was only around this time in the afternoons would he be able to catch a breather.

You shake your head, putting on your best voice before coming to your defense. “No, but the doctor’s orders require you to take a break.”

This catches his attention, fingers slowing their clicks and chair swiveling to face you head on. Slight confusion quirks his brow, mirroring your folded arms in observation. “And pray tell, who would that be? Last time I checked, only one of us is a certified surgeon in this room.”

Your eyes instinctively dart to his stationed badge, credentials on full display against his chest pocket. He had you beat there, at the very least.

“You may hold a degree for medical hearts,” you start, taking a step into the space of his parted knees and tapping your chest. 

“But I hold the degree to your heart.” Your finger redirects to the meeting point of his neckline, resting above the aforementioned muscle.

“Is that so?” The corners of his lips lift, amused by your display and newfound authority. “I was unaware of such a professional. Surely, I would’ve remembered seeing someone as dedicated as you during my studies.” 

He takes the chance to brush away a strand of hair hugging your cheek, neatly tucking it behind your ear. Gentle appreciation fills his comment of, “Would’ve made them much more enjoyable, too.”

“That’s besides the point.” You wave him off, though it doesn’t fan away the heat blushing your ears, sensing his underlying meaning. 

Returning to your self-presumed role, you nod. “As your dedicated and completely legitimate doctor, I believe you’re showing concerning symptoms.”

Zayne hums, withdrawing his hand. “I’m afraid your assessment is lost on me. What exactly are these symptoms?”

“Well, my patient seems to love working overtime. This can cause unnecessary stress to the body and mind, for one.” 

You lift one knee to bracket his, the other following in suit—Zayne adapts rather quickly, leaning back to give you space as you carefully straddle his waist. His arms naturally circle around you, hands hovering your tailbone to keep you steady.

Neatly settled on top, you continue with your mild lecture of reported observations. “Even though he should be using the precious time in-between work to give himself a well-deserved break, he does the exact opposite.” 

“He is on a break,” Zayne says to his defense. “It’s barely considered heavy work.”

“Doing any kind of work during down-time does not count, mister,” you chide.

You gently tussle his bangs, pushing them to the side and revealing his forehead. Smoothing over the skin above his brow, your eyes searched his expression before noting a shadow of fatigue beneath his lashes. He really was working himself to the bone, even if he didn’t want to admit it. 

“A dire symptom of a workaholic is when his skin is faring worse than usual,” you exaggerate. “Your eye bags are so prominent they could be checked in at the airport.”

“It’s not that bad,” he murmurs, eyes crinkling at your touch. They flutter to a close when your hand slides to cup his face, thumb brushing the high of his cheekbone in gentle care. “The lighting just makes it seem worse for wear. I’m fine.”

“I beg to differ.” You slowly trail downwards, caressing the side of his neck with a pursed lip. 

His pulse point thrummed nicely against your fingers, and a curious press elicited a low sigh from him. Unexpected, though the sound was music to your ears and had butterflies rampant in your stomach. A part of you wanted to hear more of the gravelly timbre that rarely made an appearance—you knew what needed to be done.

Picking up where you left off, more of your self-declared medical ramblings followed. “See here? Another symptom, such a fast pace surely isn’t for the faint of heart. Your apical pulse,” to which your fingertips lightly drag themselves towards, “can’t lie to me.”

Zayne is breathless by the time he formulates a response in sincerity. “How can we go about a treatment plan, then? It seems pretty serious.”

A slowed, purposeful pronunciation follows soon thereafter. “Doc-tor.”

Your heart skipped not one, but two beats—dangerous, surely, but it fell short in the face of Zayne’s steadfast compliance. He peers up at you, factually smitten and framed softly by the office lights blending the contours of his face. You raise your other hand to hold his fine face between them. Admiring, in awe of all that he was.

“There’s only one known treatment option, I’ll have you know.” Unable to hide your smile, you quickly add, “Might require mouth to mouth if things go south.”

Zayne’s pools of hazel flick to your upturned lips, before meeting your mischievous stare with a hint of his own.

“Is this truly scientifically proven, or did you come all this way just to kiss me?”

“Yes,” was all you offered to his question, before placing an airy kiss to his cupid’s bow. 

A second found its way to the bridge of his nose, laid over the slight ridge you adore before another rested between his raised brows. His eyes flutter to a close when your lips gently pressed to his temple, stilling at the contact. Slowly, you leave a trail of love across his cheeks, pausing once you meet the corner of his mouth.

Your thumb brushes against his lower lip, smiling at the way he parts them so readily for you. His chin tilts in the direction of your touch, mouthing the chase. A flush of pink sinked into his skin, a perfect peach for you to sink your teeth into.

“Tell me,” you say softly. Your fingers curl underneath his chin, observing the lidded gaze that follows. “Does it hurt anywhere?”

A tender exhale pushes past those very lips. “Right here,” he quietly admits. Closing the distance until you were only a breath away, his eyes focused on the plush of your mouth. “Please, Doctor.”

The union was gentle and warm, a kiss so kind that the same sentiment blossomed in your chest. Traces of a sweetened coffee picked from the hospital’s cafeteria and warm amber from his collar consumed your senses.

Zayne held you closer, chest to his and enveloping in a tender embrace. His hands traced the curve of your back, following your spine to gently cradle your head. Just to keep you this close, he was restless—realizing that he needed this more than he thought. The smile that cracks through another kiss is a testament to it, sealed with a deep breath of contentment.

It was perfect, a moment in time where your thundering heartbeats were equally matched. The world was nothing but a witness to the seconds spent in meaningful lip-locking.

“Mmph,” you groan unceremoniously. 

Something firm brushed against your brow, pulling you out of the sweet trance. The culprit looked back at you in its silver rimmed and glass glory, sliding down the bridge of Zayne’s nose.

“Hm?” He leans back, noticing your discomfort. “What’s the matter?” 

You contemplate on telling him, partially distracted by the puff of his lower lip. It has a sheen of your affection, and you were sure you looked no different in his eyes.

“Your glasses are falling,” you admit. You reach for the frames, intending on pushing them back to the high of his nose.

Zayne pauses your wrist then, a warm mirth in his gaze. “These are in the way, are they not?” He guides your hand, allowing the glasses to depart from his face and settling it on his desk. 

With or without the specs, he truly was handsome—the kind of beauty modeled in Greek busts, from the contours of his cheeks to the sharp angle of his brow bone. You’d have to thank his parents the next time you see them.

He sneaks in a kiss, no longer obscured by the barrier and face perfectly pressed to yours. “My Doctor seems to be distracted,” he comments, taking in your wandering gaze. A cool hand graces the crowd of your head, patting softly. “What are you planning this time?”

His touches brought you out of your daydreaming, and you nod. Hands settling on the curves of his shoulders, you slide them upwards with a murmur of, “I should check your apical pulse again.”

Your eyes wander to the space behind him, a stethoscope only a grab away. With some effort, you spare a hand to reach for it, rising from the chair to a degree. 

Zayne noticeably stiffens at his newfound view—your chest in his face wasn’t something on his agenda for today. The breath in his throat hitches, recognizing your fragrance. Comforting and pleasant, a piece of home warmly enhanced by your skin.

By the time you successfully have the medical device in hand, you nearly drop it at the feeling of his nose digging into your chest. 

“Zayne? You’re—mmh?!” His hands find their way to your midsection, holding you still as he inhales deeply. You only hear him hum between muffled fabric, and your mind dizzies at the heatwave the mere sound sends to your core.

He pulls back with a soft sigh, the peach of his skin notably deepened to a soft rouge. Zayne guides you back to sit proper in his lap, reaching for the stethoscope in your surprised hand. Carefully, he places the ear tips into place for you and brushes your hair back in the process. Nonchalant, as if he didn’t spend the last waking moments happily buried in your chest.

“If you’re checking my pulse for me, I hope you’ve read the hospital’s code of conduct.” He drops his hands then, patiently awaiting your auscultation. In the reflection of his coy stare, you find that your own blush is faring far, far worse than his.

“Right, right. I did, trust me,” you say in confidence.

You, in fact, did no such thing. But memory of past appointments guides your hand over his heart, chest piece sliding around to count the beats. Not a single count was missed, all perfectly in place and accounted for.

Though, the only thing you could hear was your own heartbeat drumming. It didn’t help that his eyes were entirely focused on you, pointed with affection and observation alike.

“Well?” Zayne hums. “How does it sound?”

“You have a heart, and it’s beating alright.” Your conclusion was far from exemplary, but at least it was the truth.

“That’s a relief,” he laughs quietly. He gently removes the stethoscope, setting it aside. “Realistically, this isn’t how an auscultation works.”

“My methods are just special, that’s all.” You shrug, lightly patting the space that protects the aforementioned organ. “But you seem to be feeling better, and that’s all that matters to me.”

“Mhm.” Zayne presses a kiss to your nose, and offers his gratitude. “Thank you, Doctor. I don’t know what I would do without your care.”