Method And Apparatus to Provide for the Provision of Medically-Related Information

• US 20070067190A1
• Filed: 09/19/2006
• Published: 03/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Arxviva, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Arxviva, Inc.
• Inventors: Yasnoff, William
• Application Number:
  US11/533,209
• Publication Number:
  US 20070067190A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/3
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records

Abstract

One provides (102) an opportunity for an information-processing entity to submit medically-related information regarding individuals. Upon receiving (103) such information from such an information-possessing entity, one then arranges (104) for the digital storage of such medically-related information as well as corresponding compensation to be provided (105) to the information-possessing entity for having provided such information. By one approach these teachings will further accommodate receiving (101) consideration from any of a variety of entities. This consideration can serve, at least in part, as a source for the aforementioned compensation.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing an opportunity for an information-possessing entity to submit medically-related information regarding at least a first individual;

receiving the medically-related information from the information-possessing entity to provide received medically-related information;

arranging for digital storage of the received medically-related information;

arranging for the information-possessing entity to receive compensation in exchange for the information-possessing entity having provided the medically-related information.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein providing an opportunity for an information-possessing entity to submit medically-related information regarding at least a first individual comprises, at least in part, providing an extranet-based opportunity.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the extranet-based opportunity comprises an Internet-based opportunity.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the Internet-based opportunity comprises a browser-based opportunity.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the information-possessing entity comprises at least one of:

a medical services provider;

the first individual;

a provider of medical insurance services;

a provider of pharmacological services;

a prescription processing clearinghouse;

a provider of long-term care;

a provider of home health care;

a provider of ambulance services;

a provider of emergency medical services;

a provider of disease management services;

a provider of hospice services.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the medically-related information comprises at least one of:

diagnostic information;

treatment-related information;

prescription-related information;

patient-based information;

accident information;

injury information;

medical services provider information;

medical history information;

medical outcomes information;

an update to existing medically-related information;

a correction to existing medically-related information.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the medically-related information from the information-possessing entity comprises receiving the medically-related information from the information-possessing entity via an extranet.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the medically-related information from the information-possessing entity comprises receiving the medically-related information as at least one of:

a batch transfer of informational content as pertains to a plurality of individuals;

a discrete transfer of informational content as pertains only to a single individual.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein arranging for digital storage of the received medically-related information comprises arranging for digital storage of the received medically-related information at a central repository.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein arranging for digital storage of the received medically-related information comprises arranging for digital storage of the received medically-related information at a plurality of distributed storage locations.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein arranging for the information-possessing entity to receive compensation comprises arranging for the information-possessing entity to receive compensation via at least one of:

a substantially immediate transaction;

a periodic transaction;

a per-event transaction;

a batched-event transaction.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein providing an opportunity for an information-possessing entity to submit medically-related information regarding at least a first individual comprises providing an opportunity for an information-possessing entity to submit medically-related information regarding only individuals who have authorized provision of the medically-related information.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving consideration from an entity.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein arranging for the information-possessing entity to receive compensation in exchange for the information-possessing entity having provided the medically-related information comprises using the consideration to form, at least in part, the compensation.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein receiving consideration from an entity comprises receiving the consideration from at least one of:

the at least one individual;

an employer of the at least one individual;

a medical services benefits provider;

a medical services benefits administrator;

a governmental entity.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the consideration comprises at least one:

monetary consideration;

non-monetary consideration.

17. An apparatus comprising:

a compensation-provision interface;

an information-provider interface;

a processor operably coupled to the digital memory, the compensation-provision interface, and the information-provider interface and being configured and arranged, at least in part, to;

provide an opportunity via the information-provider interface for an information-possessing entity to submit medically-related information regarding at least a first individual;

receive, via the information-provider interface, the medically-related information from the information-possessing entity to provide received medically-related information;

arrange for digital storage of the received medically-related information;

arrange, using the compensation-provision interface, for the information-possessing entity to receive compensation in exchange for the information-possessing entity having provided the medically-related information.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising:

a digital memory operably coupled to the processor for storing information as corresponds to the received medically-related information;

and wherein the processor is further configured and arranged to provide for digital storage of the received medically-related information, at least in part, using the digital memory.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising:

a digital memory operably coupled to the processor for storing information regarding consideration that has been received to facilitate offsetting, at least in part, the compensation being offered to the information-possession entity.