System And Method For Providing Healthcare-Related Services

• US 20080120145A1
• Filed: 11/16/2007
• Published: 05/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daniel J. Prescott
• Original Assignee: Daniel J. Prescott
• Inventors: Prescott, Daniel J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,150,714 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/4
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A system and method for providing healthcare-related services according to which the healthcare-related services include, but are not limited to, health insurance benefit activation services and/or healthcare-related education services.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing a health insurance benefit card to a client of a health insurance company, the health insurance benefit card evidencing a health insurance benefit for the client;

directing the client to take an affirmative action to activate the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card; and

activating the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card in response to the affirmative action taken by the client.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein activating the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card in response to the affirmative action taken by the client comprises:

verifying name and contact data specific to the client;

explaining the health insurance benefit to the client;

explaining to the client how the client can use the health insurance benefit; and

activating the health insurance benefit before the client has used the health insurance benefit.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the affirmative action comprises initiation of communication by the client;

and

wherein verifying name and contact data specific to the client, explaining the health insurance benefit to the client, explaining how the client can use the health insurance benefit, and activating the health insurance benefit before the client has used the health insurance benefit, occurs during the communication initiated by the client.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the initiation of communication comprises one or more of the following:

a telephone call by the client;

an e-mail message from the client; and

a website access by the client.

5. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

conducting a healthcare-related survey with the client during the communication initiated by the client; and

creating a client health profile specific to the client in response to conducting the healthcare-related survey.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

providing healthcare-related services after activating the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card, comprising one or more of the following;

providing healthcare-related education services to the client;

providing healthcare-related marketing services;

providing healthcare-related incentive services; and

providing healthcare-related follow-up services with the client;

wherein one or more of the education, marketing, incentive and follow-up services are at least partially dependent upon the client health profile and thus are specific to the client.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising one or more of the following:

sending risk-assessment survey data to the health insurance company, the risk-assessment data being at least partially dependent upon the client health profile; and

sending one or more program response reports to the health insurance company.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the health insurance benefit card comprises:

a wallet-sized card; and

a peel-off label coupled to the wallet-sized card, the peel-off label comprising one or more instructional messages to the client, the one or more instructional messages comprising;

an instructional message directing the client to take the affirmative action to activate the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the instructional message directing the client to take the affirmative action to activate the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card comprises:

an instructional message directing the client to use a remote user interface to take the affirmative action to activate the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card, the remote user interface comprising at least one of a telephone and a computer;

and

wherein the affirmative action comprises one or more of the following;

using the telephone to call a telephone number;

using the computer to send an e-mail message; and

using the computer to access a website.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein activating the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card in response to the affirmative action taken by the client comprises:

verifying name and contact data specific to the client;

explaining the health insurance benefit to the client;

explaining to the client how the client can use the health insurance benefit; and

activating the health insurance benefit before the client has used the health insurance benefit;

wherein the affirmative action comprises initiation of communication by the client, the initiation of communication comprising one or more of the following;

a telephone call by the client, an e-mail message from the client, and a website access by the client;

wherein verifying name and contact data specific to the client, explaining the health insurance benefit to the client, explaining how the client can use the health insurance benefit, and activating the health insurance benefit before the client has used the health insurance benefit, occurs during the communication initiated by the client;

wherein the method further comprises;

conducting a healthcare-related survey with the client during the communication initiated by the client;

creating a client health profile specific to the client in response to conducting the healthcare-related survey;

sending risk-assessment survey data to the health insurance company, the risk-assessment data being at least partially dependent upon the client health profile;

providing healthcare-related services after activating the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card, comprising one or more of the following;

providing healthcare-related education services to the client;

providing healthcare-related marketing services;

providing healthcare-related incentive services; and

providing healthcare-related follow-up services with the client;

and

sending one or more program response reports to the health insurance company;

wherein one or more of the education, marketing, incentive and follow-up services are at least partially dependent upon the client health profile and thus are specific to the client;

and

wherein the health insurance benefit card comprises;

a wallet-sized card; and

a peel-off label coupled to the wallet-sized card, the peel-off label comprising one or more instructional messages to the client, the one or more instructional messages comprising;

an instructional message directing the client to use a remote user interface to take the affirmative action to activate the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card, the remote user interface comprising at least one of a telephone and a computer.

11. A computer readable medium comprising a plurality of instructions stored therein, the plurality of instructions comprising:

instructions for providing a health insurance benefit card to a client of a health insurance company, the health insurance benefit card evidencing a health insurance benefit for the client;

instructions for directing the client to take an affirmative action to activate the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card; and

instructions for activating the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card in response to the affirmative action taken by the client.

12. The computer readable medium of claim 11 wherein instructions for activating the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card in response to the affirmative action taken by the client comprises:

instructions for verifying name and contact data specific to the client;

instructions for explaining the health insurance benefit to the client;

instructions for explaining to the client how the client can use the health insurance benefit; and

instructions for activating the health insurance benefit before the client has used the health insurance benefit.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 12 wherein the affirmative action comprises initiation of communication by the client;

and

wherein verifying name and contact data specific to the client, explaining the health insurance benefit to the client, explaining how the client can use the health insurance benefit, and activating the health insurance benefit before the client has used the health insurance benefit, occurs during the communication initiated by the client.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 13 wherein the initiation of communication comprises one or more of the following:

a telephone call by the client;

an e-mail message from the client; and

a website access by the client.

15. The computer readable medium of claim 13 wherein the plurality of instructions further comprises:

instructions for conducting a healthcare-related survey with the client during the communication initiated by the client; and

instructions for creating a client health profile specific to the client in response to conducting the healthcare-related survey.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 15 wherein the plurality of instructions further comprises:

instructions for providing healthcare-related services after activating the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card, comprising one or more of the following;

instructions for providing healthcare-related education services to the client;

instructions for providing healthcare-related marketing services;

instructions for providing healthcare-related incentive services; and

instructions for providing healthcare-related follow-up services with the client;

wherein one or more of the education, marketing, incentive and follow-up services are at least partially dependent upon the client health profile and thus are specific to the client.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 15 wherein the plurality of instructions further comprises one or more of the following:

instructions for sending risk-assessment survey data to the health insurance company, the risk-assessment data being at least partially dependent upon the client health profile; and

instructions for sending one or more program response reports to the health insurance company.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 11 wherein the health insurance benefit card comprises:

a wallet-sized card; and

a peel-off label coupled to the wallet-sized card, the peel-off label comprising one or more instructional messages to the client, the one or more instructional messages comprising;

an instructional message directing the client to take the affirmative action to activate the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 18 wherein the instructional message directing the client to take the affirmative action to activate the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card comprises:

an instructional message directing the client to use a remote user interface to take the affirmative action to activate the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card, the remote user interface comprising at least one of a telephone and a computer;

and

wherein the affirmative action comprises one or more of the following;

using the telephone to call a telephone number;

using the computer to send an e-mail message; and

using the computer to access a website.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 11 wherein instructions for activating the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card in response to the affirmative action taken by the client comprises:

instructions for verifying name and contact data specific to the client;

instructions for explaining the health insurance benefit to the client;

instructions for explaining to the client how the client can use the health insurance benefit; and

instructions for activating the health insurance benefit before the client has used the health insurance benefit;

wherein the affirmative action comprises initiation of communication by the client, the initiation of communication comprising one or more of the following;

a telephone call by the client, an e-mail message from the client, and a website access by the client;

wherein verifying name and contact data specific to the client, explaining the health insurance benefit to the client, explaining how the client can use the health insurance benefit, and activating the health insurance benefit before the client has used the health insurance benefit, occurs during the communication initiated by the client;

wherein the plurality of instructions further comprises;

instructions for conducting a healthcare-related survey with the client during the communication initiated by the client;

instructions for creating a client health profile specific to the client in response to conducting the healthcare-related survey;

instructions for sending risk-assessment survey data to the health insurance company, the risk-assessment data being at least partially dependent upon the client health profile;

instructions for providing healthcare-related services after activating the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card, comprising one or more of the following;

instructions for providing healthcare-related education services to the client;

instructions for providing healthcare-related marketing services;

instructions for providing healthcare-related incentive services; and

instructions for providing healthcare-related follow-up services with the client;

and

instructions for sending one or more program response reports to the health insurance company;

wherein one or more of the education, marketing, incentive and follow-up services are at least partially dependent upon the client health profile and thus are specific to the client;

and

wherein the health insurance benefit card comprises;

a wallet-sized card; and

a peel-off label coupled to the wallet-sized card, the peel-off label comprising one or more instructional messages to the client, the one or more instructional messages comprising;

an instructional message directing the client to use a remote user interface to take the affirmative action to activate the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card, the remote user interface comprising at least one of a telephone and a computer.

21. A system comprising:

means for providing a health insurance benefit card to a client of a health insurance company, the health insurance benefit card evidencing a health insurance benefit for the client;

means for directing the client to take an affirmative action to activate the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card; and

means for activating the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card in response to the affirmative action taken by the client.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein means for activating the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card in response to the affirmative action taken by the client comprises:

means for verifying name and contact data specific to the client;

means for explaining the health insurance benefit to the client;

means for explaining to the client how the client can use the health insurance benefit;

and

means for activating the health insurance benefit before the client has used the health insurance benefit.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the affirmative action comprises initiation of communication by the client;

and

wherein verifying name and contact data specific to the client, explaining the health insurance benefit to the client, explaining how the client can use the health insurance benefit, and activating the health insurance benefit before the client has used the health insurance benefit, occurs during the communication initiated by the client.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the initiation of communication comprises one or more of the following:

a telephone call by the client;

an e-mail message from the client; and

a website access by the client.

25. The system of claim 23 further comprising:

means for conducting a healthcare-related survey with the client during the communication initiated by the client; and

means for creating a client health profile specific to the client in response to conducting the healthcare-related survey.

26. The system of claim 25 further comprising:

means for providing healthcare-related services after activating the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card, comprising one or more of the following;

means for providing healthcare-related education services to the client;

means for providing healthcare-related marketing services;

means for providing healthcare-related incentive services; and

means for providing healthcare-related follow-up services with the client;

wherein one or more of the education, marketing, incentive and follow-up services are at least partially dependent upon the client health profile and thus are specific to the client.

27. The system of claim 25 further comprising one or more of the following:

means for sending risk-assessment survey data to the health insurance company, the risk-assessment data being at least partially dependent upon the client health profile; and

means for sending one or more program response reports to the health insurance company.

28. The system of claim 21 wherein the health insurance benefit card comprises:

a wallet-sized card; and

a peel-off label coupled to the wallet-sized card, the peel-off label comprising one or more instructional messages to the client, the one or more instructional messages comprising;

an instructional message directing the client to take the affirmative action to activate the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein the instructional message directing the client to take the affirmative action to activate the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card comprises:

an instructional message directing the client to use a remote user interface to take the affirmative action to activate the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card, the remote user interface comprising at least one of a telephone and a computer;

and

wherein the affirmative action comprises one or more of the following;

using the telephone to call a telephone number;

using the computer to send an e-mail message; and

using the computer to access a website.

30. The system of claim 21 wherein means for activating the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card in response to the affirmative action taken by the client comprises:

means for verifying name and contact data specific to the client;

means for explaining the health insurance benefit to the client;

means for explaining to the client how the client can use the health insurance benefit; and

means for activating the health insurance benefit before the client has used the health insurance benefit;

wherein the affirmative action comprises initiation of communication by the client, the initiation of communication comprising one or more of the following;

a telephone call by the client, an e-mail message from the client, and a website access by the client;

wherein verifying name and contact data specific to the client, explaining the health insurance benefit to the client, explaining how the client can use the health insurance benefit, and activating the health insurance benefit before the client has used the health insurance benefit, occurs during the communication initiated by the client;

wherein the system further comprises;

means for conducting a healthcare-related survey with the client during the communication initiated by the client;

means for creating a client health profile specific to the client in response to conducting the healthcare-related survey;

means for sending risk-assessment survey data to the health insurance company, the risk-assessment data being at least partially dependent upon the client health profile;

means for providing healthcare-related services after activating the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card, comprising one or more of the following;

means for providing healthcare-related education services to the client;

means for providing healthcare-related marketing services;

means for providing healthcare-related incentive services; and

means for providing healthcare-related follow-up services with the client;

and

means for sending one or more program response reports to the health insurance company;

wherein one or more of the education, marketing, incentive and follow-up services are at least partially dependent upon the client health profile and thus are specific to the client;

and

wherein the health insurance benefit card comprises;

a wallet-sized card; and

a peel-off label coupled to the wallet-sized card, the peel-off label comprising one or more instructional messages to the client, the one or more instructional messages comprising;

an instructional message directing the client to use a remote user interface to take the affirmative action to activate the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card, the remote user interface comprising at least one of a telephone and a computer.

31. A system comprising:

a health insurance benefit card for a client of a health insurance company, the health insurance benefit card evidencing a health insurance benefit for the client, the health insurance benefit card comprising;

a wallet-sized card; and

a peel-off label coupled to the wallet-sized card, the peel-off label comprising one or more instructional messages to the client, the one or more instructional messages comprising;

an instructional message directing the client to activate the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card.

32. The system of claim 31 further comprising:

a remote user interface;

wherein the instructional message directing the client to activate the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card comprises;

an instructional message directing the client to use the remote user interface to activate the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card.

33. The system of claim 32 wherein the remote user interface comprises at least one of a telephone and a computer;

and

wherein the instructional message directing the client to use the remote user interface to activate the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card comprises one or more of the following;

an instructional message directing the client to call a telephone number to activate the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card;

an instructional message directing the client to send an e-mail message to activate the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card; and

an instructional message directing the client to access a website to activate the health insurance benefit evidenced by the health insurance benefit card.

34. The system of claim 33 further comprising:

a computer operably coupled to the remote user interface via a network;

a computer readable medium operably coupled to the computer; and

a database stored in the computer readable medium, the database comprising data specific to the client, the data specific to the client comprising;

name and contact data; and

one or more following;

healthcare needs data;

lifestyle survey data; and

risk-assessment survey data.