Classifying, disabling and transmitting form fields in response to data entry

• US 7,409,632 B1
• Filed: 09/25/2001
• Issued: 08/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Integrated Claims Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: Integrated Claims Systems LLC
• Inventors: DiRienzo, Andrew L
• Primary Examiner(s): Paula; Cesar B
• Application Number:
  US09/961,308
• Time in Patent Office: 2,506 Days
• Field of Search: 715503-508, 715/700, 715/530, 715/500, 715221-226, 715216-218, 715707-708, 705 2- 6
• US Class Current: 715/226
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/025 Coordination of plural reservations, e.g. plural trip segments, transportation combined with accommodation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms

Abstract

An attachment integrated claims (AIC) system includes an e-mail form (with specific fields that must be filled out) that adjusts itself, in both information required and formatting, to meet the demands of the receiving party. It is particularly advantageous for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) situations where a user must send similar (but not necessarily identical) messages to several organizations. This is particularly important where, once an e-mail is received by those organizations, the information in the message must be digitally integrated into differing legacy information systems. In other words, the AIC system permits transmission of a dynamic claim form and integrated attachment to an insurance carrier via a non-clearinghouse communications channel. An AIC system including several computers connected via a communications channel, an electronic file, and an operating method therefor are also described.

Claims

1. A computer system configured through computer software

to present a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising two disjoint sets of labeled fields, a first set and a second set, wherein both the first and second sets are non-empty sets, and

to generate a file from data entered into at least some of the labeled fields,

wherein the computer software is adapted to cause the computer system to construct the generated file by taking the following actions:

establishing in the GUI, responsive to entry of first data into the first set of labeled fields, a first subset and a second subset of the second set of labeled fields,

wherein the first subset of the second set of labeled fields is allowed to accept second data and the first subset of the second set of labeled fields contains at least one labeled field, and

wherein the second subset of the second set of labeled fields is inhibited from accepting data, and

assigning each field of the second set of labeled fields to one or the other of the first subset and the second subset of the second set of labeled fields, on the basis of which set of criteria, in a predetermined plurality of sets of criteria, is satisfied by the first data entered into the first set of labeled fields, and

wherein the generated file comprises individually identifiable data fields and wherein at least some of the individually identifiable data fields are filled with first data or second data.

2. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first set of labeled fields contains two fields.

3. The computer system as recited in claim 2, wherein the first set of labeled fields contains at least two fields with one of the fields identifying a health insurance payer and one of the fields identifying a medical procedure.

4. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one field of the first subset of the second set of labeled fields is automatically filled in when data is entered into the first set of labeled fields.

5. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the data entered into at least one field in the GUI is automatically transferred to a field in another software application.

6. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the file created is a health insurance claim.

7. The computer system as recited in claim 6, wherein the software is integrated with a health care provider'"'"'s practice management software.

8. A computer system configured through computer software

to present a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising two disjoint sets of labeled fields, a first set and a second set,

wherein both the first and second sets are non-empty sets, and

wherein the labeled fields belonging to the first set are allowed to accept first data, and the labeled fields belonging to second set are allowed to accept second data, and

to generate a file, transmittable to a selected one of M possible recipients, from data entered into at least some of the labeled fields,

wherein the file format for the generated file is selected from a predetermined set of R file formats on the basis of which set of criteria, in a predetermined plurality of sets of criteria, is satisfied by the first data entered into the first set of labeled fields,

wherein the generated file comprises individually identifiable data fields and wherein at least some of the individually identifiable data fields are filled with first data or second data, and

wherein R is an integer equal to or greater than two and M is an integer equal to or greater than two.

9. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein the selected one of the M recipients is selected by entering an unique identifier corresponding to the selected one of the M recipients into a field in the first set of labeled fields.

10. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein each of the M recipients has associated therewith a unique portion of the computer software.

11. The computer system as recited in claim 10, wherein the unique portion of the computer software associated with each of the M recipients contains information specifying the file format to be used for files generated for transmission to that recipient.

12. The computer system as recited in claim 11, wherein the computer system is further configured to generate the file using the file format specified for the selected one of the M recipients in response to entering the unique identifier corresponding to the selected one of the M recipients into a field in the first set of labeled fields.

13. The computer system as recited in claim 10, wherein the unique portion of the computer software associated with each of the M recipients is updated:

as the file requirements of that particular recipient change;

independent of the other M recipients; and

independent of a sender of the transmitted file.

14. The computer system as recited in claim 10, wherein the unique portion of the computer software associated with each of the M recipients is accessed and updated by that recipient independently of the remaining M recipients and independently of a sender of the transmitted file.

15. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein at least some of the data in the identifiable fields of the transmittable file generated can be digitally transferred from the generated file to associated fields of a software application at the selected one of the M recipients.

16. The computer system as recited in claim 15, wherein at least some of the data in the identifiable fields of the transmittable file generated can be digitally transferred from the generated file to associated fields of a software application at the selected one of the M recipients without imposing a standard on the transmittable file which forces every one of the M recipients to accept files with the same file format as files generated for all the other M recipients.

17. The computer system as recited in claim 15, wherein a sender of the transmitted file can generate the transmittable file wherein at least some of the data in the identifiable fields of the transmittable file generated can be digitally transferred from the generated file to associated fields of a software application at the selected one of the M without said recipient divulging to the sender specifications of its information system.

18. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein the M recipients and a sender of the transmitted file operate independent computer systems.

19. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein the GUI provides a single universal interface between a sender of the transmitted file and the M recipients.

20. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein the computer software resides on a personal computer operated by a sender of the transmitted file.

21. The computer system as recited in claim 20, wherein the computer software is automatically updated whenever the file is transmitted to the one of the M recipients.

22. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein the computer software resides at a value added service on a server computer accessible to a sender of the transmitted file via the Internet.

23. The computer system as recited in claim 22, wherein the generated file is transmitted from the server to the selected one of the M recipients.

24. The computer system as recited in claim 22, wherein the generated file is archived on a computer permitting access to the server.

25. The computer system as recited in claim 22, wherein:

the file is completed on the server;

the completed file is downloaded to the accessing computer; and

the completed file is transmitted to the chosen one of the M recipients from the accessing computer.

26. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein a first portion of the second set of labeled fields is automatically filled in with data when the file is opened.

27. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein a second portion of the second set of labeled fields is automatically filled in with data when data is entered into the first set of labeled fields.

28. The computer system as recited in claim 8, where the file generated is a transaction file to be transmitted to a selected one of the M recipients.

29. The computer system as recited in claim 28, wherein the generated file corresponds to a health insurance claim form.

30. The computer system as recited in claim 29, wherein at least one of the fields of the second set of labeled fields requests a health insurance claim form attachment.

31. The computer system as recited in claim 29, wherein:

the first set of labeled fields contains at least two fields

wherein a first labeled field requests a unique identifier associated with a health insurance payer and

wherein a second labeled field requests a unique code associated with a medical procedure.

32. The computer system as recited in claim 31, wherein once the first and second labeled fields of the first set of fields have been populated with respective data, the remaining labeled fields of the GUI identify additional data the identified health insurance payer requires to support the claim for the specified medical procedure.

33. The computer system as recited in claim 29, wherein the software is integrated with a health care provider'"'"'s practice management software.

34. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein at least one of the labeled fields of the second set of labeled fields accepts a computer file.

35. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein at least one of the labeled fields of the second set of labeled fields accepts a digital image.

36. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein at least one of the labeled fields of the second set of labeled fields accepts a word processor document.

37. The computer system recited in claim 8, wherein at least one of the labeled fields of the second set of labeled fields accepts a digital graph.

38. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein at least one of the labeled fields of the second set of labeled fields accepts a digital sound recording.

39. The computer system as recited in claim 8, where at least one of the labeled fields of the second set of labeled fields accepts a digitized video signal.

40. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein first and second files generated during first and second sessions initiated by a user have first and second file formats permitting at least some of the data in the respective identifiable fields to be transferred to associated fields in software applications operated by first and second ones of the M recipients, respectively.

41. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein there is a one-to-one mapping between each individually identifiable field of the generated file containing first data or second data and a filled labeled field of the GUI.

42. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein the data from at least one of the filled labeled fields is automatically transferred to a field in another software application.

43. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein the software contains the information requirements of the M recipients.

44. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein at least some of the sets of criteria are determined by the M recipients.

45. A computer system configured through computer software

to present a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising two disjoint sets of labeled fields, a first set and a second set, wherein both the first and second sets are non-empty sets,

to generate a file, transmittable to a selected one of M possible recipients, from data entered into at least some of the labeled fields,

wherein the computer software is adapted to cause the computer system to construct the generated file by taking the following actions:

establishing in the GUI, responsive to entry of first data into the first set of labeled fields, a first subset and a second subset of the second set of labeled fields,

wherein the first subset of the second set of labeled fields is allowed to accept second data and the first subset of the second set of labeled fields contains at least one labeled field, and

wherein the second subset of the second set of labeled fields is inhibited from accepting data, and

assigning each field of the second set of labeled fields to one or the other of the first subset and the second subset of the second set of labeled fields, on the basis of which set of criteria, in a first predetermined plurality of sets of criteria, is satisfied by the first data entered into the first set of labeled fields, and

specifying in response to the first data entered into the first set of labeled fields, a file format for the generated file,

wherein the file format for the generated file is selected from a predetermined set of R file formats on the basis of which set of criteria, in a second predetermined plurality of sets of criteria, is satisfied by the first data entered into the first set of labeled fields,

wherein the generated file comprises individually identifiable data fields and wherein at least some of the individually identifiable data fields are filled with first data or second data, and

wherein R is an integer equal to or greater than two and M is an integer equal to or greater than two.

46. The computer system as recited in claim 45, wherein the selected one of the M recipients is selected by entering a unique identifier corresponding to the selected one of the M recipients into a field in the first set of labeled fields.

47. The computer system as recited in claim 45, wherein each of the M recipients has associated therewith a unique portion of the computer software.

48. The computer system as recited in claim 47, wherein the unique portion of the computer software associated with each of the M recipients contains information specifying the file format to be used for files generated for transmission to that recipient and it contains information specifying which of the labeled fields in the second set of labeled fields are to be in the first subset of the second set of labeled fields for files generated for transmission to that recipient.

49. The computer system as recited in claim 47, wherein the unique portion of the computer software associated with each of the M recipients is updated:

as the file requirements of that particular recipient changes;

independent of the other M recipients; and

independent of a sender of the transmitted file.

50. The computer system as recited in claim 47, wherein the unique portion of the computer software associated with each of the M recipients is accessed and updated by that recipient independently of the remaining M recipients and independently of a sender of the transmitted file.

51. The computer system as recited in claim 45, wherein at least some of the data in the identifiable fields of the transmittable file generated can be digitally transferred from the generated file to associated fields of a software application at the selected one of the M recipients.

52. The computer system as recited in claim 51, wherein at least some of the data in the identifiable fields of the transmittable file generated can be digitally transferred from the generated file to associated fields of a software application at the selected one of the M recipients without imposing a standard on the transmittable file which forces every one of the M recipients to accept files with the same format and the same individually identifiable fields as files generated for all the other M recipients.

53. The computer system as recited in claim 51, wherein a sender of the transmitted file can generate the transmittable file such that at least some of the data in the identifiable fields of the transmittable file can be digitally transferred from the generated file to associated fields of a software application at the selected one of the M recipients without said recipient divulging to the sender specifications of its information system.

54. The computer system as recited in claim 45, wherein the M recipients and sender of the transmitted file operate independent computer systems.

55. The computer system as recited in claim 45, wherein the GUI provides a single universal interface between sender of the transmitted file and the M recipients.

56. The computer system as recited in claim 45, wherein the computer software resides on a personal computer operated by a sender of the transmitted file.

57. The computer system as recited in claim 56, wherein the computer software is automatically updated whenever the file is transmitted to the one of the M recipients.

58. The computer system as recited in claim 45, wherein the computer software resides at a value added service on a server computer accessible to a sender of the transmitted file via the Internet.

59. The computer system as recited in claim 58, wherein the file generated is transmitted from the server to the selected one of the M recipients.

60. The computer system as recited in claim 58, wherein the generated file is archived on a computer permitting access to the server.

61. The computer system as recited in claim 45, wherein a first portion of the first subset of the second set of labeled fields is automatically filled in with data when the file is opened.

62. The computer system as recited in claim 45, wherein a second portion of the first subset of the second set of labeled fields is automatically filled in with data when data is entered into the first set of labeled fields.

63. The computer system as recited in claim 45, where the generated file is a transaction file to be transmitted to a selected one of the M recipients.

64. The computer system as recited in claim 45, wherein the generated file corresponds to a health insurance claim form.

65. The computer system as recited in claim 64, wherein at least one of the labeled fields of the first subset of the second set of labeled fields requests a health insurance claim form attachment.

66. The computer system as recited in claim 65, wherein the health insurance claim form attachment requested comprises one or more of the following:

x-rays, CTs, MRIs, EKGs, EEGs, strip charts, digitized video signals, transcriptions of Operating Room Notes, or additional ASCII text.

67. The computer system as recited in claim 64, wherein:

the first set of labeled fields contains at least two labeled fields

wherein a first labeled field requests a unique identifier associated with a health insurance payer and

wherein a second labeled field request a unique code associated with a medical procedure.

68. The computer system as recited in claim 67, wherein once the first and second labeled fields of the first set of labeled fields have been populated with respective data, the remaining labeled fields of the first subset of the second set of labeled fields identify additional data the health insurance payer requires to support a claim for the specified medical procedure.

69. The computer system as recited in claim 45, wherein at least one of the labeled fields of the first subset of the second set of labeled fields accepts a computer file.

70. The computer system as recited in claim 45, wherein at least one of the labeled fields of the first subset of the second set of labeled fields accepts a digital image.

71. The computer system as recited in claim 45, wherein at least one of the labeled fields of the first subset of the second set of labeled fields accepts a word processor document.

72. The computer system as recited in claim 45, wherein at least one of the labeled fields of the first subset of the second set of labeled fields accepts a digital graph.

73. The computer system as recited in claim 45, wherein at least one of the labeled fields of the first subset of the second set of labeled fields accepts a digital sound recording.

74. The computer system as recited in claim 45, wherein at least one of the labeled fields of the first subset of the second set of labeled fields accepts a digitized video signal.

75. The computer system as recited in claim 45, wherein there is a one-to-one mapping between each individually identifiable field of the generated file containing first data or second data and a filled labeled field of the GUI.

76. The computer system as recited in claim 45, wherein the data entered into at least one field in the GUI is automatically transferred to a field in another software application.

77. The computer system as recited in claim 45, wherein the software is integrated with health-care-provider practice management software.

78. The computer system as recited in claim 45, wherein the software contains the information requirements of the M recipients.

79. The computer system as recited in claim 45, wherein at least some of the sets of criteria are determined responsive to the information demands of the M recipients.

80. The computer system as recited in claim 79, wherein the software displays one or more messages in the GUI which instruct that the data to be entered into the labeled fields be the data required by the identified recipient, wherein each message displayed in the GUI is selected by a logic control device in the software, on the basis of which set of criteria, in a predetermined plurality of sets of criteria, is satisfied by the data entered into at least some of the labeled fields.