System and method for hierarchically pricing items
First Claim
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1. A computer-assisted method of hierarchical pricing, said method comprising the steps of:
- a. creating a hierarchy comprising a plurality of groups, each said group having at least one procedural code that corresponds to a chargeable item;
b. for each group, sequentially ordering said procedural codes in said group in a first sequential order that provides a comparative value for each of said chargeable items relative to said other chargeable items in said group;
c. for each group, assigning a ranked character to each said procedural code that symbolizes said first sequential order, wherein each said ranked character is derived from a scale having a total population equal to the total number of procedural codes comprising said group;
d. searching said hierarchy for a selected procedural code;
e. identifying all related procedural codes in said group to which said selected procedural code is assigned;
f. performing a computer-assisted search of a healthcare providers chargeable item database to identify all of said procedural codes in said group to which said selected procedural code is assigned;
g. sequentially, by a computer, ordering said procedural codes identified in said chargeable item database in a second sequential order according to price;
h. comparing, by a computer, said first and second sequential orders; and
i. updating, by a computer, a price of said chargeable items in said chargeable item database having said identified procedural codes to price said chargeable items according to said first sequential order.
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Abstract
A computer-assisted method for hierarchically pricing chargeable items in a healthcare provider'"'"'s chargeable item database is disclosed. The method applies hierarchical pricing to related chargeable items. A system for hierarchically pricing related chargeable items is also disclosed.
68 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A computer-assisted method of hierarchical pricing, said method comprising the steps of:
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a. creating a hierarchy comprising a plurality of groups, each said group having at least one procedural code that corresponds to a chargeable item; b. for each group, sequentially ordering said procedural codes in said group in a first sequential order that provides a comparative value for each of said chargeable items relative to said other chargeable items in said group; c. for each group, assigning a ranked character to each said procedural code that symbolizes said first sequential order, wherein each said ranked character is derived from a scale having a total population equal to the total number of procedural codes comprising said group; d. searching said hierarchy for a selected procedural code; e. identifying all related procedural codes in said group to which said selected procedural code is assigned; f. performing a computer-assisted search of a healthcare providers chargeable item database to identify all of said procedural codes in said group to which said selected procedural code is assigned; g. sequentially, by a computer, ordering said procedural codes identified in said chargeable item database in a second sequential order according to price; h. comparing, by a computer, said first and second sequential orders; and i. updating, by a computer, a price of said chargeable items in said chargeable item database having said identified procedural codes to price said chargeable items according to said first sequential order. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A hierarchical pricing system for use by a healthcare provider, said system comprising:
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a. a hierarchy, stored on a computer readable media, comprising a plurality of groups, each said group having at least one procedural code that corresponds to a chargeable item, wherein said procedural codes in each said group are sequentially ordered in a first sequential order that provides a comparative value for each of said chargeable items relative to said other chargeable items in said group, and wherein a ranked character is assigned to each of said chargeable items in each said group that symbolizes said first sequential order, each said ranked character being derived from a scale having a total population equal to the total number of procedural codes comprising said group; and b. a processor configured to; i. search said hierarchy for a selected procedural code; ii. identify all of said procedural codes in said group to which said selected procedural code is assigned; iii. search a healthcare provider'"'"'s chargeable item database to identify all of said procedural codes in said group to which said selected procedural code is assigned; iv. sequentially order said procedural codes identified in said chargeable item database in a second sequential order according to price; v. compare said first and second sequential orders to derive a comparison; and vi. update a price of said chargeable items in said chargeable item database having said identified procedural codes to price said chargeable items according to said first sequential order. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A hierarchical pricing apparatus for use by a healthcare provider, said apparatus comprising:
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a. means for creating a hierarchy comprising a plurality of groups, each said group having at least one procedural code that corresponds to a chargeable item; b. means for sequentially ordering said procedural codes in each said group in a first sequential order that provides a comparative value for each of said items relative to said other items in said group; c. means for assigning a ranked character to each said procedural code in each said group, said ranked character symbolizing said first sequential order, wherein each said ranked character is derived from a scale having a total population equal to the total number of procedural codes comprising said group; d. means for searching said hierarchy for a selected procedural code; e. means for identifying all of said procedural codes in said group to which said selected procedural code is assigned; f. means for searching a healthcare provider'"'"'s chargeable item database to identify all of said procedural codes in said group to which said selected procedural code is assigned; g. means for sequentially ordering said procedural codes identified in said chargeable item database in a second sequential order according to price; h. means for comparing said first and second sequential orders; and i. means for updating a price of said chargeable items in said chargeable item database having said identified procedural codes to price said chargeable items according to said first sequential order. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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30. A computer readable medium having stored therein instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
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a. create a hierarchy comprising a plurality of groups, each said group having at least one procedural code that corresponds to a chargeable item; b. sequentially order said procedural codes each said group in a first sequential order that provides a comparative value for each of said items relative to said other items in said group; c. assign a ranked character to each said procedural code in each said group, said ranked character symbolizing said first sequential order, wherein each said ranked character is derived from a scale having a total population equal to the total number of procedural codes comprising said group; d. search said hierarchy for a selected procedural code; e. identify all of said procedural codes in said group to which said selected procedural code is assigned; f. search a healthcare provider'"'"'s chargeable item database to identify all of said procedural codes in said group to which said selected procedural code is assigned; g. sequentially order said procedural codes identified in said chargeable item database in a second sequential order according to price; h. compare said first and second sequential orders; and i. update a price of said chargeable items in said chargeable item database having said identified procedural codes to price said chargeable items according to said first sequential order. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
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Specification