PATIENT-INTERACTIVE HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT

• US 20080059230A1
• Filed: 08/30/2007
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carepartners Plus
• Original Assignee: Carepartners Plus
• Inventors: Minniti, Martha Jean Elizabeth, Manning, Michael G., Rawson, Ian G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,979,286 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• 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

A patient-interactive health care management system provides means for healthcare services rendered by a physician to a patient to be confirmed by the patient immediately after the healthcare services are rendered. The patient is provided the ability to verify the accuracy of an invoice for the rendered services/goods and provide an assessment of the rendered services/goods. In an example embodiment, the patient provides this information via an information station located at the healthcare facility in which the healthcare services/goods are rendered. The information gathered from the patient is provided to the party responsible for paying for the rendered healthcare services/goods. In an example embodiment, the paying party compares the patient provided information with the invoice received from the healthcare provider to assess the accuracy of the invoice.

Claims

1. A patient-interactive method for managing healthcare, the method comprising:

evaluating, by a patient, a rendered healthcare service, wherein the rendered healthcare service is evaluated contemporaneously with the rendered healthcare service; and

providing the evaluation.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the evaluating comprises verifying an accuracy of a cost of the healthcare service.

4. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising storing healthcare related information for tracking at least one of:

durable medical equipment;

or

a prescribed medication.

5. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising providing at least one of:

an indication of a rating of a healthcare provider;

or

an indication of a patient specific healthcare report.

6. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the evaluating comprises assessing a quality of the rendered healthcare service.

7. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the evaluating is performed via at least one of:

an information station located at the healthcare facility;

or

a network.

8. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the evaluating comprises responding to a survey pertaining to the healthcare service.

9. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the evaluation is provided to an entity for paying at least a portion of a cost of the healthcare service.

10. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the evaluation is provided to a healthcare provider in order to change a healthcare related behavior.

11. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

the evaluating comprising generating a list comprising the rendered healthcare service; and

the providing comprising providing the list for comparison with an invoice of the healthcare service.

12. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the evaluating comprising:

generating a list comprising the rendered healthcare service; and

comparing the list with an invoice of the healthcare service.

13. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising conducting a therapeutic intervention with the patient, contemporaneously with the rendered healthcare service.

3. The method in accordance with claim 3, further comprising:

if the cost is determined to be accurate, providing an indication of the cost to an entity for paying at least a portion of the cost; and

if the cost is determined to be inaccurate, correcting the inaccuracy.

14. A patient-interactive system for managing healthcare, the system comprising:

an input/output portion configured to;

receive an evaluation, from a patient, of a rendered healthcare service, wherein the rendered healthcare service is evaluated contemporaneously with the rendered healthcare service; and

provide the evaluation.

15. The system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the evaluation comprises a verification of an accuracy of a cost of the healthcare service.

16. The system in accordance with claim 15, wherein:

the system further comprises a processor portion configured to;

determine if the cost is accurate; and

the input/output portion is further configured to;

if the cost is determined to be accurate, provide an indication of the cost to an entity for paying at least a portion of the cost; and

if the cost is determined to be inaccurate, correct the inaccuracy.

17. The system in accordance with claim 14, the input/output further configured to provide at least one of:

an indication of a rating of a healthcare provider;

or

an indication of a patient specific healthcare report.

18. The system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the evaluation comprises an assessment of a quality of the rendered healthcare service.

19. The system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the evaluation is performed via at least one of:

n information station located at the healthcare facility;

or

a network.

20. The system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the evaluation comprises a response to a survey pertaining to the healthcare service.

21. The system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the evaluation is provided to an entity for paying at least a portion of a cost of the healthcare service.

22. The system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the evaluation is provided to a healthcare provider in order to change a healthcare related behavior.

23. The system in accordance with claim 14, wherein:

the evaluation comprises a list comprising the rendered healthcare service; and

the list is provided for comparison with an invoice of the healthcare service.

24. The system in accordance with claim 14, the input/output portion further configured to provide, to the patient, contemporaneously with the rendered healthcare service, healthcare related educational information.

25. The system in accordance with claim 14, further comprising a memory portion for storing healthcare related information for tracking at least one of:

durable medical equipment;

or

a prescribed medication.