Abstract: A system and method for permitting a consumer to compare premium estimates form a plurality of insurance providers based on inputting conditions which affect the premium calculation a single time to a network such as the Internet. A user initiates a session by connecting his computer to an insurance comparison website provided by a service underwriter. The user inputs various conditions which might affect the premium for a desired insurance product. The user inputs condition data to condition input screen and sends the condition data to the service underwriter. The service underwriter converts the condition data into a form suitable for a standard interface and sends the formatted data to computers of one or more participating and user selected insurance companies or underwriters. A premium calculation engine at the computer for each insurance company calculates an estimated premium. This, and other pertinent insurance policy data, is displayed to the user.

Abstract: An improved method and system for providing context-sensitive help and interactive search capability in an insurance claims processing system is described. Context-sensitive help for a step in processing an insurance claim may be automatically invoked when entering the step. Alternatively, the user may interactively invoke context-sensitive help once the step is displayed. The insurance claims processing system may display information from a located help table in order of relevance. A search interface may also be provided by the insurance claims processing system.

Abstract: Described is a method and apparatus for automatically quoting, processing, maintaining, claim processing, billing, and renewing life, health and related coverages for clients, especially group clients—without duplicative data entry. An integrated computer system contains several processing modules. The Quoting Engine module produces quotes, maintains and describes coverages available, rates the insurance, and generates a proposal. The Soldcase module administers sales and commission data and provides information regarding the selected coverage to other modules. An Advanced Relational Database Information System module provides billing and premium processing, and administers the payment of commissions. A Document Generator module produces documents such as policies and certificates. A Claims module performs claim adjudication, claim history, and claim payment.

Abstract: Methods and systems for promptly paying health care providers for rendered health care services. A medical technician operating a client computer establishes communication with a remote server. Using a claim form, the technician enters patient, insurance, and treatment information which is transmitted to the server to determine whether the claim is eligible for advance payment. If the claim is eligible, the server transmits claim information to an appropriate carrier for claim processing. The remote server also transmits claim information to a payment entity which requests from a financial entity that funds be credited to an operational account and a reserve account. The funds of the operational account are immediately accessible to the health care provider. The funds of the reserve account are debited for expenses. When the carrier finally processes the claim, any payment for the claim is deposited into the reserve account.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tracking physical assets between a central site and other sites is disclosed. Assets are received at the central site and receive a unique identification number. Their location, at the central site, is recorded in a database. On each movement of an asset, exit of the asset is recorded in the database, as is the intended destination. When the asset arrives at the intended destination, its entry thereto is verified and its current location updated accordingly. In addition to the location information, configuration information (e.g. software build), specific to each asset, is recorded in the database.

Abstract: An integrated system for the administration of insurance companies is disclosed which includes a personal computer, a network and one or more file servers. The system further includes software for performing a plurality of functions which are interconnected and automatic. Manually entered data is verified, integrated into the database and the appropriate functions performed. A built-in audit system allows all transactions to be retrieved and all communications to be documented. A system allows for predefining via an activity scheduler first types of entered data that are processed by an activity processor in real time and second types of entered data that are queued for processing at another time.

Abstract: A digital prescription carrier and monitor system includes a pager sized carrier apparatus with an internal processor, a real-time clock/calendar, non-volatile memory, a communication port, a character display, and alert devices. Prescription data for one or more medications is stored within the carrier by a physician and downloaded by a pharmacist to fill the prescriptions called for. The carrier apparatus requires the entry of an decryption key to access prescription data within the carrier to prevent unauthorized access or tampering with the prescription data. The carrier apparatus also functions as a prescription reminder to the patient and records compliance with the prescription, since a switch must be operated to quiet an alert device activated when a scheduled medication dose is due.

Abstract: A patient apparatus is configured to receive and analyze information regarding patient compliance with anticoagulation medication and self-test coagulation regimens related to anticoagulation therapy. In addition, a patient apparatus is configured to receive data from a patient, including physiological data, pathophysiological data, biological data, psychological data, neuropsychological data, and/or behavioral data. Utilizing the received patient data, a patient apparatus can modify a warfarin regimen using an algorithm contained within the apparatus. The apparatus can communicate the modified warfarin regimen to the patient and to third parties, such as remotely located healthcare providers. In addition, the apparatus can prompt a patient when to perform a self-test and can prompt a patient to seek immediate medical attention, or to directly contact medical help, when so warranted.

Abstract: Information about a patient is electronically handled as records. Access rules determined by the patient are stored in a computer. A first group of individual records are provided access under the access rules to a first group of component fields. A second group of individuals are provided under the access rules to a second group of the component fields. Access to records is selectively provided to personal relations of the patient, health care providers, and accounting or billing personnel.

Abstract: An agent-neutral computerized method for processing administrative data of a medical service provider, including defining standard administrative data formats for use by a medical service provider system, a coordinator system, and a plurality of practice management agent systems, in creating and processing administrative data. The method also includes creating neutral evaluation data for the agent-neutral coordinator system by tracking administrative data transferred between the medical service provider system and the practice management agent systems, wherein the administrative data is in the standard administrative data formats.

Abstract: A system for aiding to make a medical care map includes: a plurality of files for including individual medical care data; a date and time measuring device for measuring a present date and time; a display controlling device for (i) generating main display data to display the medical care data, (ii) selecting one of condition marks set in advance, (iii) generating first sub display data to display the selected condition mark on the care map, (iv) calculating a present position on the care map, and (v) generating second sub display data to display a present mark at the calculated present position on the care map; and a display device for displaying the medical care data on the care map together with the condition mark and the present mark, on the basis of the main display data, the first sub display data and the second sub display data.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting a physician-patient consultation is disclosed wherein the patient is located, at least initially, remotely from the physician. The system includes a first clinic station operable by a physician, a patient station remote from the first clinic station for communicating information relating to the patient, and a second clinic station operable by medical personnel for direct contact with the patient, i.e., conducting a physical examination of the patient. A communications network is also provided which includes a communication link between the first clinic station and the patient station, whereby the fist communication link utilizes an interactive computer network and a second communications link between the second clinic station and the first clinic station. In the method, a first set of patient information is communicated from the patient station to the first clinic station and thus to the physician.

Abstract: A central service facility is connected via a network and a uniform service interactive platform to a multiplicity of remotely located diagnostic systems. The diagnostic system is programmed to provide the equipment user with the ability to create an electronic list of non-urgent service tasks to be performed by a field engineer. The task list is transmitted from the diagnostic system to the service center via the network. The service center subsequently transmits the task list to the assigned field engineer via the same network or via any other available communications channel, e.g., a facsimile or wireless communication. Preferably, the task list is provided to the field engineer prior to an on-site visit based upon a call schedule.

Abstract: A health care information management system uses a pre-existing database of medical specialty claims, such as anesthesia claims, to profile the billing behavior of medical specialist providers, such as anesthesiologists. The software helps the user to determine which of the claims submitted by the providers are within accepted guidelines and industry standards. The software identifies providers who have submitted improper false claims. This is accomplished by comparing submitted claims with a database of histories of prior claims, as well as records of time accumulated data supplied by sources originating from hospitals, physicians and societies. The software incorporates unique triggers, which highlight those claims that indicate possible fraudulent submission. The system develops a profile of a provider's billing behavior and compares it to his peers. The software uses trigger filters to alert the insurance carrier if the provider's billing falls outside of a predetermined norm.