Abstract: A user categorization system and method is disclosed. The user categorization system and method relies on server data to discover which users are consuming the finite resources of the server and in what proportions. Users are categorized according to their consumption of resources. The user categorization system and method further ascribes a relative business value to each user group to facilitate the allocation of resources among groups. In an example embodiment, users of the server resources use the SAS programming language and the server resources execute SAS applications that support the SAS programming language. The user categorization system and method connects an executed computer program to a business-defined classification of applicability to purpose. The system and method employs a double level of abstraction to link specific programming styles, first to a general solution case (“design pattern”), and then to link the general solution idiomatically to the business case.

Abstract: A hydration level measurement system and method comprising a technology embedded scale that rewards individuals for drinking an appropriate amount of liquid throughout the day. In an example embodiment, a reusable water bottle is equipped with an RFID tag and assigned to an individual so that the user's hydration level may be tracked. The RFID tag logs the individual's access as well as “before-filling” and “after-filling” weights of the bottle when placed on the scale. A computer screen acknowledges the bottle's owner, and then indicates the increased weight and how many points will be awarded to the user using an ounces-to-points conversion. Data may be transferred from the scale computer to a web server and aggregated at the server from multiple scales for multiple “hydration challenges.” A web application receives and processes user requests to display data related to each hydration challenge such as the current scores of the participants.

Abstract: A fitness challenge program designed to encourage physical activity as well as to entertain and engage participants. Individuals are organized into teams and compete individually as well as against other teams. The program incorporates the use of computer technology to record physical activity and track progress for individuals as well as their teams. The individual and team activity information is posted to a web site accessible to the participants. Each participant has an account and can access his or her activity data through the web site. Team progress can also be viewed in the form of activity level data as well as movement to various locations associated with activity levels. The program incorporates educational content that is tied to team progress in the challenge. The program may be organized and administered through the middle schools that student participants attend.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for measuring physical activity to advance play in a game. In example embodiments, a cell phone generates a screen display and the game is played through the mobile device. The measurement of physical activity progresses the player through the game by progressing the player through “game days,” by permitting the player to travel from a current location to another location on a map of the game, by earning rewards points for the player that may be utilized in game play, etc. A specified number of steps equates with a game day and a complete game is measured in game days. The device tracks physical activity, related game days, and completion of games. During a game day, a player advances in the game as well as encounters challenges and obstacles and may be prompted to make other decisions related to the game play.

Abstract: A health care plan system and method designed to reduce future claims costs through financial incentives with member engagement metrics. Targets are pre-set for member engagement metrics. Claims cost targets for the sponsor are set based on the sponsor meeting member engagement targets. A percentage of health care plan base administrative fees are at risk based on the sponsor's claims cost performance in relation to the claims cost target. If the claims cost target is missed, the health plan administrator repays or reduces administrative fees charged to the sponsor. If the claims cost target is met, the sponsor pays additional fees to the health plan administrator. Base administrative fees are also repaid or reduced if the health care plan administrator fails to meet service performance targets. The sponsor is appraised on progress of member engagement and service performance metrics through scorecards that are sent during the plan year.

Abstract: A computerized health behavior reward system and method is disclosed. Engagement of rewards program members is based on rewards for participation in a variety of health activities. Health activities are recommended to members based on demographic and health profile information and include general health activities such as participation in fitness programs as well as disease management and clinical programs, educational campaigns, online, interactive, and social networking activities, and community based activities. Each activity may relate to a particular participation event so that members are rewarded for enrolling in a program as well as for ongoing participation. Members earn points for each health activity in which they participate. The points are accumulated in a rewards account accessible from a web site portal and can be redeemed.

Abstract: An interactive biometric display system and method for collecting and displaying biometric data. The display system comprises a device for identifying a user and at least one biometric input device (e.g., heart rate sensor). A user provides identifying data via the identifying device and biometric data via the biometric input device. The biometric data (e.g., heartbeat) is measured and recorded with a timestamp. Graphical objects for each user are presented (e.g., a heart) and move around the screen in relation to the biometric data. Attributes of graphical objects (e.g., size, color, color saturation, and height) may vary over time indicating the recency of the data. The display system may further comprise a sound component to play sound related to the biometric data. Visual as well as sound attributes may diminish, fade, or disappear over time and may be refreshed when a new reading for the user is received.

Abstract: A system and method for providing to an individual certain information which is relevant to that individual's health status. More specifically, the invention relates to a system and method for providing information relevant to an individual's health status and wherein the information provided is chosen on the basis of not only the individual's health status but also complex psychosocial behavioral factors related to that individual's motivational structure and likely impact.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for generating CMS-compliant health services delivery (HSD) tables. A database stores health care service provider data. A remote computer user interacts with a server that provides access to the health care service provider data. A user can view health care service provider data that meets selected search parameters. The data is displayed in an interactive worksheet. The user may further cause amendments to be made to the data stored in the database. The user may issue a request to generate an HSD table in “final file format” which conforms to CMS requirements. The server checks for errors in the file and notifies the user of errors that are identified. The server optionally checks for adequacy of the network associated with a plurality of health care service providers. The user may approve the final files for filing with CMS.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for estimating levels of obesity in an insured population using claims data. The model uses health risk assessment data comprising age, height, and weight information as well as information about health conditions and health behaviors for a member population. Claims data is used to train a two-stage model on the member population. The first stage comprises a support vector machine, a rule-based module, and a generalized linear model that estimates the probability of obesity. The second stage comprises a regression neural network that operates on the output of the first stage and a subset of the input feature vector. Cost and utilizations in these areas, along with overall health measures as well as demographics and social factors, are inputs to a set of pattern recognition engines that perform regression. The output is the estimated body mass index of the member.

Abstract: An online game that promotes physical activity by visually representing the comparative biometric data of a group of people. The biometric data may be collected using a variety of biometric devices. Each individual in the group selects an avatar for use in representing the biometric data. The biometric data is transmitted to a server and displayed collectively on a computer screen. Each individual's avatar is displayed on the screen and animated according the biometric data. In an example embodiment in which avatars are fish that are displayed on a fish tank background and the biometric data is steps counted by a pedometer, avatars associated with individuals having a higher step count are positioned above avatars for individuals having a lower step count. Biometric data may be collected from biometric devices at various time intervals and the display updated to reflect the changes in biometric data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a real time account control method and system that allows only eligible and authorized items to be purchased using the account. The present invention relates particularly to healthcare spending accounts such as flexible spending accounts and health reimbursement arrangements. The method can comprise the steps of: establishing at least one account, each account having an account holder; identifying at least one item eligible for purchase using one of the accounts; identifying at least one item authorized for purchase using one of the accounts; and, upon request to purchase an item using one of the accounts, authorizing the purchase for an amount not to exceed an available balance in that account only if the item is both an item identified as eligible for purchase and an item authorized for purchase.

Abstract: A yoga ball controller communicates motion signals to a game console and a video game executing on the game console to progress play of a game in response to the motion signals. An individual positions himself on the yoga ball and begins to move his body. The controller detects the motion of the individual and communicates signals to the console. The game console recognizes the motion and advances the game play. Motion may be detected using various devices such as a stress ball, a motion sensing mat, and a controller attached to the yoga ball using a harness. The video game may be a well-known, entertaining video game such as one involving car racing, combat, exploration, or puzzle solving. By using a subject other than exercise, game play may be seen as more fun by participants thereby encouraging physical activity.

Abstract: An interactive biometric display system and method for collecting and displaying biometric data. The display system comprises a device for identifying a user and at least one biometric input device (e.g., heart rate sensor). A user provides identifying data via the identifying device and biometric data via the biometric input device. The biometric data (e.g., heartbeat) is measured and recorded with a timestamp. Graphical objects for each user are presented (e.g., a heart) and move around the screen in relation to the biometric data. Attributes of graphical objects (e.g., size, color, color saturation, and height) may vary over time indicating the recency of the data. The display system may further comprise a sound component to play sound related to the biometric data. Visual as well as sound attributes may diminish, fade, or disappear over time and may be refreshed when a new reading for the user is received.

Abstract: An online game that promotes healthy behavior by engaging computer users and by providing educational information about health and nutrition. User participation is measured in relation to an avatar of a belly that gains and loses weight according to game play. Users are assigned an avatar according to answers to profile questions. Users earn points by correctly answering health and nutrition questions. When a user answers a question correctly, the player can help him- or herself or “sabotage” a friend. Users also have options to help a friend. The game has consequences for incorrect answers. Updates to a leader board and a message board allow users to see how friends are doing. Social networking aspects of the game keep users engaged and entertained, and therefore, more likely to participate. Participation helps users to increase their knowledge of health and nutrition facts and therefore, their knowledge regarding healthy behaviors.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for generating CMS-compliant health services delivery (HSD) tables. A database stores health care service provider data. A remote computer user interacts with a server that provides access to the health care service provider data. A user can view health care service provider data that meets selected search parameters. The data is displayed in an interactive worksheet. The user may further cause amendments to be made to the data stored in the database. The user may issue a request to generate an HSD table in “final file format” which conforms to CMS requirements. The server checks for errors in the file and notifies the user of errors that are identified. The server optionally checks for adequacy of the network associated with a plurality of health care service providers. The user may approve the final files for filing with CMS.

Abstract: An interactive biometric display system and method for collecting and displaying biometric data. The display system comprises a device for identifying a user and at least one biometric input device (e.g., heart rate sensor). A user provides identifying data via the identifying device and biometric data via the biometric input device. The biometric data (e.g., heartbeat) is measured and recorded with a timestamp. Graphical objects for each user are presented (e.g., a heart) and move around the screen in relation to the biometric data. Attributes of graphical objects (e.g., size, color, color saturation, and height) may vary over time indicating the recency of the data. The display system may further comprise a sound component to play sound related to the biometric data. Visual as well as sound attributes may diminish, fade, or disappear over time and may be refreshed when a new reading for the user is received.

Abstract: A yoga ball controller communicates motion signals to a game console and a video game executing on the game console to progress play of a game in response to the motion signals. An individual positions himself on the yoga ball and begins to move his body. The controller detects the motion of the individual and communicates signals to the console. The game console recognizes the motion and advances the game play. Motion may be detected using various devices such as a stress ball, a motion sensing mat, and a controller attached to the yoga ball using a harness. The video game may be a well-known, entertaining video game such as one involving car racing, combat, exploration, or puzzle solving. By using a subject other than exercise, game play may be seen as more fun by participants thereby encouraging physical activity.

Abstract: A method for providing insurance coverage to a subscriber comprises offering an insurance policy to the subscriber wherein the insurance policy comprises providing allowances to pay for one or more expenses covered by the insurance policy and providing monetary credits to the subscriber for any unused portion of a given allowance where the monetary credits can be used to cover the cost of a subsequent allowed expense. The insurance policy may be a pharmacy benefits plan. The covered expenses may be pharmacy expenses. The allowed expenses may be medical expenses which qualify under Section 213 of the US Internal Revenue Code for payment by an employer without the subscriber having to declare the payment as taxable income.

Abstract: An online application for approving prior authorization requests for prescription drugs. The application is used by pharmacy benefits providers, physicians, and pharmacies to request prior authorizations for drugs and to receive approvals automatically if a requested drug meets authorization criteria. The online application is accessible through a group pharmacy benefits provider portal on a web site. Requests are processed through a pharmacy benefits manager computer that determines whether prior authorization is required and through a pharmacy benefits provider computer when the pharmacy benefits manager computer determines that prior authorization is required. Requests that meet certain authorization criteria are approved automatically. Requests that cannot be approved automatically are submitted for review by a clinical pharmacy review division that access requests through a drug request transaction computer.