Abstract: A system and method for acquiring, compiling and displaying data indicative of healthcare data workflow within an integrated healthcare enterprise simplifies the monitoring and identification of inefficiencies such as bottlenecks in the enterprise. Information gathered from enterprise system components and data files are used to measure individual component performance. System alerts and messaging capabilities allow an enterprise administrator to remedy potential bottlenecks before problems arise. Remedial measures may be programmed into the system to automatically remedy inefficiencies as they are identified.

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: A method for providing a consumer with the ability to access and collect personal health records associated with the consumer in a secure and private manner is provided. The method includes assigning a toll-free phone number individually associated with and dedicated to the consumer for private fax and voice communications from a health care provider, associating access information with the consumer for the consumer to use to access a secure web site, receiving a private fax communication comprising a personal health record associated with the consumer for which the consumer has requested and given permission to the health care provider to send to the toll-free number, converting the private fax communications into an image file format, storing the health record encoded in the image file format, and providing the consumer with secure access to the web site using the access information and providing on the web site an interface to the health records of the consumer for the consumer to access the health record.

Abstract: A method and system for remote diagnostic monitoring of a healthcare device, for example, a patient support system. The system includes a communication device configured to transmit sensor data received from a sensor system coupled to the patient support system and configured to generate sensor data relating to diagnostic information of the healthcare device. The communication device can also be configured to receive configuration data for configuring at least one of the healthcare device and the sensor system. The monitoring device is located geographically distant from the healthcare device, is coupled to the communication adapter by a datalink, for example, a telecommunication network, and is configured to receive the sensor data. The monitoring device is configured to determine, based on the received data, whether service or replacement of the healthcare device or a portion thereof is indicated.

Abstract: A method is provided for providing a user with the ability to access and collect records associated with the user in a secure and private manner. The method includes assigning a phone number to the user for private fax and voice communications from service providers, associating access information with the user for the user to use to access a web site, receiving a private fax communication comprising a record associated with the user for which the user has requested and given permission to the service provider to send to the phone number, converting the private fax communications into an image file format, storing the record encoded in the image file format, and providing the user with access to the web site using the access information and providing on the web site an interface to the records of the user for the user to access the record.

Abstract: A method for providing a consumer with the ability to access and collect health records associated with the consumer through use of a consumer account is provided. The method includes assigning a destination address individually associated with the consumer account for receiving communications from at least one healthcare provider, associating access information with the consumer account for the consumer to use to access a secure web site, the communications including a health record associated with the consumer for which the consumer has requested and given permission to the healthcare provider to send, storing a representation of the health record, and providing the consumer with secure access to the web site using the access information and providing on the web site an interface to the health records of the consumer for the consumer to use. The destination address can be a phone number or an email address.

Abstract: A printer for printing packaging associated with a pharmaceutical product. The printer determines visible information to be provided on the packaging and an identity associated with the pharmaceutical product. The printer uses this to generate coded data including a number of coded data portions, each coded data portion being indicative of the identity. The printer then prints the packaging by printing the coded data and the visible information.

Abstract: A method, system, and software for analyzing third party payments for provider service includes processing third party payment information data and processing provider services billing data provided to the third party to request payment. The method automatically validates provider services billing data against other provider services data and generating a report listing discrepancies between the third party payment information data, the provider services billing data, and the other provider services data.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining when to issue an alert warning to a driver of a vehicle relating to an upcoming stopping location in a road of travel. Wireless messages transmitted from a remote entity to the vehicle are received. The messages contain information such as position data and other data affecting stopping of the vehicle. GPS data relating to instantaneous vehicle position in the road of travel is retrieved. A travel time until the vehicle reaches the stopping location is determined. A determination is made whether the driver has initiated braking. An advance notice period is determined for issuing a warning to the driver to decelerate the vehicle comprising the travel time plus a predetermined reaction time plus a selectable driver configured increment. A sensory warning to the driver of the vehicle is actuated if the advance notice period is less than the travel time and the driver has not initiated braking.

Abstract: A computerized tool and method for delivery of pharmacogenetic and pharmacological information, comprising a core system having algorithms and databases for storing, collating, accessing, cross-referencing, and interpreting genetic and pharmacologic data, with a graphical user interface for a client network of providers of laboratory genetic testing services to access the core services under contract. The system includes “paypoints” in support of improved business models. Included are mechanisms for ‘pass through’ third party and insurance reimbursement for interpretive reports, insurance reimbursement for on-line access to pharmacogenetic information at the point of care, tools for market segmentation, and a conversion tool for capturing new subscribers. Also disclosed are tools and predictive algorithms for preventing drug-drug and drug-gene adverse drug reactions.

Abstract: A method of processing drug prescriptions via a communications network includes registering doctors, pharmacies and patients as participants such that each registered participant's identity is uniquely defined and determinable. Registered doctors from which prescriptions are received via the communications network have their identities authenticated. Each of the received prescriptions indicates a respective registered patient's identity for whom the prescription is intended. Registered patients from which orders are received via the communications network also have their identities authenticated. Each of the received orders indicates the prescription being ordered. The method also includes forwarding the orders to registered pharmacies via the communications network.

Abstract: A data processing technique is provided. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes accessing individual patient deviation maps indicative of a structural difference and a functional difference, respectively, of at least one anatomical region of a patient with respect to standardized reference image data. The method may also include generating a composite patient deviation map indicative of both the structural difference and the functional difference based on at least the individual patient deviation maps, and outputting the composite patient deviation map. Additional methods, systems, and manufactures are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for processing pharmaceutical orders to determine whether a buyer of pharmaceuticals qualifies for an “own use” discount. “Own use” discounts on pharmaceuticals are available for a limited class of buyers under 35 U.S.C. §13c. Under one method, an auditor receives an order for a quantity of pharmaceuticals, receives a report associated with the order containing sufficient information therein to perform an audit on the order, and compares the information found in the order with the information found in the associated report to make a status determination as to whether a buyer qualifies for an “own use” discount. Preferably a second report containing additional audit information is received as well. The auditor can also audit the order by comparing the order to this additional information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for providing insurance coverage to a customer. The method includes providing a field for an input of a limitation relating to a desired insurance coverage. The limitation includes at least one of a time period indication of a time period less than a month and a geographical region indication of a geographical region smaller in size than an entire nation. The method further includes receiving the limitation at a central processor. The method additionally includes performing processing in relation to the limitation to determine whether the desired insurance coverage as restricted by the limitation can be provided. The method further includes sending a confirmation concerning whether the desired insurance coverage corresponding to the limitation can be provided.

Abstract: Computerized methods and systems for permitting clinicians and other healthcare providers to designate performance locations for clinical orders having one or more phases associated therewith, and for presenting order catalog content that is flexed based upon the designated performance location for the clinical order are provided. Further provided are computerized methods and systems for permitting clinicians and other healthcare providers to designate a performance location for each phase of a multi-phase clinical order, and for presenting order catalog content for each phase that is flexed based upon the designated performance location for the phase. Systems and methods for providing control of plan and phase initiation based at least upon a location associated with the chart encounter are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing sample prescriptions electronically and creating a complete data set of information regarding the life-cycle of the sample prescription. In one embodiment, a sample prescription system comprises a management module that stores files corresponding to sample prescriptions. Each corresponding file is linked to a unique sample code. The sample code and linked file together comprise an electronic history of the sample's life-cycle, which is built dynamically over time into a comprehensive code containing all information relevant to a prescribed sample and it's path to consumption.

Abstract: An apparatus for communicating health care data from a sender to a receiver is provided. The apparatus has a first computer system, a second computer system, and a rules engine. The first computer system has health care data stored therein. The second computer system is in operable communication with, and is configured to extract the health care data from, the first computer system. The rules engine normalizes the extracted health care data to a predefined format.

Abstract: Scheduling techniques are disclosed that employ one or more predictive scheduling classification algorithms configured to exploit historical data of previously scheduled and completed medical procedures. Thus, a new patient that is similarly-situated to previously treated patients can have a medical procedure automatically predicted and scheduled based on historical procedure data associated with those previously treated patients.

Abstract: Systems and methods may be provided for alternate pricing. The systems and methods may include receiving first information associated with a first claim transaction, where the first information identifies a first drug, a first quantity of the first drug, and a first price for the first drug, determining a first product classification for the identified first drug, where the first product classification indicates that the identified first drug is a preferred drug, and updating an alternate pricing database with the first price for the first drug. The systems and methods may also include utilizing the alternate database to identify one or more lower-cost alternate drugs that are therapeutic alternatives for a requested drug. Customers may be provided with information regarding the identified lower-cost alternate drugs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for processing phone-in prescription requests. The apparatus is in the form of a prescription processing network that includes a prescription processing system and a communication device remotely located from the prescription processing system. The communication device is used to establish a communication channel with the prescription processing system and submit a prescription request over the communication channel. A pharmacist, associated with the prescription processing system, prepares a completed prescription form based, at least in part, on the submitted prescription request. The prescription processing network also includes a pharmacy for receiving the completed prescription form, and filling the prescription request based on the completed prescription form.