Patents by Inventor Frederick Howe

Frederick Howe has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11865199
    Abstract: A method is disclosed whereby consumers enrolled in a prescription benefit plan can obtain prescription medication fulfillment at any participating pharmacy of their choice, regardless of whether the fulfillment is by a retail pharmacy or a mail order pharmacy, and whether the quantity of medication prescribed is for administration over a short period (acute care) or a prolonged period (maintenance). The plan of this invention operates by having the plan manager substantially equalize the financial effects of the discounts and services fees allowed to participating pharmacies such that both retail and mail order pharmacies are compensated in a manner which encourages them to accept all consumers and fill all prescriptions. Compensation is preferably adjusted periodically by the manager to retain pharmacy incentives. Consumers obtain choice of pharmacies, plan payers have pleased employees and members and pharmacies obtain income from the entire spectrum of consumers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: MEDIMPACT HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: William J. Barre, Dale R. Brown, Frederick Howe
  • Publication number: 20230419273
    Abstract: A method for electronically determining patient medical treatment eligibility, coverage, copayment amount and insurer billing simultaneously, by: (a) a patient requesting medical treatment at a retail clinic; (b) the patient presenting a health insurance card at the retail clinic; (c) the retail clinic transmitting patient health insurance card information to a centralized adjudication facility; (d) the retail clinic transmitting medical treatment information to the centralized adjudication facility; (e) the centralized adjudication facility determining patient medical treatment coverage, eligibility and copayment amount (f) transmitting the patient medical treatment coverage, eligibility and copayment amount from the centralized adjudication facility to the retail clinic; (g) the patient purchasing the medical treatment by paying the retail clinic the copayment amount, (h) transmitting a bill to the health care insurance provider; and (i) thereby informing the retail clinic clinician to sell the medical trea
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Dale R. Brown, William J. Barre, Frederick Howe
  • Patent number: 11790329
    Abstract: A method for electronically determining patient medical treatment eligibility, coverage, copayment amount and insurer billing simultaneously, by: (a) a patient requesting medical treatment at a retail clinic; (b) the patient presenting a health insurance card at the retail clinic; (c) the retail clinic transmitting patient health insurance card information to a centralized adjudication facility; (d) the retail clinic transmitting medical treatment information to the centralized adjudication facility; (e) the centralized adjudication facility determining patient medical treatment coverage, eligibility and copayment amount (f) transmitting the patient medical treatment coverage, eligibility and copayment amount from the centralized adjudication facility to the retail clinic; (g) the patient purchasing the medical treatment by paying the retail clinic the copayment amount, (h) transmitting a bill to the health care insurance provider; and (i) thereby informing the retail clinic clinician to sell the medical trea
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: MedImpact Healthcare Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Brown, William J. Barre, Frederick Howe
  • Publication number: 20220391858
    Abstract: A method for electronically determining patient medical treatment eligibility, coverage, copayment amount and insurer billing simultaneously, by: (a) a patient requesting medical treatment at a retail clinic; (b) the patient presenting a health insurance card at the retail clinic; (c) the retail clinic transmitting patient health insurance card information to a centralized adjudication facility; (d) the retail clinic transmitting medical treatment information to the centralized adjudication facility; (e) the centralized adjudication facility determining patient medical treatment coverage, eligibility and copayment amount (f) transmitting the patient medical treatment coverage, eligibility and copayment amount from the centralized adjudication facility to the retail clinic; (g) the patient purchasing the medical treatment by paying the retail clinic the copayment amount, (h) transmitting a bill to the health care insurance provider; and (i) thereby informing the retail clinic clinician to sell the medical trea
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Dale R. Brown, William J. Barre, Frederick Howe
  • Patent number: 11507927
    Abstract: A method for electronically determining patient medical treatment eligibility, coverage, copayment amount and insurer billing, by: (a) a patient requesting medical treatment at a retail clinic; (b) the patient presenting a health insurance card at the retail clinic; (c) the retail clinic transmitting patient health insurance card information to a centralized adjudication facility; (d) the retail clinic transmitting medical treatment information to the centralized adjudication facility; (e) the centralized adjudication facility determining patient medical treatment coverage, eligibility and copayment amount (f) transmitting the patient medical treatment coverage, eligibility and copayment amount from the centralized adjudication facility to the retail clinic; (g) the patient purchasing the medical treatment by paying the retail clinic the copayment amount, (h) transmitting a bill to the health care insurance provider; and (i) thereby informing the retail clinic clinician to sell the medical treatment to the pa
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: MedImpact Healthcare Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Brown, William J. Barre, Frederick Howe
  • Publication number: 20220344021
    Abstract: Systems, devices, non-transitory computer storage mediums, and methods are described herein for pharmaceutical benefits management including routing pharmaceutical claims over a computer network. The system includes a computer network and a client device communicatively coupled to the computer network. The client device is configured to receive order information representative of a prescription drug prescribed for a consumer. The system includes a communications switch configured to derive a processor control number associated with the order information and route the order information based on the processor control number. The system includes a pharmaceutical benefits manager configured to authorize the prescription drug with the reimbursement based on the processor control number and configured to transmit the authorization with the reimbursement to the client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: William J. Barre, Dale R. Brown, Frederick Howe
  • Publication number: 20200364679
    Abstract: A method for electronically determining patient medical treatment eligibility, coverage, copayment amount and insurer billing, by: (a) a patient requesting medical treatment at a retail clinic; (b) the patient presenting a health insurance card at the retail clinic; (c) the retail clinic transmitting patient health insurance card information to a centralized adjudication facility; (d) the retail clinic transmitting medical treatment information to the centralized adjudication facility; (e) the centralized adjudication facility determining patient medical treatment coverage, eligibility and copayment amount (f) transmitting the patient medical treatment coverage, eligibility and copayment amount from the centralized adjudication facility to the retail clinic; (g) the patient purchasing the medical treatment by paying the retail clinic the copayment amount, (h) transmitting a bill to the health care insurance provider; and (i) thereby informing the retail clinic clinician to sell the medical treatment to the pa
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Dale R. Brown, William J. Barre, Frederick Howe
  • Publication number: 20190050829
    Abstract: A method for electronically determining patient medical treatment eligibility, coverage, copayment amount and insurer billing, by: (a) a patient requesting medical treatment at a retail clinic; (b) the patient presenting a health insurance card at the retail clinic; (c) the retail clinic transmitting patient health insurance card information to a centralized adjudication facility; (d) the retail clinic transmitting medical treatment information to the centralized adjudication facility; (e) the centralized adjudication facility determining patient medical treatment coverage, eligibility and copayment amount (f) transmitting the patient medical treatment coverage, eligibility and copayment amount from the centralized adjudication facility to the retail clinic; (g) the patient purchasing the medical treatment by paying the retail clinic the copayment amount, (h) transmitting a bill to the health care insurance provider; and (i) thereby informing the retail clinic clinician to sell the medical treatment to the pa
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: MEDIMPACT HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Dale R. Brown, William J. Barre, Frederick Howe
  • Patent number: 8265950
    Abstract: A method of processing drug claims, by: (a) receiving a claim; (b) sorting the claim for processing by determining which processed drug list the claim belongs with; and then (c) processing the claim according to the particular processed drug list to which the claim belongs. A hierarchy of drug lists are used in a preferred order. If the drug is found on the first drug list, the system then moves directly to the processing stage. However, if the drug is not found on the first list, the system checks whether the drug is on the second drug list. If the drug is found on the second drug list, the system then moves directly to the processing stage, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: MedImpact Healthcare Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick Howe, Paul M. Momita
  • Patent number: 8069059
    Abstract: A method is disclosed by which pharmacies and physicians are encouraged to select appropriate and effective medications but dissuaded from selecting higher priced medications where more economical versions are available as alternatives, but where physicians and patients can also select such higher priced medications if they so choose and are prepared to pay that higher price. Under this system a single representative price (capitation rate) is calculated by a prescription payment plan manager for a group of related medications, usually including both branded and generic, and that price is paid to a pharmacy for all prescriptions of that group of medications fulfilled under the plan. The representative prices for different groups, including their minimum levels, are periodically reviewed and updated as appropriate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Medimpact Healthcare Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick Howe, William J. Barre, Michael W. Lyon
  • Publication number: 20100287002
    Abstract: A method is disclosed whereby consumers enrolled in a prescription benefit plan can obtain prescription medication fulfillment at any participating pharmacy of their choice, regardless of whether the fulfillment is by a retail pharmacy or a mail order pharmacy, and whether the quantity of medication prescribed is for administration over a short period (acute care) or a prolonged period (maintenance). The plan of this invention operates by having the plan manager substantially equalize the financial effects of the discounts and services fees allowed to participating pharmacies such that both retail and mail order pharmacies are compensated in a manner which encourages them to accept all consumers and fill all prescriptions. Compensation is preferably adjusted periodically by the manager to retain pharmacy incentives. Consumers obtain choice of pharmacies, plan payers have pleased employees and members and pharmacies obtain income from the entire spectrum of consumers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: MedImpact Healthcare Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Barre, Dale R. Brown, Frederick Howe
  • Publication number: 20100217622
    Abstract: A method for electronically determining patient medical treatment eligibility, coverage, copayment amount and insurer billing, by: (a) a patient requesting medical treatment at a retail clinic; (b) the patient presenting a health insurance card at the retail clinic; (c) the retail clinic transmitting patient health insurance card information to a centralized adjudication facility; (d) the retail clinic transmitting medical treatment information to the centralized adjudication facility; (e) the centralized adjudication facility determining patient medical treatment coverage, eligibility and copayment amount (f) transmitting the patient medical treatment coverage, eligibility and copayment amount from the centralized adjudication facility to the retail clinic; (g) the patient purchasing the medical treatment by paying the retail clinic the copayment amount, (h) transmitting a bill to the health care insurance provider; and (i) thereby informing the retail clinic clinician to sell the medical treatment to the pa
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Dale R. Brown, William J. Barre, Frederick Howe
  • Publication number: 20100161351
    Abstract: A method of processing drug claims, by: (a) receiving a claim; (b) sorting the claim for processing by determining which processed drug list the claim belongs with; and then (c) processing the claim according to the particular processed drug list to which the claim belongs. A hierarchy of drug lists are used in a preferred order. If the drug is found on the first drug list, the system then moves directly to the processing stage. However, if the drug is not found on the first list, the system checks whether the drug is on the second drug list. If the drug is found on the second drug list, the system then moves directly to the processing stage etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Frederick Howe, Paul M. Momita
  • Publication number: 20100057489
    Abstract: A method of operating a health care needs fulfillment system, by: (a) a PBM contracting with a plurality of health care suppliers to fulfill a plurality of health care needs requests; (b) end users sending individual health care needs requests to the PBM; (c) the PBM selecting the health care suppliers to supply each of the end users' individual health care needs requests; and (d) the PBM alerting the selected health care suppliers to fulfill the end users' individual health care needs requests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Frederick Howe, Gregory G. Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20090177490
    Abstract: A method is disclosed by which pharmacies and physicians are encouraged to select appropriate and effective medications but dissuaded from selecting higher priced medications where more economical versions are available as alternatives, but where physicians and patients can also select such higher priced medications if they so choose and are prepared to pay that higher price. Under this system a single representative price (capitation rate) is calculated by a prescription payment plan manager for a group of related medications, usually including both branded and generic, and that price is paid to a pharmacy for all prescriptions of that group of medications fulfilled under the plan. The representative prices for different groups, including their minimum levels, are periodically reviewed and updated as appropriate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Frederick Howe, William J. Barre, Michael W. Lyon
  • Patent number: 7505917
    Abstract: A method is disclosed by which pharmacies and physicians are encouraged to select appropriate and effective medications but dissuaded from selecting higher priced medications where more economical versions are available as alternatives, but where physicians and patients can also select such higher priced medications if they so choose and are prepared to pay that higher price. Under this system a single representative price (capitation rate) is calculated by a prescription payment plan manager for a group of related medications, usually including both branded and generic, and that price is paid to a pharmacy for all prescriptions of that group of medications fulfilled under the plan. The representative prices for different groups, including their minimum levels, are periodically reviewed and updated as appropriate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Medimpact Healthcare Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick Howe, William J. Barre, Michael W. Lyon
  • Publication number: 20070250341
    Abstract: A method is disclosed whereby consumers enrolled in subscribing prescription benefit plans can easily obtain information over the Internet regarding costs and availability of their prescription medications at local and mail-order participating pharmacies of their choice, based on the prescription benefit plans of which they are members. Data on medication dosages, quantities and net costs at a plurality of pharmacies are compiled by the method and presented on-line so that each member of a plan can select the combination of cost and convenience for prescription fulfillment that he or she prefers. The method then allows the user to select prescription fulfillment directly from the selected pharmacy on-line. Other information,.such as general medical, medication and health information can also be made available. Patients, pharmacies, PBMs and plan payers all benefit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: Frederick Howe, Dale Brown, John Tauber
  • Publication number: 20070233516
    Abstract: A method is disclosed by which pharmacies and physicians are encouraged to select appropriate and effective medications but dissuaded from selecting higher priced medications where more economical versions are available as alternatives, but where physicians and patients can also select such higher priced medications if they so choose and are prepared to pay that higher price. Under this system a single representative price (capitation rate) is calculated by a prescription payment plan manager for a group of related medications, usually including both branded and generic, and that price is paid to a pharmacy for all prescriptions of that group of medications fulfilled under the plan. The representative prices for different groups, including their minimum levels, are periodically reviewed and updated as appropriate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Frederick Howe, William Barre, Michael Lyon