Patents by Inventor Sarah Stephens
Sarah Stephens 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).
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Publication number: 20160358288Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2012Publication date: December 8, 2016Applicant: HUMANA INC.Inventors: Ronald Keith McKenzie, Sarah Stephens, Kathryn Knapp Broaddus, Brad Ennis, Kristen R. Augspurger
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Patent number: 8265959Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2008Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Humana Inc.Inventors: Ronald Keith McKenzie, Sarah Stephens, Kathryn Knapp Broaddus, Brad Ennis, Kristen R. Augspurger
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Patent number: 8265953Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a Medicare Part D Pharmacy Benefits Calculator. A computer user inputs data for prescriptions to be purchased by a prospective insured for a plan period. The prescription data includes a quantity, a days supply, and a number of fills. The data for each prescription the user enters is used to calculate anticipated out-of-pocket costs for the prescriptions for one or more pharmacy benefits plans available to the prospective insured. The cost data is presented to the user in a way that illustrates how out-of-pocket costs will vary over the course of a plan period. The user may view costs for alternative drugs and alternatives sources of drugs. The user may vary and expand the presentation of the cost data to better understand the available plan benefits. The invention helps prospective insureds decide among alternative Medicare Part D pharmacy benefits plans offered by one or more insurance companies.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2010Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Humana Inc.Inventors: Megan K. Elizabeth, Stephen L. Marco, Jr., Kristen R. Augspurger, Sarah A. Stephens, Mark M. Muse, Srinath S. Iyengar, Jason P. Loehr, David L. Townsend
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Publication number: 20110093289Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a Medicare Part D Pharmacy Benefits Calculator. A computer user inputs data for prescriptions to be purchased by a prospective insured for a plan period. The prescription data includes a quantity, a days supply, and a number of fills. The data for each prescription the user enters is used to calculate anticipated out-of-pocket costs for the prescriptions for one or more pharmacy benefits plans available to the prospective insured. The cost data is presented to the user in a way that illustrates how out-of-pocket costs will vary over the course of a plan period. The user may view costs for alternative drugs and alternatives sources of drugs. The user may vary and expand the presentation of the cost data to better understand the available plan benefits. The invention helps prospective insureds decide among alternative Medicare Part D pharmacy benefits plans offered by one or more insurance companies.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: HUMANA INC.Inventors: Megan K. Elizabeth, Stephen L. Marco, JR., Kristen R. Augspurger, Sarah A. Stephens, Mark M. Muse, Srinath S. Iyengar, Jason P. Loehr, David L. Townsend
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Patent number: 7860732Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a Medicare Part D Pharmacy Benefits Calculator. A user inputs data for prescriptions to be purchased by a prospective insured for a plan period. The prescription data includes a quantity, a days supply, and a number of fills. The data for each prescription the user enters is used to calculate anticipated out-of-pocket costs for the prescriptions for one or more pharmacy benefits plans available to the prospective insured. The cost data is presented to the user in a way that illustrates how out-of-pocket costs will vary over the course of a plan period. The user may view costs for alternative drugs and alternatives sources of drugs. The user may vary and expand the presentation of the cost data to better understand the available plan benefits. The invention helps prospective insureds decide among alternative Medicare Part D pharmacy benefits plans offered by one or more insurance companies.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2007Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Humana Inc.Inventors: Megan K. Elizabeth, Stephen L. Marco, Jr., Kristen R. Augspurger, Sarah A. Stephens, Mark M. Muse, Srinath S. Iyengar, Jason P. Loehr, David L. Townsend
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Publication number: 20090198518Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2008Publication date: August 6, 2009Applicant: Humana Inc.Inventors: Ronald Keith McKenzie, Sarah Stephens, Kathryn Knapp Broaddus, Brad Ennis, Kristen R. Augspurger
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Publication number: 20080071165Abstract: A system, method and/or apparatus is provided for visualization or imaging of the transverse carpal ligament and surrounding structures/features of a hand of a patient, and treatment of the transverse carpal ligament, particularly, but not necessarily, for performing non-invasive carpal tunnel release. The subject invention utilizes ultrasound waves preferably, but not necessarily, in the high frequency range and cavitations to image the transverse carpal ligament (TCL), record its location in three-dimensional space, and perform precision treatment on the transverse carpal ligament. Treatment may range from stretching or lengthening the TCL to complete tissue ablation or dissection of a portion or portions of the TCL (as is performed in a standard carpal tunnel release procedure) in order to release pressure within the carpal tunnel. Particularly, high temperature conditions are generated at target tissue of the TCL resulting in elongation or necrosis/dissection.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2007Publication date: March 20, 2008Applicant: DePuy Products, Inc.Inventors: Inder Raj Makin, Conrad Klotz, Sarah Stephens, Robert Dunki-Jacobs
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Publication number: 20080021735Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a Medicare Part D Pharmacy Benefits Calculator. A user inputs data for prescriptions to be purchased by a prospective insured for a plan period. The prescription data includes a quantity, a days supply, and a number of fills. The data for each prescription the user enters is used to calculate anticipated out-of-pocket costs for the prescriptions for one or more pharmacy benefits plans available to the prospective insured. The cost data is presented to the user in a way that illustrates how out-of-pocket costs will vary over the course of a plan period. The user may view costs for alternative drugs and alternatives sources of drugs. The user may vary and expand the presentation of the cost data to better understand the available plan benefits. The invention helps prospective insureds decide among alternative Medicare Part D pharmacy benefits plans offered by one or more insurance companies.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2007Publication date: January 24, 2008Applicant: Humana Inc.Inventors: Megan Elizabeth, Stephen Marco, Kristen Augspurger, Sarah Stephens, Mark Muse, Srinath Iyengar, Jason Loehr, David Townsend
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Publication number: 20080021736Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a Medicare Part D Pharmacy Benefits Calculator. A user inputs data for prescriptions to be purchased by a prospective insured for a plan period. The prescription data includes a quantity, a days supply, and a number of fills. The data for each prescription the user enters is used to calculate anticipated out-of-pocket costs for the prescriptions for one or more pharmacy benefits plans available to the prospective insured. The cost data is presented to the user in a way that illustrates how out-of-pocket costs will vary over the course of a plan period. The user may view costs for alternative drugs and alternatives sources of drugs. The user may vary and expand the presentation of the cost data to better understand the available plan benefits. The invention helps prospective insureds decide among alternative Medicare Part D pharmacy benefits plans offered by one or more insurance companies.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2007Publication date: January 24, 2008Applicant: Humana Inc.Inventors: Megan Elizabeth, Stephen Marco, Kristen Augspurger, Sarah Stephens, Mark Muse, Srinath Iyengar, Jason Loehr, David Townsend
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Publication number: 20050261939Abstract: A Pharmacy Benefits Calculator reads in an insured's prior pharmacy claims history and then calculates said insured's anticipated out-of-pocket costs for one or more pharmacy benefits plans that said insured is eligible to enroll in. Provision is made for an insured to modify their anticipated future pharmacy needs. Provision is also made for an insured to compare their out-of-pocket costs for different alternative drugs, said alternative drugs providing comparable therapeutic benefits. Provision also is made for an insured to substitute a lower cost generic equivalent for a brand drug, when available. Another provision is made for an insured to choose to price drugs at a retail pharmacy store or a mail order pharmacy and determine cost differences. The pricing available from said retail pharmacy store may be based on a price negotiated by an insurance company offering said pharmacy benefits plans.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2005Publication date: November 24, 2005Inventors: Kristen Augspurger, Sarah Stephens, Michael Karrer, Kennon Vinson, Mark Flinchum, Inessa Kallik, Megan Elizabeth, Elizabeth Warren, William Fleming, Jonathan Lord
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Publication number: 20050180892Abstract: A multiwell plate for microarraying comprising a self-sealing lower membrane and optionally also a self-sealing upper membrane. Spotting is performed by pushing a pin down through the liquid and then on to pierce the self-sealing lower membrane. A slide having an upper spotting surface is arranged under the well plate. The liquid sample forced through the lower membrane by the pin tip can thus be deposited directly onto the spotting surface. The pin is then withdrawn upwards through the lower membrane, which automatically reseals preventing further loss of liquid. The optional resealable upper membrane also prevents loss of sample liquid by evaporation and spillage. By contrast to the prior art, there is the major advantage that the pin head does not have to traverse between the well plate and slide to collect sample liquid, thus dramatically increasing operational speed for an automated microarraying apparatus employing the multiwell plate. Excellent spot reproducibility is also observed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2005Publication date: August 18, 2005Inventors: Douglas Davies, James Haslam, Sarah Stephens
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Publication number: 20050038423Abstract: A system, method and/or apparatus is provided for visualization or imaging of the transverse carpal ligament and surrounding structures/features of a hand of a patient, and treatment of the transverse carpal ligament, particularly, but not necessarily, for performing non-invasive carpal tunnel release. The subject invention utilizes ultrasound waves preferably, but not necessarily, in the high frequency range and cavitations to image the transverse carpal ligament (TCL), record its location in three-dimensional space, and perform precision treatment on the transverse carpal ligament. Treatment may range from stretching or lengthening the TCL to complete tissue ablation or dissection of a portion or portions of the TCL (as is performed in a standard carpal tunnel release procedure) in order to release pressure within the carpal tunnel. Particularly, high temperature conditions are generated at target tissue of the TCL resulting in elongation or necrosis/dissection.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2004Publication date: February 17, 2005Inventors: Inder Makin, Conrad Klotz, Sarah Stephens, Robert Dunki-Jacobs
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Patent number: 5736188Abstract: A backing sheet (101) is provided with a pattern of pathways (131,132,133) of (e.g.) silica or cellulose by a printing process (e.g., screen printing). There may be multiple pathways leading from an eluant application region (117) to a detection zone (116) and thence to a waste reservoir (118). Different pathways may have different fluid traversal times because they differ in length and/or material (e.g., nitrocellulose for slow traversal and fibrous cellulose for rapid traversal by an aqueous liquid). Thus analyte and reagents deposited at depots (112,113) on different pathways are sequentially delivered to the detection zone. Reagents may be applied by printing. The detection zone may have an electrode assembly (105), also applied by printing, for detecting the effects of analyte.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 1995Date of Patent: April 7, 1998Inventors: Susan Alcock, Stephen White, Anthony Turner, Steven Setford, Ibtisam Tothill, Jon Dicks, Sarah Stephens, Jennifer Hall, Phillip Warner