COUPON SYSTEM FOR HEATLH INSURANCE RETAIL ACTIVITIES

摘要

The present invention is directed to a method, apparatus and computer readable medium for reducing health care costs by creating a) an incentive for patients to choose the most economical treatment option that is both safe and effective and b) a practical mechanism for enabling them to act on that incentive. According to an embodiment, a computerized analysis of a population's (e.g. health plan members, employees of a company, patients with a certain health condition) prescription drug insurance claims is performed to identify a patient that currently uses a health care option that is not the most economical, safe and effective option. A coupon is prepared for the patient, which would provide a discount for a certain health care option that provides economical benefits over the health care option currently utilized by the patient. The coupon can include identification information that can be used to track the patient's use of the coupon. In addition, the patient's prescription drug insurance claims can be monitored to see if the patient stopped using the less economical health care option. If the patient uses the coupon to purchase the more economical health care option, and stops using the less economical option formerly utilized, then additional coupons can be prepared for and sent to that patient, allowing continued use of the more economical health care option.