Abstract:
A value icon for a web-based health or health support program packages access information for a website in a value icon physically embodying the abstract benefits of the welfare program in order to encourage initial access of the health support website. The value icon may be a compact container holding a three-dimensional article having a health support-related utility, at least one printed coupon representing a healthcare program credit and may provide the address to a health support website which offers additional programs based on information from an individual in a questionnaire on the health support website.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application 61/700,082 filed Sep. 12, 2012 and hereby Incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a method for administering health support programs and in particular to a method to increase participation in a web-based health, support program. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Encouraging patients to take active steps to improving their own health is difficult. In order to promote such engagement, it is understood that health support programs should be tailored to the individual patient in a way that is relevant to the patient&#39;s condition and lifestyle. One way of doing this is to have the individual go to a website and respond to questions about his or herself. A computer program operating on the data from the website questionnaire may then provide tailored information and programs to the patient including documents, web accessible programming, and access to human specialists. 
         [0004]    The approach of using a web-based questionnaire that may be filled out by the patient overcomes many of the problems related to confidentiality with respect to existing medical records, such problems which prevent an employer, for example, from providing health information directly to the health support program administrator. 
         [0005]    Unfortunately, this first step of having the patient visit the website and answer a health questionnaire can be the downfall of such approaches. As few as six percent of patients presented information about a web page based healthcare program actually visit the web page. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention provides a way to dramatically boost the number of people who take the first step of visiting the website of a web-based health support program. Generally the invention provides a “value icon” that can be given to an individual that provides a tangible representation of the benefits that the patient will achieve by visiting the web page even before the benefits have been personalized to the patient. The value icon may include a mixture of instructions for use, printed coupons and a three-dimensional article with a health support-related utility (such as a tape measure or blood lancet) all contained in a gift-sized box consistent with an individual&#39;s experiences of value. The outer surface of the value icon may include common indicia of value including a printed price, UPC code and the like. 
         [0007]    Specifically, the invention provides a value icon for a health support program having a sealable container holding a three-dimensional article with a health support-related utility, and at least one printed coupon representing a healthcare program credit. The container provides an address to a website linking the healthcare program credit to a specific healthcare program based on information from an individual receiving the value icon entered into the website. 
         [0008]    It is thus one feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to provide a compact and generalizable value icon that can be distributed to individuals regardless of their health support needs that will evoke a sense of received value to encourage participation with the web-based health support program. 
         [0009]    The three-dimensional article may be selected from the group consisting of a tape measure, a pedometer, a flexible stress reliever, blood lancet, a pill splitter, and a pill box. 
         [0010]    It is thus one feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to provide a compact article of perceived value and utility related to health support. 
         [0011]    The three-dimensional article is a tape measure and wherein the information from the individual is body measurements made with the tape measure of the individual. 
         [0012]    It is thus one feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to provide a representation of value that can assist an individual in personalizing the health support program to the individual by allowing body measurements to be entered into the website questionnaire. 
         [0013]    The container may have a description of a health support program printed on its outer surface. 
         [0014]    It is thus one feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to begin the process of education of the individual and how to access the website immediately upon the receipt of the value icon. 
         [0015]    The container may have a price printed on its outside denoting a value of over 100 dollars and/or may have a UPC code printed on its outer surface 
         [0016]    It is thus one feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to leverage symbols ordinarily associated with value. 
         [0017]    The container may provide a printed list of steps for the individual to complete to visit the website to link the healthcare program credit to a specific healthcare program visible immediately upon opening the container without removal of items in the container. 
         [0018]    It is thus one feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to provide instructions to the user for accessing the website that are likely to be retained by the user during the time between receipt of the value icon and the accessibility of the web to the user. 
         [0019]    The container may have a volume of substantially twelve cubic inches, and may for example, be a cubic cardboard box. 
         [0020]    It is thus one feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to mimic a gift box of the type that would hold a valuable gift such as jewelry or the like. 
         [0021]    The contents of the container may be positioned in layers which must be successively removed to access the contents of the container and wherein the three-dimensional article having a health support-related utility is positioned in a layer below at least one printed coupon and wherein the address to a website is visible before removing the three-dimensional article or coupons. 
         [0022]    It is thus one feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to encourage exploration of all of the elements of the value icon by the user, 
         [0023]    The value icon may include a code number enterable by the individual at the website and visible before removing the three-dimensional article or coupons. 
         [0024]    It is thus one feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to allow differentiation of a health support program not only by an individual&#39;s needs but also by an individual&#39;s affiliation with a particular institution or place of work such as may be captured in the code number. 
         [0025]    These particular objects and advantages may apply to only some embodiments falling within the claims and thus do not define the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a value icon per the present invention before being opened by a consumer/participant such as presents a small box with descriptive elements and indicia of value printed on its outer surface; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  an exploded view of the value icon of  FIG. 1  showing the box as opened and its contents including an instruction card with registration information, coupons, and a health support-related article of utility; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a simplified representation of a computer system providing a web-based health support program suitable for use with the present invention, including a computer server accessible over the Internet by the consumer/participant through a home computer; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart of a program executable on the computer server as may access an associated database; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a simplified screenshot of a first web page visible to the consumer/participant accessing the web-based health support program in which registration numbers may be entered; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a figure similar to that of Fig. S showing a menu page available to the individual after registration providing a link to a questionnaire; 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  is a figure similar to that of  FIGS. 5 and 6  showing a representation of dynamic coupons personalized to the consumer/participant based on questionnaire information; and 
           [0033]      FIGS. 8   a - 8   c  are screen shots of web-based health support programming that may be provided to the consumer/participant based on data entered from the questionnaire including personalized health programs, health risk management tools, access to live expert counseling, and risk, assessment tools. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a value icon  10  may provide generally for a cubic cardboard box  12  having an upper flap  14  hingably openable to permit access to the contents of the box  12  yet sealed by a seal  16  during initial presentation. 
         [0035]    The box  12  may include outer printed indicia  18  providing a numeric value indicating a price of the box (e.g. $189) and a UPC code such as are found on many products offered for sale to consumers. A description  22  of the health support program may also be provided on the outer surfaces of the box  12  summarizing the health support program benefits, listing necessary computer equipment for the program, and indicating a prepayment by an institution such as a place of employment of the consumer/participant for these health support program benefits. 
         [0036]    In one embodiment, the box  12  is sized to approximate a jewelry or other small gift box and may have a side dimension  24  for example, of substantially 2¼ inches and/or may have a volume of substantially twelve cubic inches and may be fabricated of cardboard. 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , when the upper flap  14  is opened after removing or separating the seal  16 , the contents of the box  12  may be removed. In one embodiment, a lowermost item in the box  12  may be a three-dimensional article  26  having a health support related utility. In a preferred embodiment, the three-dimensional article  26  will be a tape measure; however, other articles may be contemplated such as a pedometer, a flexible stress reliever, blood lancet, a pill splitter, and a pillbox, each that represent items likely to have genuine utility to the consumer/participant related to health support. 
         [0038]    Positioned above the article  26  may be one or more static or dynamic coupons  28  each, for example, being a generally square printable paper slip identifying a dollar or other benefit value to the consumer/participant. The static coupons  28  may be specifically identified to a benefit whereas the specific benefit of the dynamic coupons will be identified later. Dollar values and or pre-conditions of the coupons may be listed. 
         [0039]    Above the coupons  28  may be an instruction card  30  providing address information  32  for the health support website and a registration code  34 . The address information  32  may be in the form of a printed address (for example www.healthfleet.com) or the same information contained in a QR or similar code readable by a computer connected camera, smart phone or the like. The registration code  34  will, typically be unique to an institution or group but not to an individual. In this way, the boxes  12  can be preloaded and sealed and given to any employee in a group meeting. Instruction card  30  may include downwardly extending flaps  36  to help corral and organize the other materials and prevent the instruction card  30  from being lost or discarded accidentally. Alternatively or in addition, the address information  32  and the registration code  34  may be attached directly to the box  12  by a sticker or the like so as to be better retained. 
         [0040]    Instructions  37  for using the contents of the box  12  to access the health support-based Web program may be printed inside the flap  14 . These instructions will be identical for all groups and all individuals. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the value icon  10  may be used by a consumer/participant to access a web-based health support program implemented by one or more servers  40  connected through the Internet  42  with a consumer/participant&#39;s personal computer  44  or the like, including a desktop personal computer, a tablet computer, smart phone, or other computing device that is web accessible. The server  40  may include a network interface element  45  as is generally understood in the art connected to an electronic processor  46 . The electronic processor  46 , in turn may be in communication with an electronic memory  48  providing a non-transient storage medium for holding one or more programs  50  implementing a web portion of the present invention. The memory  48  may generally include random access memory, or the like as well as disk memory, the latter which may hold a database  52  storing information about the consumer/participant that may be used for personalizing the health support program as will be described. 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the program  50  may respond to a consumer/participant entering the website address into a browser (the address provided by the above described address information  32 ) by serving a top-level web page  51  indicated by process block  53 . This top-level web page  51  may provide, for example, welcome information and a visual image  54  showing the location of the registration code on the instruction card  30  together with instructions for entering that registration code in a text box  56 . 
         [0043]    The process of accepting the registration code as entered by the consumer/participant, as indicated by process block  57 , identifies a group page  58  in the database  52  providing information related to the desired health support program by a particular institution. 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 6 , the information from the group page  58  may be used to generate a directory screen  59  providing a profile link  60 , a questionnaire link  62 , and a program link  64 , the latter which can be accessed only after completion of the profile and questionnaire. 
         [0045]    Generally, following the profile link  60  will lead the consumer/participant to a page where they may enter personally identifying information that will be used to allow them to access personalized information on the website. This personally identifying information may include a participant name that may be linked to a particular record of the group page  58  and that may be used to confirm that the consumer/participant is properly part of the group identified by the registration. code  34 . The personally identifying information may further include a consumer/participant selected personal identification number and/or password combination. 
         [0046]    The questionnaire accessible through the questionnaire link  62  will include a questionnaire for the entry of health information by the consumer/participant. In particular this health information may include body measurements made with the tape measure of the article  26  including height, waist size and other body dimensions which may be used to personalize the health support program. By having the consumer/participant enter this information, problems of transfer of sensitive health information from an employer or the like is largely eliminated. Other medical information including gender, age, known ailments, medications, and the like may also be entered into this questionnaire. 
         [0047]    As indicated by process block  66 , this information may be used to tailor a health support program to the particular consumer/participant&#39;s needs according to a simple mapping program which may characterize each consumer/participant according to a cluster or range of information entered into the questionnaire. For example, consumer/participants with certain ratios of height to waist size may be steered toward particular nutrition programs either for losing or gaining weight. Age information may be used to affect nutrition suggestions or exercise programs and the like. 
         [0048]    This customize health support program may then be accessed by the program link  64 . 
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 7 , access by the consumer/participant of the program page from the program link  64 , as indicated by decision block  70 , may present a coupon screen  72  as shown in  FIG. 7 . This coupon screen may display representations the coupons  28  including static coupons  28   a  whose value and purpose is fully explained in the physical coupon  28  and dynamic coupons  28   b  whose values and purpose are dynamically populated based on entries from the health questionnaire. For example, static coupons  28  may provide for a fitness club membership that would be applicable to most consumer/participants. Dynamic coupons  28  may, for example, provide discounts on supplements or equipment that would be applicable to specific consumer/participants, for example vitamins keyed to a gender of the consumer/participant or coupons to particular programs, for example smoking cessation or stress reduction, that might be applicable to consumer/participants. The particular benefit provided by dynamic coupons  28  may be populated into the images of those dynamic coupons. 
         [0050]    One of the dynamic or static coupons may allow the recipient to take the coupon to a local screening facility (Walgreens, Quest, etc.) to have a blood screening, blood pressure test, or the like taken on-site. Then those results can be then displayed to the user securely within the health portal. This reliable data that will allow the program provider to measure the effect of the program over time without having to rely on subjective or self-reported information by the user/patient. This approach can also be used for a mail-in blood lancet where the results could be posted directly by the testing facility. 
         [0051]    Referring now to  FIG. 4  and  FIGS. 8   a - e , the program page accessed through the program link  64  will also allow the consumer/participant access to a variety of web-based health support content including, for example, information screens  82  providing text, image and/or video information about health to the consumer/participant. Such information screens  82  can also provide for calculators and other health support tools that can be delivered over the web. 
         [0052]    Alternatively, the consumer/participant may access portal screens  84 , for example, providing access to health or health support specialists who can confer with the consumer/participant individually or in a group. The consumer/participant may use these portal screens  84  to schedule sessions with the health or health support specialists. 
         [0053]    Alternatively the consumer/participant may access tracking screens  86  which allow the consumer/participant to track his or her progress with respect particular health support programs by entering data and aggregating data from other sources in the form of a personal health record. 
         [0054]    Certain terminology is used herein for purposes of reference only, and thus is not intended to be limiting. For example, terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “above”, and “below” refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Terms such as “front”, “back”, “rear”, “bottom” and “side”, describe the orientation of portions of the component within a consistent but arbitrary frame of reference which is made clear by reference to the text and the associated drawings describing the component under discussion. Such terminology may include the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Similarly, the terms “first”, “second” and other such numerical terms referring to structures do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. 
         [0055]    When introducing elements or features of the present disclosure and the exemplary embodiments, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of such elements or features. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements or features other than those specifically noted. It is further to be understood that the method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed. 
         [0056]    References to “a computer”, “a processor” or the like can be understood to include one or more processors that can communicate in a stand-alone and/or a distributed environment(s), and can thus be configured to communicate via wired or wireless communications with other processors, where such one or more processor can be configured to operate on one or more processor-controlled devices that can be similar or different devices. Furthermore, references to memory, unless otherwise specified, can include one or more processor-readable and accessible memory elements and/or components that can be internal to the processor-controlled device, external to the processor-controlled device, and can be accessed via a wired or wireless network. 
         [0057]    It is specifically intended that the present invention not be limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein and the claims should be understood to include modified forms of those embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments as come within the scope of the following claims. All of the publications described herein, including patents and non-patent publications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.