Patent Publication Number: US-9842188-B2

Title: Method and system for automated medical records processing with cloud computing

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This U.S. Utility patent application is a Continuation-In-Part (CIP) of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/622,497, filed Nov. 20, 2009, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,606,594, on Dec. 10, 2013, which is a CIP of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 10/692,976, filed on Oct. 24, 2003, that claims priority from U.S. Provisional patent application No. 60/422,083, filed on Oct. 29, 2002, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,624,027, on Nov. 24, 2009, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     Pursuant to 37 C.F.R. 1.71(e), applicants note that a portion of this disclosure contains material that is subject to and for which is claimed copyright protection, such as, but not limited to, copies of paper forms, screen shots, user interfaces, electronic medical record formats, or any other aspects of this submission for which copyright protection is or may be available in any jurisdiction. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent Office patent file or records. All other rights are reserved, and all other reproduction, distribution, creation of derivative works based on the contents, public display, and public performance of the application or any part thereof are prohibited by applicable copyright law. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to medical records and information. More specifically, it relates to a method and system for automated medical records processing with cloud computing. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are many different types of medical information that are routinely collected when a patient has an emergency or non-emergency medical problem, or visit a provider for a routine visit or annual physical. The medical information includes such information as current symptoms the patient is feeling, any medication the patient is currently taking, any past medical problems or surgeries the patient has, known allergies, family history, prescribed medications, etc. 
     Such medical information is typically recorded manually on paper forms by medical staff, nurses and/or providers. The medical information may also be dictated by a provider and later transcribed to another form by a medical transcriptionist. 
     The American Medical Association (“AMA”) has developed a system of codes for medical and surgical procedures, diagnostic tests, laboratory studies, and other provider medical services rendered to patients. This system of codes is referred to as Current Procedural Terminology, (“CPT”) codes. CPT codes provide a uniform language that details medical, surgical, and diagnostic services utilized by providers to communicate to third-party payors for the services that are rendered. 
     The CPT codes were first developed by the AMA in 1966. Each year, an annual publication is prepared by the AMA that includes CPT code changes corresponding with updates in medical technology and practice. The 2003 version of CPT codes, for example, CPT 2003, includes over 8,000 codes and descriptors. The CPT code set also include a set of modifiers that may be used to further define CPT codes. 
     Evaluation and Management (E/M) codes are a sub-set of the CPT codes that are used to describe a patient&#39;s encounter in a provider&#39;s office, hospital or other medical setting. E/M codes are used to describe the level of care a provider renders to a patient. 
     The CPT and E/M codes are assigned numeric codes that used to classify the information, categorize and organize the information and used to generate revenue for the organization that employs the medical personnel. The numeric codes may also include codes used by insurance companies or other types of organizations such as health organizations such as those responsible for communicable diseases. 
     The Health Care Finance Administration (“HCFA”), a U.S. government agency responsible for the operation of oversight of medical insurance programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, has also developed a set of medical codes and modifiers. The HCFA developed a set of medical codes called Health Care Procedural Coding System (“HCPCS”) codes to help relate CPT codes to medical billing. The HCFA was renamed the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services (CMS) on Jun. 14, 2001. 
     In addition, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) also developed a similar set of codes to identify medical diagnoses, conditions and injuries. These codes are called International Classification of Diseases 9th edition Clinical Modification (“ICD-9”) codes and International Classifications 10 th  edition Clinical Modification (“ICD-10”). ICD-10 codes for both diagnoses and procedures have been developed, but are not yet used in the USA. 
     Accurate and proper coding of medical information is important because it helps determine financial reimbursement for physician services. It is also important to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations as well as help protect physicians from the financial and legal ramifications of government, insurance company and other types of audits. 
     “Cloud computing” is a term used to identify the delivery of computing requirements as a service to a heterogeneous community of end-recipients. The term cloud theoretically signifies abstraction of technology, resources and locations that are used in building an integrated computing infrastructure (including networks, systems, applications, etc.). All Cloud computing models rely heavily on sharing of resources to achieve coherence and economies of scale similar to a utility (like a grid for electricity) over a network. 
     Cloud computing provides services with a user&#39;s data, software and computation on over multiple networks. End users access cloud based applications through a web browser or a light weight desktop or mobile application while the rest of the application software and data are stored on servers at remote locations. Cloud computing provides a same or better service and performance with cloud software programs as if all the cloud software programs were actually installed locally on end-user devices. 
     At the foundation of cloud computing is the broader concept of infrastructure convergence and shared services. This type of cloud computing environment allows enterprises to get their applications up and running faster, with easier manageability and less maintenance, and enables the enterprise to more rapidly adjust resources (such as servers, storage, and networking) to meet fluctuating and unpredictable business demand. 
     There are many problems associated with the collection and recording medical information. One problem is that incorrect medical coding creates both a revenue generation problem and a compliance problem for many physician practices. 
     For example, one study by Mitchell S. King, Lisa Sharp, and Martin S. Lipsky, entitled “Accuracy of CPT evaluation and management coding by family physicians,” and published in the Journal of American Board of Family Practice 14(3): 184-192, 2001, has shown that family physicians tend to generate lower-level E/M codes for established patients, thereby “undercoding” the established patient visit. The undercoding results in a loss of potential revenues. Investigative agencies may also classify this practice as fraudulent, in that it may be construed to indicate that the provider is reducing fees by undercoding, and thereby attempting to entice patients to visit more frequently. 
     These same family physicians also tend to generate higher-level E/M codes than necessary for new patients, thereby “overcoding” the new patient visit. This results in rejection of insurance payments and could result in loss of revenue, insurance audits and potential prosecution under the Federal False Claims Act (“FFCA”), 31 U.S.C. 3729 or other Federal and state laws used prevent fraudulent insurance claims. 
     Another problem is that incorrect or improper coding of medical information could result in non-compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) 42 U.S.C. 1320d, et. seq. and other Federal and state laws enacted to protect privacy. 
     Another problem is that medical organizations use many different types of medical codes from many different types of medical organizations on many different types of proprietary and public medical forms. The medical information is typically manually re-handled several times by several different types of people (e.g., providers, nurses, medical billing specialist, etc.) with different expertise levels with respect to coding of medical information. This handling may introduce errors for the coding of medical information at many different levels. 
     Another problem is that the medical information is often manually entered into a data processing system. A medical technician with knowledge of medical information and medical codes must process the information to assign the proper codes. As was described above, there are typically multiple sets of medical codes such as those used for diagnosis, billing, insurance, etc. that are routinely used and changed on a periodic basis. This may also introduce errors for the coding of medical information at many different levels. 
     Another problem is that it typically takes a significant amount of time to process medical information and create the proper medical codes from a patient encounter. This often leads to a very slow revenue stream for physicians and a large amount of frustration for patients. 
     There have been attempts to solve one or more of the problems associated with coding medical information. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,529,876 to Dart et al. entitled “Electronic template medical records coding system” describes a method and a computer program for use by health care providers for the production of accurate billing coding for care entered using established E/M codes.” 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,393,404 to Waters, et al. entitled “System and method for optimizing medical diagnosis, procedures and claims using a structured search space” describes a system and method for optimizing medical diagnosis, procedures and reimbursement claims using a structured search space.” 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,208,973 to Boyer, et al. entitled “Point of service third party financial management vehicle for the healthcare industry” describes a point of service third party adjudicated payment system and method which provides for the creation of an adjudicated settlement transaction at a point of service which designates the portion of the service to be paid by the third party payor and the portion to be paid by the customer.” 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,109, to Johnson et al. entitled “Method for extracting pre-defined data items from medical service records generated by health care providers,” described “a central medical record repository for a managed health care organization accepts and stores medical record documents in any format from medical service providers. The repository then identifies the document using information automatically extracted from the document and stores the extracted data in a document database. The repository links the document to a patient by extracting from the document demographic data identifying the patient and matching it to data stored in a patient database. Data is extracted automatically from medical records containing ‘unstructured’ or free-form text by identifying conventional organization components in the text and is organized by executing rules that extract data with the aid of such information. Documents for a patient are retrieved by identifying the patient using demographic data.” 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,483,443 to Milstein, et al. entitled “Method for computing current procedural terminology codes from physician generated documentation” describes a process for calculating a Current Procedural Terminology (“CPT”) code from input received from a physician or other medical professional.” 
     Newman and Weller in a paper entitled “A Desk Supporting Computer-based Interaction with Paper Documents,” ACM 0-89791-513-5/92/005-0587, Chicago, May 3-7, 1992, teaches accepting input from paper forms into a computer via an interface apparatus. 
     However, these inventions do not solve all of the problems associated with coding medical information. Thus, it would be desirable to help reduce the complexity of collecting patient encounter information and allow easy automated collection, processing and recording of medical information codes such as diagnosis codes, billing codes, insurance codes, etc. It is also desirable to provide such medical codes in real-time during or shortly after an encounter with a patient via cloud computing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention, some of the problems associated with processing medical records are overcome. A method and system for automated medical records processing with cloud computing is presented. 
     The method and system includes plural electronic templates specifically designed such that they may help reduce a complexity and risk associated with collecting patient encounter information and helps generate an appropriate type and number medical codes for a specific type of medical practice when processed with cloud computing. 
     The method and system also includes real-time processing applications that may allow easy and automated collection, processing, displaying and recording of medical codes (e.g., diagnosis codes, billing codes, insurance codes, etc.) with cloud computing. 
     The foregoing and other features and advantages of preferred embodiments of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description. The detailed description proceeds with references to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary medical records system; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are block diagrams illustrating a front side and a back side of an exemplary paper medical information template; 
         FIGS. 2C and 2D  are a block diagram illustrating a front side and a back side of another exemplary paper medical information form that further illustrates an exemplary coding summary produced from exemplary patient encounter information; 
         FIGS. 2A-2D .  FIGS. 8-12  are copyright © 2001-2003 by Practice Velocity, LLC. All rights reserved; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating portions of the exemplary paper medical information template of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data flow for the medical records system of  FIG. 1  for a paper medical information template; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data flow for the medical records system of  FIG. 1  for an electronic medical information template; 
         FIG. 6  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of processing medical information templates via the medical records system; 
         FIG. 7  is flow diagram illustrating a method of processing medical information templates via the medical records system; 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary HX matrix; 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary PX matrix; 
         FIG. 10  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary CX matrix; 
         FIG. 11  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary final E/M matrix for a new outpatient; 
         FIG. 12  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary final E/M matrix for an established outpatient; 
         FIG. 13  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of processing medical information templates via the medical records system; 
         FIG. 14  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of processing medical information templates via the medical records system; 
         FIG. 15  is a block diagram illustrating a 360° real-time view of a patient encounter; 
         FIG. 16  is a flow diagram illustrating a method for automated processing of medical information; 
         FIGS. 17-23  are copyright © by Practice Velocity, LLC. All rights reserved; 
         FIG. 17  is a block diagram of a screen shot of a first portion of an exemplary electronic medical information template; 
         FIG. 18  is a block diagram of a screen shot of a second portion of an exemplary electronic medical information template; 
         FIG. 19  is a block diagram of a screen shot of a third portion of an exemplary electronic medical information template; 
         FIG. 20  is a block diagram of a screen shot of a fourth portion of an exemplary electronic medical information template; 
         FIG. 21  is a block diagram of a screen shot of a fifth portion of an exemplary electronic medical information template; 
         FIG. 22  is a block diagram of a screen shot of a sixth portion of an exemplary electronic medical information template; 
         FIG. 23  is a block diagram of screen shot illustrating an exemplary first portion of a medical information template on a smart phone; 
         FIG. 24  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary cloud computing network; 
         FIG. 25  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary cloud storage object; 
         FIGS. 26A and 26B  are a flow diagram illustrating a method for automated processing of electronic medical records with cloud computing; 
         FIG. 27  is a flow diagram illustrating a method for automated processing of electronic medical records with cloud computing; 
         FIG. 28  is a flow diagram illustrating a method for automated processing of electronic medical records with cloud computing; 
         FIG. 29  is a block diagram illustrating additional components of the medical records system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 30  is a flow diagram illustrating a method for automated processing of electronic medical records with cloud computing; 
         FIG. 31  is a flow diagram illustrating a method for automated processing of electronic medical records with cloud computing; and 
         FIG. 32  is a flow diagram illustrating a method for automated processing of electronic medical records with cloud computing. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Medical Records System 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary medical records system  10 . The medical records system  10  includes plural medical information templates, including plural paper  12  medical information templates and plural electronic medical information templates  12 ′, one or more electronic scanners  14  (one illustrated), one or more client computers  16  (one illustrated), one or more client network devices  18  each with a display component including a graphical user interface (GUI)  19 , one or more server network devices  20  (one illustrated), and one or more databases  22  (one illustrated). The components of the medical records system  10  communicate via a communications network  24 . The communications network  24  includes a cloud computing/communications network ( FIG. 24 ). 
     The one or more different electronic medical information templates  12 ′ are periodically, automatically and dynamically updated via the communications network  24  to reflect changes in medical, insurance and/or billing practices and/or codes. However, the present invention is not limited to these components, and more, fewer or other components can also be used to practice the invention. 
     The one or more client network devices  18  include plural software applications  26  ( 28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  33 , etc.) for displaying an electronic medical information template  12 ′, collecting digital information from the electronic medical information templates  12 ′, encrypting the collected digital information, for compressing and packaging the encrypted digital information and for securely transmitting the encrypted, compressed and packaged digital information. The one or more client network devices  18  may include the information template reader application  28 , a medical code processing engine  30 , a medical data presentation application  32 , and/or the digital image/data verification application  33 , described below. However, the one or more client network devices  18  are not limited to these, and more, fewer or other applications and components can also be used on the one or more client network devices  18 . 
     The client computers  16  include plural software applications  26  for scanning in paper medical information templates  12  from scanner  14  and creating one or more digital images, for encrypting the digital images created, for compressing and packaging the encrypted digital images and for securely transmitting the encrypted, compressed and packaged digital images. The client computers  16  may also include the medical information template reader application  28 , a medical code processing engine  30 , a medical data presentation application  32 , and digital image/data verification application  33  described below. However, the client computers  16  are not limited to these, and more, fewer or other components can also be used on the client computers  16 . The client computers  16  may be local or remotely located with respect to the scanner  14 . 
     The client computers  16 , client network devices  18  and/or server computers  20  include comprising plural processing applications  26 . The plural processing applications  26  include, but are not limited to, a medical information template reader application  28 , a medical code processing engine  30 , a medical data presentation application  32  and a digital image/data verification application  33 . 
     In one embodiment, applications  26  ( 28 ,  30 ,  32  and  33 ) are applications for smart phones such as the iPhone by Apple, Inc., Blackberry Storm, by Research In Motion, Inc., Droid by Motorola, Inc., other types of smart phones, other types of mobile and non-mobile phones, etc. However, the present invention is not limited to such applications, and more, fewer or other software applications can also be used on the server computer  20 . 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the plural processing applications are software applications. However, the plural processing applications  26  can also include plural software, firmware, hardware applications and/or combinations thereof and the present invention is not limited to software processing applications. One or more applications (e.g.,  30 , etc.) on the server computer  20  continuously and dynamically updates electronic medical templates  12 ′ on the client network devices  18  and the client computers  16 . The server computers  20  may be local or remote to the client computers  16  and client network devices  18 . 
     The database  22  comprises a relational database. However, the present invention is not limited to a relational database and other types of databases can also be used. 
     The communications network  24  includes a wired or wireless communications network including components of the Public Switched Telephone Network (“PSTN”), the Internet, intranets, or types of wired or wireless, including voice and data communications networks, and including local area networks (“LAN”) and wide area networks (“WAN”). 
     The server computers  20 , the client computers  16  and client network devices  18  include wired and wireless interfaces to communicate with the communication network  24 . The communications network  24  includes a wire or wireless, telecommunications network and/or a wired and/or wireless data network (e.g., Internet Protocol (IP) suite of protocols including Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), etc.). 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the wired interfaces corresponding networking protocols for wired connections to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or a cable television network (CATV) including HDTV or the Internet that connect the computers and network devices via one or more twisted pairs of copper wires, digital subscriber lines (e.g. DSL, ADSL, VDSL, etc.) coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, other connection media or other connection interfaces. The PSTN is any public switched telephone network provided by AT&amp;T, GTE, Sprint, MCI, SBC, Verizon and others. 
     In one embodiment, of the invention, the wireless interfaces include WPAN wireless personal area network (WPAN) interfaces. As is known in the art, a WPAN is a personal area network for interconnecting devices centered around an individual person&#39;s devices in which the connections are wireless. A WPAN interconnects all the ordinary computing and communicating devices that a person has on their desk (e.g. computer, etc.) or carry with them (e.g., PDA, mobile phone, two-way pager, etc.) 
     Typically, a wireless personal area network uses some technology that permits communication only within about 10 meters. One such technology is “Bluetooth.” Another such technology is “Zigbee.” 
     A key concept in WPAN technology is known as “plugging in.” In the ideal scenario, when any two WPAN-equipped devices come into close proximity (within several meters of each other) or within a few kilometers of a central server (not illustrated), they can communicate via wireless communications as if connected by a cable. WPAN devices can also lock out other devices selectively, preventing needless interference or unauthorized access to secure information. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the wireless interfaces include but are not limited to, an IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.15.4 (ZigBee), 802.16a, 802.16g, “Wireless Fidelity” (Wi-Fi), “Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access” (WiMAX), ETSI High Performance Radio Metropolitan Area Network (HIPERMAN) “RF Home,” or other types of wireless interfaces. However, the present invention is not limited to such wireless interface and other types of wireless interfaces can also be used. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the wireless interface includes a wireless sensor device that comprises an integral or separate Bluetooth and/or infra data association (IrDA) module for wireless Bluetooth or wireless infrared communications. 
     802.11b is a short-range wireless network standard. The IEEE 802.11b standard defines wireless interfaces that provide up to 11 Mbps wireless data transmission to and from wireless devices over short ranges. 802.11a is an extension of the 802.11b and can deliver speeds up to 54 Mbps. 802.11g deliver speeds on par with 802.11a. However, other 802.11xx interfaces can also be used and the present invention is not limited to the 802.11 protocols defined. The IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g standards are incorporated herein by reference. 
     Wi-Fi is a type of 802.11 xx interface, whether 802.11b, 802.11a, dual-band, etc. Wi-Fi devices include an RF interfaces such as 2.4 GHz for 802.11b or 802.11g and 5 GHz for 802.11a. 
     802.15.4 (Zigbee) is low data rate network standard used for mesh network devices such as sensors, interactive toys, smart badges, remote controls, and home automation. The 802.15.4 standard provides data rates of 250 kbps, 40 kbps, and 20 kbps., two addressing modes; 16-bit short and 64-bit IEEE addressing, support for critical latency devices, such as joysticks, Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance, (CSMA-CA) channel access, automatic network establishment by a coordinator, fully handshaked protocol for transfer reliability, power management to ensure low power consumption for multi-month to multi-year battery usage and up to 16 channels in the 2.4 GHz ISM band (Worldwide), 10 channels in the 915 MHz (US) and one channel in the 868 MHz band (Europe). The IEEE 802.15.4-2003 standard is incorporated herein by reference. 
     WiMAX is an industry trade organization formed by leading communications component and equipment companies to promote and certify compatibility and interoperability of broadband wireless access equipment that conforms to the IEEE 802.16XX and ETSI HIPERMAN. HIPERMAN is the European standard for metropolitan area networks (MAN). 
     The IEEE The 802.16a and 802.16g standards are wireless MAN technology standard that provides a wireless alternative to cable, DSL and T1/E1 for last mile broadband access. It is also used as complimentary technology to connect IEEE 802.11XX hot spots to the Internet. 
     The IEEE 802.16a standard for 2-11 GHz is a wireless MAN technology that provides broadband wireless connectivity to fixed, portable and nomadic devices. It provides up to 50-kilometers of service area range, allows users to get broadband connectivity without needing direct line of sight with the base station, and provides total data rates of up to 280 Mbps per base station, which is enough bandwidth to simultaneously support hundreds of businesses with T1/E1-type connectivity and thousands of homes with DSL-type connectivity with a single base station. The IEEE 802.16g provides up to 100 Mbps. 
     The IEEE 802.16e standard is an extension to the approved IEEE 802.16/16a/16g standard. The purpose of 802.16e is to add limited mobility to the current standard which is designed for fixed operation. 
     The ESTI HIPERMAN standard is an interoperable broadband fixed wireless access standard for systems operating at radio frequencies between 2 GHz and 11 GHz. 
     The IEEE 802.16a, 802.16e and 802.16g standards are incorporated herein by reference. WiMAX can be used to provide a WLP. 
     The ETSI HIPERMAN standards TR 101 031, TR 101 475x, TR 101 493-1 through TR 101 493-3, TR 101 761-1 through TR 101 761-4x, TR 101 762, TR 101 763-1 through TR 101 763-3 and TR 101 957 are incorporated herein by reference. ETSI HIPERMAN can be used to provide a WLP. 
     As is known in the art, Bluetooth is a short-range radio frequency technology aimed at simplifying communications among network devices and between network devices. Bluetooth wireless technology supports both short-range point-to-point and point-to-multipoint connections. The Bluetooth Specification, GL 11r02. March 2005, prepared by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference. 
     In one embodiment, of the invention, the wireless interfaces include: a wireless messaging, wireless cellular telephone, wireless cellular telephone data, Packet Cellular Network (PCN), Global System for Mobile Communications, (GSM), Generic Packet Radio Services (GPRS), Personal Communications Services network (PCS), Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) network, Voice over IP (VoIP) network or other types of wireless networks. 
     The wireless cellular telephone network includes, but is not limited to Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), or other wireless technologies. 
     PCS networks include network that cover a range of wireless, digital communications technologies and services, including cordless phones, mobile phones, voice mail, paging, faxing, mobile personal digital/data assistants (PDAs), etc. PCS devices are typically divided into narrowband and broadband categories. 
     Narrowband devices, which operates in the 900 MHz band of frequencies, typically provide paging, data messaging, faxing, and one- and two-way electronic messaging capabilities. Broadband devices, which operate in the 1850 MHz to 1990 MHz range typically provide two-way voice, data, and video communications. Other wireless technologies such as GSM, CDMA and TDMA are typically included in the PCS category. 
     GSM is another type of digital wireless technology widely used throughout Europe, in Australia, India, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. GSM is gaining popularity in the United States. GSM is a wireless platform based on TDMA to digitize data. GSM includes not only telephony and Short Message Services (SMS) but also voice mail, call forwarding, facsimile, caller ID, Internet access, and e-mail. 
     SMS is type of communications service that enables a user to allow private message communications with another user. GSM typically operates at three frequency ranges: 900 MHz (GSM 900) in Europe, Asia and most of the rest of the world; 1800 MHz (GSM 1800 or DCS 1800 or DCS) in a few European countries; and 1900 MHz (GSM 1900 also called PCS 1900 or PCS) in the United States. GSM also operates in a dual-band mode including 900/1800 Mhz and a tri-band mode include 900/1800/1900 Mhz. 
     GPRS is a standard for wireless communications, which runs at speeds up to 150 kilo-bits-per-second (“kbit/s”). GPRS, which supports a wide range of bandwidths is an efficient use of limited bandwidth and is particularly suited for sending and receiving small bursts of data such as e-mail and Web browsing, as well as large volumes of data. 
     CDPD is a wireless standard providing two-way, 19.2-Kbps or higher packet data transmission over existing cellular telephone channels. As is known in the art, a Packet Cellular Network (PCN) includes various types of packetized cellular data. 
     The medical records system further includes a secure audio dictation interface  27 . The audio dictation interface  27  allows a provider to securely access the medical records system  10  (e.g., via a secure web-page, secure dial-in, secure voice-mail, etc.) and dictate audio information via a microphone such as those attached to a computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant (“PDA”), etc. The dictated audio information is then stored in database  22  as an audio file in an appropriate audio format (e.g., a MIDI, WAVE, MP3, or other audio format). The audio dictation interface  27  also allows a medical transcriptionist to securely access a saved audio file and transcribe the audio information into electronic text. The electronic text is saved in database  22  and is associated with an electronic medical record created for a patient encounter as is explained below. 
     An operating environment for components of the medical the medical records system  10  include a processing system with one or more high speed Central Processing Unit(s) (“CPU”) and a memory or other computer readable mediums. In accordance with the practices of persons skilled in the art of computer programming, the present invention is described below with reference to acts and symbolic representations of operations or instructions that are performed by the processing system, unless indicated otherwise. Such acts and operations or instructions are referred to as being “computer-executed,” “CPU executed” or “processor executed.” 
     It will be appreciated that acts and symbolically represented operations or instructions include the manipulation of electrical signals by the CPU. An electrical system represents data bits which cause a resulting transformation or reduction of the electrical signals, and the maintenance of data bits at memory locations in a memory system to thereby reconfigure or otherwise alter the CPU&#39;s operation, as well as other processing of signals. The memory locations where data bits are maintained are physical locations that have particular electrical, magnetic, optical, or organic properties corresponding to the data bits. 
     The data bits may also be maintained on a computer readable medium including magnetic disks, optical disks, organic memory, and any other volatile (e.g., Random Access Memory (“RAM”)) or non-volatile (e.g., Read-Only Memory (“ROM”)) mass storage system readable by the CPU. The computer readable medium includes cooperating or interconnected or distributed computer readable medium, which exist exclusively on the processing system or be distributed among multiple interconnected processing systems that may be local or remote to the processing system and may be accessed by one or more CPUs or processors. 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention include computers, servers network devices and interfaces that are compliant with all or part of standards proposed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (“IEEE”), International Telecommunications Union-Telecommunication Standardization Sector (“ITU”), European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), Internet Engineering Task Force (“IETF”), U.S. National Institute of Security Technology (“NIST”), American National Standard Institute (“ANSI”), Wireless Application Protocol (“WAP”) Forum, Bluetooth Forum, or the ADSL Forum. However, network devices based on other standards could also be used. 
     Medical Information Templates 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  are a block diagram  34  illustrating an exemplary paper medical information template  12  including a front side  36  ( FIG. 2A ) and a back side  38  ( FIG. 2B ).  FIGS. 2A-2D  and  FIGS. 8-12  are copyright © 2002-2003 by Practice Velocity, LLC. All rights reserved. 
     Exemplary paper medical information template  34  is an exemplary medical information template  34  from the set of plural paper  12  and electronic  12 ′ medical information templates used, including plural different medical practice templates used for example, in a family practice office, emergency room, urgent care, or walk-in clinic or for any appropriate medical practice. Such a paper or electronic information template  34  is used by providers and other clinical personnel to complete documentation of history, physical exam, complexity of medical decision making, and other relevant information for an encounter with a patient. 
     The plural medical information templates  12  also include specialized paper medical information templates (not illustrated) such as those used for pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, cardiology, neurology, etc. Such specialized paper medical information templates are configured and laid out similar to the exemplary paper medical information template  34  of  FIG. 2  and are used to complete documentation for history, physical exam, complexity of medical decision making and other relevant information in a specialized area of medicine (e.g., for a physician with a specialized medical practice). 
     The plural medical information templates also include general and specialized electronic medical information templates  12 ′ ( FIGS. 17-23 ) that can be displayed and used on desktop and handheld network devices  18 . The electronic medical information templates  12 ′ can be displayed on desktop electronic devices such as computers, etc. or other types of desktop network devices  18 . The electronic medical information templates can also be displayed and used on hand-held electronic devices, such as, personal digital/data assistants (“PDA”), electronic tablets, (e.g., IPAD, by APPLE, KINDLE by AMAZON, etc.), Internet appliances, mobile phones, smart phones such as the iPhone by Apple, Inc., Blackberry Storm and other models, by Research In Motion, Inc., Droid by Motorola, Inc, other smart phones and mobile phones, etc., electronic gaming platforms (e.g., Play Station Portable (PSP) by Sony, the Gameboy and DS by Nintendo, etc.) or other types of handheld client network devices  18 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 2 , the paper medical information template  34  is designed such that the plural processing applications  26  may read and/or interpret data from a digital image made of a paper copy of a medical information template  34 , or directly from electronic medical information templates  12 ′ created for an electronic device. 
     The paper medical information template  34  includes a limited number of check boxes, blanks and diagrams or other pre-denoted fields to fill in. The limited number of choices helps reduce the amount and/or complexity of data to be reviewed and the number of diagnostic options to be considered while at the same time helping ensure the appropriate number and type medical codes will be generated for the patient encounter. 
     The medical information templates  12 ,  12 ′ including exemplary paper medical information template  34 , are not used as documents where diagnostic information is entered by a provider or other clinical personnel, where the responsibility for deciphering and selecting the appropriate codes is then performed directly by a physician or transferred to a person with knowledge of medical coding and medical codes (corresponding to various diagnoses, procedures or services), who manually enters the appropriate medical codes into a document or a medical records systems. 
     Instead, the plural medical information templates  12 ,  12 ′ are designed and laid out in a format that systematically documents the specific information, corresponding to medical codes that are a collection of the most common and most likely to encountered for a specific type of general or specialized medical practice. By simply completing the medical information templates  12 ,  12 ′ during a patient encounter, the physician (or other skilled medical personnel such as nurses, physician assistants, etc.) will cause many, if not all, of the proper medical coding to be automatically generated when the electronic images of the templates are processed by the medical records system  10 . 
     When they are processed by the medical records system  10 , the plural medical information templates  12 ,  12 ′ allow automatic generation and display in real-time, of the proper medical and insurance codes typically used by medical and health care providers for general and specific types of medical diagnosis&#39;s (e.g., emergency room or walk-in clinic diagnosis, specialized medical practices, etc.). The design and layout of the plural medical information templates  12 ,  12 ′ also allows automatic easy and efficient processing by the medical records system  10  and other types of data processing systems such as billing and invoicing systems 
     The plural medical information templates  12 ,  12 ′ may simplify documentation using any of the following methods: (1) reducing the complexity associated with choosing the correct level of medical decision making by allowing only a small number of check boxes (or other easily-denoted fields) for each level of risk; (2) eliminate the use of amount and/or complexity of medical data to be reviewed. Selected data may be eliminated on templates designed for practices where extensive review of such data is very rare. However, check boxes (or other easily-denoted fields) for other data may be placed on templates for medical practices where use of this category is helpful for determining a proper level of CPT E/M coding; (3) limiting and categorizing a number of diagnoses or management options thereby further reducing risk and complexity. Check boxes (or other easily-denoted fields) are used directly for categorizing the number of diagnoses or management options. The check boxes (or other easily-denoted fields) are limited in number to those in each category allowed by current coding guidelines. The provider may check as many as possible, but can not check too many, as the check boxes on the template are limited as noted above; (4) electronically process, display and utilize in real-time patient encounter information recorded on a paper medical template  12  after the paper medical template has been converted into a digital image; (5) help electronically process, display, and utilize in real-time data recorded on electronic medical templates  12 ′ after the electronic medical information template has been processed; and (6) allow easy changes of coding definitions. If coding definitions are changed by any entity, changes are easily made within the method and system. The one or more different electronic medical templates are continuously and dynamically updated on the client network devices  18  via the communications network  24 . 
       FIG. 2B  also includes an exemplary information area  40  with four check-boxes for the Neck as is explained in connection with  FIG. 3 . In addition,  FIG. 2B  illustrates an exemplary information area  41  with plural check boxes for completing a medical diagnosis as is explained below in connection with Table 3. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram  42  illustrating portions of the exemplary paper medical information template  34  from  FIG. 2B . For example, the exemplary paper medical information template  34  on its back side  38  ( FIG. 2B ) includes a box labeled “Neck”  40  and a box labeled “Diagnoses”  41 . 
     A Neck box  40  ( FIG. 3 ) includes two columns of check boxes  44 ,  46  typically identified by colors including for example, green and red. The green check box is the first or leftmost check box and the red check box is the second or rightmost check box. The green check box indicates the provider examined the patient, but the patient does not have any abnormality in the indicated body area or system. The red check box indicates the provider examined the patient, but the patient does have one or more abnormalities in the indicated body area or system. However, the exemplary paper medical information template  34  is not limited to such check boxes and other colors, other designations and other layouts for the check boxes can also be used. 
     For example, the Neck box  40  includes a first row  48  labeled “Exam (mass, appearance, symmetry, trachea, crepitus)” and a second row  40  labeled “Thyroid (enlargement, tenderness, mass).” 
     The information in these rows may include some or all of the specified physical exam items from the published guidelines for CPT E/M codes related to the neck. Thus, a physicians (or other skilled medial personnel) with no knowledge or a large amount of knowledge of medical coding practices can use the medical information template efficiently. In both situations, the proper medical codes are generated automatically for the patient encounter. Coding is not based on the coding knowledge of the provider (or other skilled medical personnel), but rather on the actual documentation of the encounter on the patient&#39;s medical record. 
     During an examination of the patient, the provider might check the patient&#39;s neck if the patient was in an automobile accident or otherwise complained of neck pain. If the patient&#39;s neck exam was normal, the physical would check the green check box column  44  of the first row  48  in the Neck box  38 . (See  FIG. 2D ). 
     If the patient&#39;s neck exam was abnormal, the provider would check the red check box column  46  of the first row  48  in the Neck box  40 . 
     The provider need not specify and document the actual abnormality using handwritten, typed text, voice dictation, or choose from a list of specific abnormal conditions. A similar procedure would be followed during the examination of the patient&#39;s Thyroid in the second row  50  of the Neck box  40 . 
     Diagnoses box  41  includes check boxes for new and established diagnoses. It also includes a range of possible levels of medical diagnoses from minor to complex as is explained below. 
     The plural medical information templates  12 , including exemplary paper medical information template  34 , are scanned into the medical records system  10  via scanner  14 . Patient encounter information is collected from the plural electronic medical information templates  12 ′ via a number of other methods via a communications connection established with the server computers  20  via the communications network  24  (e.g., infrared connection, or other wired or wireless connection via a Personal Digital Assistant (“PDA”), mobile phone, etc.). 
     The data on the plural medical information templates  12 ,  12 ′ is used for multiple purposes including (but not limited to) those purpose illustrated in Table 1a. However, the present invention is not limited to the purposes limited in Table 1a and more, fewer or other purposes can also be used to practice the invention. 
                         TABLE 1a                  1.   Coding of and/or billing for Evaluation and Management codes            (“E/Ms”) codes in real-time.       2.   Coding of and/or billing for Current Procedural Terminology            (“CPTs”) codes in real-time.       3.   Coding of and/or billing for Health Care Financing Administration            Common Procedural Coding System (“HCPCS”) codes in real-time.       4.   Coding of and/or billing for International Classification of Diseases            (“ICD-9”) 9 th  or 10 th  (“ICD-10”) Edition Clinical Modification codes            in real-time.       5.   Coding of modifiers to be attached to the above-generated codes.       6.   Coding of and/or billing for other codes for medical services as            defined by governmental agencies, medical associations, insurance            companies, other payers, or any other entity that creates or defines            codes or a system of codes for the purposes of documenting and/or            billing medical services or supplies in real-time.       7.   Production of a paper or electronic invoice 75 (FIG. 4) in real-time            immediately after a patient encounter using one or more of the            medical codes described in 1-5.       8.   Production an electronic medical record in real-time immediately            after a patient encounter using or more of the medical codes            described in 1-5.       9.   Production of other plural electronic templates used to display            patient encounter information in real-time.       10.   Evaluating the medical data for regulatory compliance (e.g., HIPAA,            etc.)       11.   Evaluating appropriateness of medical care.       12.   Production of text documents through electronic conversion of data            on the paper medical record into an electronic medical record.       13.   Evaluating patterns of physician practices.       14.   Gathering data for medical research.       15.   Utilizing generated medical codes in other data processing systems            such as other billing and invoicing systems.       16.   Other applications deemed appropriate for use of this data while            protecting its privacy.                    
Data Flow in the Medical Records System
 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data flow  52  for the medical records system  10  for a paper medical information template  12 . The data flow  52  includes scanning a paper medical information template  12  (e.g., paper medical information template  34  of  FIGS. 2A and 2B ) into one or more digital images  54  with a pre-determined image format such as a Tagged Image Format (“TIF”) or other types of digital image formats (e.g., Bit Map (“BMP”), Graphics Interchange Format (“GIF”), Joint Pictures Expert Group (“JPEG”), etc.) known in the art, with scanner  14 . The paper medical record may also be scanned into other digital formats (e.g., other types of digital data) and the invention is not limited to scan the paper medical information template into a digital image. 
     The digital images are encrypted  56  to ensure the data it includes is protected and kept private. For example, the digital images may be encrypted using RSA encryption, Data Encryption Standard (“DES”) encryption, Advanced Encryption Standard (“AES”) encryption, or other encryption methods known in the art. 
     Devices and interfaces of the present invention include various types of security and encryption. Wireless Encryption Protocol (“WEP”) (also called “Wired Equivalent Privacy”) is a security protocol for WiLANs defined in the IEEE 802.11b standard. WEP is cryptographic privacy algorithm, based on the Rivest Cipher 4 (RC4) encryption engine, used to provide confidentiality for 802.11b wireless data. 
     As is known in the art, RC4 is cipher designed by RSA Data Security, Inc. of Bedford, Mass., which can accept encryption keys of arbitrary length, and is essentially a pseudo random number generator with an output of the generator being XORed with a data stream to produce encrypted data. 
     One problem with WEP is that it is used at the two lowest layers of the OSI model, the physical layer and the data link layer, therefore, it does not offer end-to-end security. One another problem with WEP is that its encryption keys are static rather than dynamic. To update WEP encryption keys, an individual has to manually update a WEP key. WEP also typically uses 40-bit static keys for encryption and thus provides “weak encryption,” making a WEP device a target of hackers. 
     The IEEE 802.11 Working Group is working on a security upgrade for the 802.11 standard called “802.11i.” This supplemental draft standard is intended to improve WiLAN security. It describes the encrypted transmission of data between systems 802.11X WiLANs. It also defines new encryption key protocols including the Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP). The IEEE 802.11 draft standard, version 4, completed Jun. 6, 2003, is incorporated herein by reference. 
     The 802.11i is based on 802.1x port-based authentication for user and device authentication. The 802.11i standard includes two main developments: Wi-Fi Protected Access (“WPA”) and Robust Security Network (“RSN”). 
     WPA uses the same RC4 underlying encryption algorithm as WEP. However, WPA uses TKIP to improve security of keys used with WEP. WPA keys are derived and rotated more often than WEP keys and thus provide additional security. WPA also adds a message-integrity-check function to prevent packet forgeries. 
     RSN uses dynamic negotiation of authentication and selectable encryption algorithms between wireless access points and wireless devices. The authentication schemes proposed in the draft standard include Extensible Authentication Protocol (“EAP”). One proposed encryption algorithm is an Advanced Encryption Standard (“AES”) encryption algorithm. 
     Dynamic negotiation of authentication and encryption algorithms lets RSN evolve with the state of the art in security, adding algorithms to address new threats and continuing to provide the security necessary to protect information that WiLANs carry. 
     The NIST developed a new encryption standard, the Advanced Encryption Standard (“AES”) to keep government information secure. AES is intended to be a stronger, more efficient successor to Triple Data Encryption Standard (“3DES”). 
     As is known in the art, DES is a popular symmetric-key encryption method developed in 1975 and standardized by ANSI in 1981 as ANSI X.3.92, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. As is known in the art, 3DES is the encrypt-decrypt-encrypt (“EDE”) mode of the DES cipher algorithm. 3DES is defined in the ANSI standard, ANSI X9.52-1998, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. DES modes of operation are used in conjunction with the NIST Federal Information Processing Standard (“FIPS”) for data encryption (FIPS 46-3, October 1999), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     The NIST approved a FIPS for the AES, FIPS-197. This standard specified “Rijndael” encryption as a FIPS-approved symmetric encryption algorithm that may be used by U.S. Government organizations (and others) to protect sensitive information. The NIST FIPS-197 standard (AES FIPS PUB 197, November 2001) is incorporated herein by reference. 
     The NIST approved a FIPS for U.S. Federal Government requirements for information technology products for sensitive but unclassified (“SBU”) communications. The NIST FIPS Security Requirements for Cryptographic Modules (FIPS PUB 140-2, May 2001) is incorporated herein by reference. 
     As is known in the art, RSA is a public key encryption system which can be used both for encrypting messages and making digital signatures. The letters RSA stand for the names of the inventors: Rivest. Shamir and Adleman. For more information on RSA, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,829, now expired, incorporated herein by reference. 
     As is known in the art, “hashing” is the transformation of a string of characters into a usually shorter fixed-length value or key that represents the original string. Hashing is used to index and retrieve items in a database because it is faster to find the item using the shorter hashed key than to find it using the original value. It is also used in many encryption algorithms. 
     Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA), is used for computing a secure condensed representation of a data message or a data file. When a message of any length &lt;2 64  bits is input, the SHA-1 produces a 160-bit output called a “message digest.” The message digest can then be input to other security techniques such as encryption, a Digital Signature Algorithm (DSA) and others which generates or verifies a security mechanism for the message. SHA-512 outputs a 512-bit message digest. The Secure Hash Standard, FIPS PUB 180-1, Apr. 17, 1995, is incorporated herein by reference. 
     Message Digest-5 (MD-5) takes as input a message of arbitrary length and produces as output a 128-bit “message digest” of the input. The MD5 algorithm is intended for digital signature applications, where a large file must be “compressed” in a secure manner before being encrypted with a private (secret) key under a public-key cryptosystem such as RSA. The IETF RFC-1321, entitled “The MD5 Message-Digest Algorithm” is incorporated here by reference. 
     As is known in the art, providing a way to check the integrity of information transmitted over or stored in an unreliable medium such as a wireless network is a prime necessity in the world of open computing and communications. Mechanisms that provide such integrity check based on a secret key are called “message authentication codes” (MAC). Typically, message authentication codes are used between two parties that share a secret key in order to validate information transmitted between these parties. 
     Keyed Hashing for Message Authentication Codes (HMAC), is a mechanism for message authentication using cryptographic hash functions. HMAC is used with any iterative cryptographic hash function, e.g., MD5, SHA-1, SHA-512, etc. in combination with a secret shared key. The cryptographic strength of HMAC depends on the properties of the underlying hash function. The IETF RFC-2101, entitled “HMAC: Keyed-Hashing for Message Authentication” is incorporated here by reference. 
     As is known in the art, an Electronic Code Book (ECB) is a mode of operation for a “block cipher,” with the characteristic that each possible block of plaintext has a defined corresponding cipher text value and vice versa. In other words, the same plaintext value will always result in the same cipher text value. Electronic Code Book is used when a volume of plaintext is separated into several blocks of data, each of which is then encrypted independently of other blocks. The Electronic Code Book has the ability to support a separate encryption key for each block type. 
     As is known in the art, Diffie and Hellman (DH) describe several different group methods for two parties to agree upon a shared secret in such a way that the secret will be unavailable to eavesdroppers. This secret is then converted into various types of cryptographic keys. A large number of the variants of the DH method exist including ANSI X9.42. The IETF RFC-2631, entitled “Diffie-Hellman Key Agreement Method” is incorporated here by reference. 
     However, the present invention is not limited to the security or encryption techniques described and other security or encryption techniques can also be used. 
     As is known in the art, IP is an addressing protocol designed to route traffic within a network or between networks. For more information on IP 54 see IETF RFC-791 incorporated herein by reference. 
     TCP provides a connection-oriented, end-to-end reliable protocol designed to fit into a layered hierarchy of protocols that support multi-network applications. For more information on TCP 58 see RFC-793, incorporated herein by reference. 
     UDP provides a connectionless mode of communications with datagrams in an interconnected set of networks. For more information on UDP see ITEF RFC-768 incorporated herein by reference. 
     As is known in the art, the HyperText Transport Protocol (HTTP) Secure (HTTPs), is a standard for encrypted communications on the World Wide Web. HTTPs is actually just HTTP over a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). For more information on HTTP, see IETF RFC-2616 incorporated herein by reference. 
     As is known in the art, the SSL protocol is a protocol layer which may be placed between a reliable connection-oriented network layer protocol (e.g. TCP/IP) and the application protocol layer (e.g. HTTP). SSL provides for secure communication between a source and destination by allowing mutual authentication, the use of digital signatures for integrity, and encryption for privacy. 
     The SSL protocol is designed to support a range of choices for specific security methods used for cryptography, message digests, and digital signatures. The security method(s) are negotiated between the source and designation at the start of establishing a protocol session. The SSL 2.0 protocol specification, by Kipp E. B. Hickman, 1995 is incorporated herein by reference. 
     As is known in the art, Transport Layer Security (TLS) provides communications privacy over the Internet. The protocol allows client/server applications to communicate over a transport layer (e.g., TCP) in a way that is designed to prevent eavesdropping, tampering, or message forgery. For more information on TLS see IETF RFC-2246, incorporated herein by reference. 
     The encrypted digital images are compressed and packaged  58  to reduce their size and speed up transmission over the communications network  24 . For example, the encrypted digital images may be compressed and packaged using PKZIP, by Pkware, Inc. of Brown Deere, Wis., WINZIP, by Microsoft, Inc. of Redmond, Wash., or other types of data compression and data packaging methods known in the art. 
     The compressed encrypted digital images are securely transmitted  60  over the communications network  24  to the server computer  20 . For example, compressed encrypted digital images are securely transmitted via a Secure Sockets Layer (“SSL”) (e.g., using an encryption key of 1000-bits or more to protect privacy of the digital images), using the File Transfer Protocol (“FTP”). 
     As is known in the art, a “secure transmission” over a communications network includes a transmission over a communications connection that is protected against unauthorized access, operation, or use, by means of encryption, or other forms of control or security. 
     However, other secure transmission techniques (e.g., RSA, DES, AES, data encryption, Internet Protocol Security (“IPsec”), etc.) and other data protocols (e.g., Transmission Control Protocol (“TCP”)/Internet Protocol (“IP”), User Datagram Protocol (“UDP”), etc.) known in the art can also be used. 
     The server computer  20  securely receives the compressed encrypted digital images and un-compresses  62  encrypted digital images back to their original size. The server computer  20  decrypts  64  the un-compressed digital images to obtain the original digital images  54  scanned into the medical records processing system  10 . 
     The original digital images  54  are processed  66  by the plural processing applications  26 . For example, the medical template reader application  28  extracts patient encounter information from the original digital images  54  and creates a number of internal data structures used to verify and store the patent encounter information as is described below. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, if the medical template reader application  28  determines that it can not accurately determine specific patient encounter information from the original digital images  54  (e.g., can not electronically scan and process the s or other medical personnel&#39;s handwriting, marks on check boxes overlap, etc.), the patient encounter information in question is electronically highlighted on the original digital images  54  and displayed  68  in real-time by the medical data presentation application  32  for a human user to interpret and/or verify  70 . 
     This real-time verification application  33  allows errors and/or inconsistencies in electronic interpretation of the data on the digital images  54  from the scanned paper templates  12  or original electronic data entered into an electronic template  12 ′ to be immediately corrected by a human user. If the digital image is missing necessary, important, required or relevant data (e.g., provider signature, vital signs, patient demographics, etc) this information may be returned to the provider so that the provider appropriately completes this data and the paper template is rescanned. 
     As is known in the art, “real-time” operations are those in which a computer&#39;s systems activities match a human perception of a time period or are computer system operations that proceed at rate similar to an external physical process. In another embodiment of the invention, near real-time or non-real-time processing can also be used. In one embodiment of the invention, real-time operations are conducted in a time-period of a few milli-seconds or faster in length. 
     In another embodiment of invention, if the medical template reader application  28  can not properly determine patient encounter information from the original digital images  54 , a determination as a “best guess” is made for the patient encounter information in question using one or more internal (e.g., software  33 , hardware, firmware, etc.) digital image analysis techniques available to the medical template reader application  28 . This embodiment does not necessarily rely on verification by a human user. 
     If the medical template reader application  28  has determined patient encounter information from the original digital images  54 , and this has been verified and/or corrected by a human user the medical code processing engine  30  automatically generates the appropriate medical codes (e.g., E/M, CPT, HCPCS, etc.) in real-time for the patient encounter information using the internal data structures of stored patient encounter information. The generated medical codes along with the original digital images  54  including the patient encounter information, other patient encounter information extracted and other patient encounter information newly generated (e.g., a new electronic medical information record, an electronic invoice  75 , etc.) are stored  72  in the database  22 . 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the generated medical codes, generated tables of patient encounter information and the original digital images  54  are stored  72  in databases  22 , wherein databases  22  are relational databases. The generated medical codes and the original digital images  50  are stored in an open database connectivity (“ODBC”) format using structure query language (“SQL”) commands to access the databases  22 . 
     However, the invention is not limited to such an embodiment and other types of databases (e.g., non-relational), database formats and database commands can also be used with the databases  22 . 
     As is known in the art, ODBC is standard database access method developed by Microsoft Corporation. ODBC makes it possible to access any data from any application, regardless of which database management system (“DBMS”) is handling the data. As is known in the art, SQL is database sublanguage used in querying, updating, and managing relational databases. 
     The generated medical codes are also used by the medical code processing engine  30  to create an electronic invoice  75  or paper invoice  75  and a summary of the collected medical information for the patient in the form of an electronic medical record in real-time or sent to another data processing system for additional processing The electronic codes and electronic medical record is securely transmitted  74  (e.g., using SSL as described above) and is displayed  76  by the medical data presentation application  32  in real-time for medical office personal. Delayed processing may also be performed as appropriate to the specific situation (e.g., by another data processing system such as an external billing or invoicing system) 
     The electronic invoice  75  and electronic medical record can be displayed  76  in real-time via the medical data presentation application  32  on the client computers  16  (not illustrated), the server computer  20  (not illustrated), on another secure display  77  in the medical facility that collected medical information form the patient, or by any other authorized user on a computer (not illustrated) equipped for this display. 
     For example, if a patient entered a clinic and desired to pay by credit card or cash, immediately after being examined by a provider, the patient encounter information recorded on a paper medical information template  12  (e.g.,  FIG. 2 ) would be scanned in and processed as just described for  FIG. 4 . As the patient received his/her exit instructions (e.g., receiving instructions for prescribed medications, instructions to further threat an injury or illness at home, etc.) the medical codes generated in real-time are used to create an electronic invoice in real-time for the patient with an appropriate fee for the patient visit. Thus, the patient can be charged the appropriate fee immediately as he/she is ready to leave the clinic without delaying the patient any significant amount of time. This leads to greater overall patient satisfaction at a time when the patient is in pain or is not otherwise feeling well. This also leads to correct and immediate revenue for the medical facility and/or physician. 
     The electronic invoice and electronic medical record can also be securely transmitted  74  and displayed  76  at a later time (i.e., non real-time) for medical office personal for patients who are covered by insurance and for physicians who review the patient&#39;s chart at a later time. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data flow  78  for the medical records system of  FIG. 1  for an electronic medical information template  12 ′. Electronic medical information templates  12 ′ are processed in a manner similar to the paper medical information templates  12  described above. In this embodiment, patient encounter information is not recorded on paper medical information templates. Instead, it is recorded electronically directly on the electronic medical information templates  12 ′. 
     In one embodiment, the electronic medical information template  12 ′ is displayed on a computer screen or handheld network devices  18 . Digital information  80  from the electronic medical information template  12 ′ is collected and encrypted  82  on the electronic device to ensure the data is protected and kept private. 
     The encrypted digital information is compressed  84  on the network devices  18  to reduce its size and speed up transmission over the communications network  24 . The compressed encrypted digital information is securely transmitted  86  from the network devices  18  over the communications network  24  to the server computer  20 . 
     The server computer  20  securely receives the compressed encrypted digital information and un-compresses  88  encrypted digital information back to its original size. The server computer  20  decrypts  90  the un-compressed digital information to obtain the original digital information  80  collected electronically from the network devices  18 , 
     The original digital information  80  is processed  92  by the processing applications  26 . The medical template reader application  28  extracts patient encounter information from the original digital information  80  and creates a number of internal data structures used to store the patent information. 
     In this data flow, the verification steps described above for the paper electronic information templates  12 ′ are typically not necessary because there are no digital images to process, only original digital information  80  generated directly from the electronic medical information template. However, automated internal or human verification may also be performed. In addition, the verification application  33  may be used to check and verify either all information input into the electronic medical information templates  12 ′ or selected ones of the input information. 
     For example, if the medical information entered into the medical information template  12 ′ was for a male patient, and questions about pregnancy or menstrual periods were included in the information collected, the verification application  33  would automatically flag such inconsistencies for review. The verification application  33  is also used to flag inconsistencies between chief complaints and known interactions between one or more medications that the patient may be currently taking and/or new medications prescribed for the current patient encounter. 
     The medical code processing engine  30  automatically generates the appropriate medical codes (e.g., E/M, CPT, HCPCS, etc.) for the patient encounter information using the tables of patient encounter information. The generated medical codes are stored  94  along with the original digital information  80  including the patient encounter information in the database  22 . 
     The generated medical codes are used by the medical code processing engine  30  to create an electronic invoice (Table 7) and an electronic medical record ( FIG. 22 ) for the patient. The electronic invoice and electronic medical record is securely transmitted  96  (e.g., using SSL as described above) and is displayed  98  by the medical data presentation application  32  in real-time for medical office personal. 
     The electronic invoice (Table 7) and electronic medical record ( FIG. 22 ) are displayed  98  in real-time via the medical data presentation application  32  on the client network device  18 , the server computer  20  (not illustrated), on another secure display  99  in the medical facility that collected medical information form the patient via the medical data presentation application  32  or on the client network devices  18  from which the patient encounter information was collected (not illustrated). 
     The electronic invoice (Table 7) and electronic medical record ( FIG. 22 ) can also be securely transmitted  96  and displayed  98  at a later time (i.e., in non real-time) for medical office personal for patients who are covered by insurance and for physicians who review the patient&#39;s chart at a later time. Billing codes can also be electronically downloaded to other software applications for further processing, storage or transmission to other entities or other data processing systems. 
     In another embodiment, all the processing just described for the dataflow in  FIG. 5  is completed on the client network devices  18  (e.g., Method  184 , etc.). In such an embodiment, the client network devices  18  periodically are in secure communications with the server computer  20  at a later time via the communications network  24  to securely transmit a copy of all information collected and created for the patient encounter. In such an embodiment, the client network device  18  securely transmits the original and processed data to a display device in the medical facility for real-time display  99 . The real-time display includes the electronic medical record ( FIG. 22 ) as well as the electronic invoice (Table 7). 
     Processing Medical Information Templates 
       FIG. 6  is a flow diagram illustrating a Method  100  of processing medical information templates via the medical records system  10 . At Step  102 , one or more digital images created from a paper medical information template  12  are securely received on a server computer  20  via a communications network  24 . The digital images of the medical information template were created by scanning a paper copy of the medical information template  12  into the medical records system  10  via the scanner  14 . At Step  104 , the one or more digital images are automatically processed on the server computer  20  to extract patient encounter information. At Step  106 , one or more medical codes are automatically generated from the extracted patient encounter information. The one or more medical codes generated include, but are not limited to, one or more of E/M, CPT, HCPCS, ICD-9, ICD-10 or other types of codes. At Step  108 , the one or more generated medical codes are generated from the extracted patient encounter information are utilized on one or more electronic templates. The one or more electronic templates are displayed on a graphical user interface (GUI) or the one or more electronic templates are used to produce additional medical information documents. 
     The one or more electronic templates can be displayed on a GUI in real-time directly after a patient encounter providing immediate access to the one or more electronic medical information templates created from the one or more generated medical codes. 
     The one or more generated medical codes can also be utilized via the one or more electronic templates to produce additional medical information documents, such as invoices, medical records, etc. The additional medical information documents can be produced via exemplary medical records system  10  or be sent to other data processing systems (not illustrated) for further processing. For example, the one or more electronic templates including the one or more generated medical codes (e.g., as XML or other types of electronic templates) can be sent electronically to another data processing system, such as a 3 rd  party or external medical billing system, that creates and sends an invoice to the patient after the patient encounter. 
     In such an embodiment, the one or more electronic templates may never be viewed or displayed, but treated as data that is processed automatically by other data processing systems. In such an embodiment, Method  100  is used to create electronic data that is used as an interface to other data processing systems. 
     The one or more electronic templates include, but are not limited to, an electronic invoice template, an electronic medical record template, a current compliant template, a nurse template, a review template, a diagnosis template; a provider template; and other types of electronic templates. 
     Chief Complaint Determines Selection of Specific History Template(s): 
     The chief complaint template describes an organization of an electronic medical record in such a way that medical information provided by personnel (including but not limited to the provider, nursing staff or even the patient himself or herself), can be documented using other electronic templates (e.g., a history template) or another paper template. For example, when a provider/or patient selects chief complaint, an additional electronic template (e.g., a history template) specific to that complaint is generated based on the chief complaint of the patient. This additional electronic template (specific to a given chief complaint) includes information that a medical provider generally documents or could generally be expected to document for a given chief complaint. This information may include, but is not limited to appropriate history of present illness (“HPI”), review of systems (“ROS”), past medical family social history (“PMSFH”), allergies, medications, vital signs, etc. This information may or may not be modified by or for the medical facility that collected the patient encounter information (e.g., via a review template). 
     Diagnosis determines selection of specific physical exam, treatment and disposition template(s): In addition, the organization of an electronic medical record can be presented in such a way that a paper or an electronic template for a health-care provider for the majority of patients can be documented using another single electronic template (e.g., provider template). When a provider selects a diagnosis for a given patient, a specific electronic template is generated based on that diagnosis of patient (e.g., a diagnosis template). This specific electronic template (i.e., specific to the given diagnosis) includes information that the provider generally documents or could be expected to document for a given diagnosis. This information may include but not be limited to physical exam, treatments (including but not limited to medications, clinical procedures, dressings, splints, casts, crutches, changes in activity, or any other treatment), laboratory testing, diagnostic testing, referrals, consults, disposition, or any other items deemed relevant for the provider&#39;s documentation of this chart. A default set of the above data may or may not be set in advance, but can be modified by the provider. This information may or may not be modified by or for the medical facility that collected the patient encounter information (e.g., via a physician review template). 
     Method  100  may also further comprise generating an electronic invoice in real-time using the one or more medical codes calculated from the extracted patient encounter information. The electronic invoice includes a fee for the medical services provided during the patient encounter. The electronic invoice is presented in real-time via a graphical user interface (“GUI”) (not illustrated in  FIG. 6 ) or utilized in real-time via other data processing systems as was described above 
     Method  100  may also further comprise generating an electronic medical record in real-time using the one or more medical codes calculated from the extracted patient encounter information and other information extracted from the patient encounter information. The electronic medical record is presented in real-time via a graphical user interface (“GUI”) (not illustrated in  FIG. 6 ) or utilized in real-time via other data processing systems as was described above. 
     The patient encounter information is extracted by processing the plural check-boxes or other electronically interpreted data and is stored in internal data structures with plural fields on the server computer  20 . After Step  104 , the internal data structure fields include an indication of which check-boxes and data fields were used (i.e., checked or filled out), and portions of the digital images corresponding to the original paper medical information template  12  may be placed into defined locations on a newly generated electronic invoice template, electronic medical record template, or other electronic template (e.g., nurse, insurance, etc.). The internal data structure fields also include links to the original digital images  54 . 
     These internal data structure fields are also be used for (but are not limited to): (1) storing transcription of handwritten data (using handwriting recognition software, firmware or hardware) to replace the graphic image of handwritten data with transcribed text in the electronic medical record; (2) storing handwritten diagrams that are placed into an electronic template of an electronic medical record; (3) storing computerized text including generated medical codes, computerized text generated from check boxes and other information extracted from the patient encounter information that is displayed at various locations in one or more electronic templates such as the electronic invoice electronic medical record, etc.; (4) storing transcriptions of audio dictation data with transcribed text included in the electronic medical record via audio dictation interface  27 . 
     For example, when the paper medical information template  12  is used to document a patient encounter, a provider can mark the encounter as needing dictation. The electronic medical record created is marked with a status of “dictation pending.” The electronic medical record generated is pre-populated for the pending dictation text including information from the patient encounter. When the provider has time, he/she securely logs into the audio dictation interface  27  (e.g., via a secure web-site) on the medical records system  10  views a queue of patient charts awaiting dictation. A dictation voice file is captured from the provider via the dictation interface and is directly associated with the electronic medical record. In on embodiment, a medical transcriptionist later securely logs onto the same dictation interface, listens to the dictation file and generates an electronic transcript from the dictation. The medical record is populated with electronic information from the electronic transcript. Thus, the electronic medical records can also be dynamically populated with provider dictation text based on the result of the patient encounter. In another embodiment, voice recognition software is used to automatically transcribe the dictation into electronic text. 
     One set of patient encounter information extracted from the one or more digital images of the paper medical information template  12  at Step  104  (and Step  114  described below) includes extracting historical information (“HX”) obtained from the patient encounter and populating internal data structures. In one embodiment of the invention, extracted historical information is compared against predetermined values for an HX matrix (described below) for determining a historical value used to calculate a medical code. However, the invention is not limited to this embodiment and the extracted historical information can be used with other internal data structures to generate a medical code. In one embodiment, the HX matrix data structure is stored as data bits in a computer readable medium on the client network device  18 . 
     The HX information includes, but is not limited to, predefined elements that make up chief complaint (“CC”) information, history of present illness (“HPI”) information, past medical, family, social history information (“PFMSH”) and review of system (“ROS”) information. 
     Table 1b illustrates exemplary HX information collected. However, the present invention is not limited to this HX information, more, less and other types of HX information can also be collected from the patient encounter information. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1b 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 HX Information 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Chief Complaint (CC): 
               
               
                 Description of one or more problems (e.g., sore throat, chest pains, trouble 
               
               
                 breathing, etc.) 
               
               
                 History of Present Illness (HPI): 
               
               
                 Location; quality; severity; duration; timing; context; modifying factors; 
               
               
                 associated signs and symptoms. 
               
               
                 Past medical, family, social history (PFMSH): 
               
               
                 Medical History - the patient&#39;s past experiences with illnesses, operations, 
               
               
                 injuries and treatments. 
               
               
                 Family History - a review of medical events in the patient&#39;s family, 
               
               
                 including diseases which may be hereditary or place the patient at risk. 
               
               
                 Social History - an age appropriate review of past and current activities. 
               
               
                 Review of Systems (ROS): 
               
               
                 Constitutional; eyes, ears, nose, mouth, throat; cardio-vascular; 
               
               
                 respiratory; GI; GU; muscular; neurological; psychological; immune; etc. 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Another set of patient encounter information extracted from the digital images of the paper medical information at Step  104  and  114  includes extracting physical examination information (“PX”) obtained from the patient encounter and populating internal data structures. In one embodiment of the invention, extracted physical examination information is compared against predetermined values for a PX matrix (described below) for determining a physical examination value used to calculate a medical code. However, the invention is not limited to this embodiment and the extracted physical examination information can be used with other internal data structures generate a medical code. In one embodiment, the PX matrix data structure is stored as data bits in a computer readable medium on the client network device  18 . 
     Table 2 illustrates where body areas and organ systems from which PX information is collected. However, the present invention is not limited to this PX information, more, less and other types of PX information can also be collected from the patient encounter information. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 PX Areas 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Body Areas: 
               
               
                 Head, including face; Back including spine; Chest including breasts; 
               
               
                 Genitalia including groin and buttocks; Abdomen; Neck; Extremities; etc. 
               
               
                 Organ Systems: 
               
               
                 Constitutional; eyes; ears, nose, mouth, throat; cardio-vascular; 
               
               
                 respiratory; GI; GU; muscular; neurological; psychological; immune; etc. 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Table 3 illustrates possible levels of the physical exam types of PX information determined. This example uses one specific set of guidelines commonly referred to and published by the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services (“CMS”) as the 1997 Documentation Guidelines for Evaluation and Management Services, but can utilize other methods or guidelines as determined by the type of exam or by changes in prescribed or allowable guidelines. In addition, the PX information is exemplary only, and the present invention is not limited to such PX information. 
     The PX information is determined in part from processing the check-boxes completed in the medical diagnosis box  41  illustrated in  FIG. 2B  on the paper medical information template  12  and in  FIG. 3 . 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 PX Types 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 PF 
                 One to five elements identified by a bullet 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (e.g., one to five body areas or organs) 
               
               
                   
                 EXPF 
                 At least six elements identified by a bullet 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (e.g., up to a total of six organ systems) 
               
               
                   
                 DET 
                 At least twelve items identified by a bullet 
               
               
                   
                   
                 from 2 (or more) PX areas 
               
               
                   
                 COMP 
                 Two or more elements identified by a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 bullet in nine or more organ systems. 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The PX types include, but are not limited to: a problem focused (“PF”) exam that includes 1-5 specific exam elements identified by a bullet on the paper medical information template  12 ; an expanded problem focused exam (“EXPF”) that includes at least 6 specific exam elements; identified by a bullet, Detailed exam (“DET”) that includes at least 12 elements in two or more areas/systems, identified by a bullet; and a comprehensive exam (“COMP”) that includes documentation of at least two elements from each of nine areas/systems identified by a bullet. 
     Another set of patient encounter information extracted from the digital image of the paper medical information at Steps  104  and  114  includes extracting complexity of medical decision making information (“CX”) obtained from the patient encounter and populating internal data structures. In one embodiment of the invention, extracted complexity information is compared against predetermined values for a CX matrix (described below) for determining a complexity value used to calculate a medical code. In one embodiment, the CX matrix data structure is stored as data bits in a computer readable medium on the client network device  18 . However, the invention is not limited to this embodiment and the extracted complexity information can be used with other internal data structures generate a medical code. The CX information includes a number of diagnosis (“DX”) or treatment options and risk (“RISK”) information. 
     Table 3a illustrates exemplary CX information (e.g.,  FIG. 10 ). However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and other embodiments can also be used to practice the invention. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 3a 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 CX Types 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 DX 
                 RISK 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 straight forward (“SF”) 
                 straight forward risk (“SF”), 
               
               
                   
                 number of diagnosis, &lt;= one 
                 includes a self-limited or 
               
               
                   
                 (code 1). 
                 minor problem (code 1). 
               
               
                   
                 low number of diagnoses 
                 low risk (“LOW”), includes 
               
               
                   
                 (“LOW”), minimal (code 2). 
                 two or more minor 
               
               
                   
                   
                 problems, one stable 
               
               
                   
                   
                 chronic illness or an acute 
               
               
                   
                   
                 uncomplicated illness or 
               
               
                   
                   
                 injury (code 2). 
               
               
                   
                 moderate number of diagnoses 
                 moderate (“MOD”) 
               
               
                   
                 (“MOD”), multiple (code 3). 
                 includes one or more 
               
               
                   
                   
                 chronic illnesses with mild 
               
               
                   
                   
                 exacerbation, progression, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 or side effect treatment, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 two or more stable chronic 
               
               
                   
                   
                 illnesses, an undiagnosed 
               
               
                   
                   
                 new problem with uncertain 
               
               
                   
                   
                 prognosis or an acute illness 
               
               
                   
                   
                 with systemic symptoms or 
               
               
                   
                   
                 an acute complicated injury 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (code 3). 
               
               
                   
                 high number of possible 
                 high risk (“HIGH”), 
               
               
                   
                 diagnoses (“HIGH”), extensive 
                 includes one or more 
               
               
                   
                 (code 4). 
                 chronic illnesses with 
               
               
                   
                   
                 severe exacerbation, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 progression or side effects 
               
               
                   
                   
                 of treatment, or acute or 
               
               
                   
                   
                 chronic illnesses or injuries 
               
               
                   
                   
                 that may pose a threat to life 
               
               
                   
                   
                 or bodily function or an 
               
               
                   
                   
                 abrupt change in 
               
               
                   
                   
                 neurological status (code 4). 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The DX information includes, but is not limited to: straight forward (“SF”) diagnosis; a low number of diagnoses (“LOW”); a moderate number of diagnoses (“MOD”); and a high number of possible diagnoses (“HIGH”). This DX scoring can be performed using an objective scoring system. A unique aspect of this invention includes (but is not limited to) presentation of these choices in check-box form with each of a maximum number of choices in each category represented by a check-box. Scoring of the DX section can then be performed by adding a point value of each box to obtain the total score in the DX section. Although, scoring of the DX section is not limited to this method, if it is used the following scores correlate with the various levels of DX: (≦1) minimal; (2) limited; (3) multiple; or (4) extensive. 
     The RISK information includes: minimal or straight forward (“SF”) risk in which the medical problem is self-limited or a minor problem (e.g., cold, insect bite, etc.); low risk (“LOW”) in which the medical problem includes two or more minor problems, one stable chronic illness (e.g., well controlled hypertension or non-insulin dependent diabetes, cataract, etc.) or an acute uncomplicated illness or injury (allergic reaction, simple sprain); moderate risk (“MOD”) in which the medical problem includes one or more chronic illnesses with mild exacerbation, progression, or side effect treatment, two or more stable chronic illnesses, an undiagnosed new problem with uncertain prognosis (e.g., lump in breast or prostrate, etc.) an acute illness with systemic symptoms (e.g., pneumonitis, colitis, etc.) or an acute complicated injury (e.g., head injury with brief loss of consciousness); and high risk (“HIGH”) in which the medical problem includes one or more chronic illnesses with severe exacerbation, progression or side effects of treatment, or acute or chronic illnesses or injuries that may pose a threat to life or bodily function (e.g., multiple trauma, acute MI, pulmonary embolus, severe respiratory distress, progressive severe rheumatoid arthritis, psychiatric illness with potential threat to self or others, acute renal failure, etc.) or an abrupt change in neurological status (e.g., seizure, TIA, weakness or sensory loss, etc.). 
     In one embodiment of the invention, omission of analysis of an amount and/or complexity of data reviewed is completed Omission of this aspect of a CX matrix can alter a CX score of very few patient encounters, if the previously used scoring for DX and RISK are utilized. Scoring of an amount and/or complexity of data reviewed may be added to the medical records processing system  10  if indicated by physician utilization, patient population, or changes in coding guidelines. 
     Another set of patient encounter information extracted from the digital image of the paper medical information at Steps  104  and  114  includes extracting patient status information and patient demographic information. The patient status information includes, but is not limited to, new patient, existing patient, consult, pre-surgery, hospital, etc. The patient demographic information, includes, but is not limited to, patient date-of-birth, etc. 
     The patient status information and patient demographic information is used in certain situations to override or modify the one or more medical code automatically generated at Steps  106  (and Step  118  described below) and/or to generate additional medical codes. For example, the patient status information, such as admit to the hospital can automatically override or generate addition types of medical codes. As another example, the patient demographic information such as date-of-birth within a certain pre-determined range (e.g. very young or very old) can automatically override or generates other types of medical codes. 
     Another set of patient encounter information extracted from the digital image of the paper medical information at Steps  104  and  114  includes extracting medical diagnosis information for the problems described during the patient encounter. 
     Another set of patient encounter information extracted from the digital image of the paper medical information at Steps  104  and  114  includes extracting clinical procedure information, treatment information and supply information. The clinical procedure information, includes, but is not limited to, clinical or hospital or surgical procedure information, such as stitches, applying cast, a desired operation, diagnostic tests (e.g., x-rays, MRI scans, CRT scans, etc.) and other types of clinical procedure information. The treatment information, includes, but is not limited to, medications, physical therapy, etc. The supply information includes, but is not limited to, types of medical supplies used on the patient such as bandages, casts, crutches, etc. 
     However, the present invention is not limited to extracting the patient encounter information described and other types of patient encounter information can also be extracted. 
     One type of medical codes automatically generated at Step  106  (and Step  118  described below) includes CPT E/M codes for new outpatient visits. Table 4 illustrates a few exemplary such medical codes and their corresponding requirements. The codes in Table 4 illustrate only a selected few of the many AMA CPT E/M codes and the present invention is not limited to generating these exemplary medical codes. An amount of provider time spent on the patient encounter is also determined. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 New Outpatient: CPT Code 99201 
               
               
                   
                 HX: EXPF 
               
               
                   
                 PX: EXPF 
               
               
                   
                 CX: SF 
               
               
                   
                 Provider Time: 10 minutes 
               
               
                   
                 New Outpatient: CPT Code 99202 
               
               
                   
                 HX: EXPF 
               
               
                   
                 PX: EXPF 
               
               
                   
                 CX: SF 
               
               
                   
                 Provider Time: 20 minutes 
               
               
                   
                 New Outpatient: CPT Code 99203 
               
               
                   
                 HX: DET 
               
               
                   
                 PX: DET 
               
               
                   
                 CX: LOW 
               
               
                   
                 Provider Time: 30 minutes 
               
               
                   
                 New Outpatient: CPT Code 99204 
               
               
                   
                 HX: COMP 
               
               
                   
                 PX: COMP 
               
               
                   
                 CX: MOD 
               
               
                   
                 Provider Time: 45 minutes 
               
               
                   
                 New Outpatient: CPT Code 99205 
               
               
                   
                 HX: COMP 
               
               
                   
                 PX: COMP 
               
               
                   
                 CX: HIGH 
               
               
                   
                 Provider Time: 60 minutes 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Another type of medical code generated at Step  106  and  118  includes AMA CPT codes for established outpatient visits. Table 5 illustrates such exemplary codes and their corresponding requirements. The codes in Table 5 illustrate only a selected few of the many CPT E/M codes and the present invention is not limited to generating these exemplary medical codes. The present invention is not limited to the CPT E/M codes illustrated and the present invention implements all and/or selected ones of the possible CPT E/M. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Established Outpatient: CPT Code 99212 
               
               
                   
                 HX: PF 
               
               
                   
                 PX: PF 
               
               
                   
                 CX: SF 
               
               
                   
                 Provider Time: 10 minutes 
               
               
                   
                 Established Outpatient: CPT Code 99213 
               
               
                   
                 HX: EXPF 
               
               
                   
                 PX: EXPF 
               
               
                   
                 CX: LOW 
               
               
                   
                 Provider Time: 15 minutes 
               
               
                   
                 Established Outpatient: CPT Code 99214 
               
               
                   
                 HX: DET 
               
               
                   
                 PX: DET 
               
               
                   
                 CX: MOD 
               
               
                   
                 Provider Time: 25 minutes 
               
               
                   
                 Established Outpatient: CPT Code 99215 
               
               
                   
                 HX: COMP 
               
               
                   
                 PX: COMP 
               
               
                   
                 CX: HIGH 
               
               
                   
                 Provider Time: 40 minutes 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     According to current AMA CPT guidelines, time is only to be used to determine the level of E/M code if greater than 50% of the face-to-face time of the encounter involved counseling or coordination of care. If applicable coding guidelines are revised at some future date, then time may be factored as indicated by these changes. 
     Step  106  further includes creating a coding summary of the one or more medical codes generated from the extracted patient encounter information. The created coding summary is attached to the one or more digital images. The coding summary is used to verify that the proper medical codes were generated from the extracted patient encounter information and can be used by auditors to verify the proper medical codes were generated. 
       FIG. 7  is a Method  110  for automatically calculating a medical code from patient encounter. At Step  112 , one or more digital images created from a paper medical information template  12  are securely received on a server computer  20  via a communications network  24 . The digital images of the medical information template were created by scanning a paper copy of the medical information template  12  into the medical records system  10  via the scanner  14 . At Step  114 , the one or more digital images are automatically processed on the server computer  20  to extract patient encounter information. At Step  116 , historical information, physical examination information, complexity information, diagnosis, clinical procedures, tests, supplies and other data are collected from the extracted patient encounter information. At Step  118 , one or more medical codes are automatically generated from the information collected from the extracted patient encounter information. The one or more medical codes generated include, but are not limited to, one or more of E/M, CPT, HCPCS, ICD-9 ICD-10, or other medical codes. At Step  120 , an electronic invoice template and an electronic medical record template are automatically generated in real-time using the one or more generated medical codes collected from the extracted patient encounter information. At Step  122 , the electronic invoice template and the electronic medical record templates are displayed in real-time via a computer screen, printed report or utilized or transferred electronically to another software program, database or another data processing system. 
     Step  118  further includes creating a coding summary of the one or more medical codes generated from the extracted patient encounter information. The created coding summary is attached to the one or more digital images. The coding summary is used to verify that the proper medical codes were generated from the extracted patient encounter information and can be used by auditors to verify the proper medical codes were generated. 
       FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary HX matrix  124 . The HX matrix  124  is used to determine a history value from the historical information extracted from the patient encounter and used is to generate the medical codes. The HX matrix includes fields for the CC, HPI, PFMSH and ROS elements as described above. 
       FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary PX matrix  126 . The PX matrix  126  is used to determine a physical examination value from the physical examination extracted from the patient encounter and is used to generate the medical codes. The PX matrix includes fields for the PF, EXPF, DET and COMP elements as described above and a count of the check-boxes extracted as described in Table 3 above. 
       FIG. 10  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary CX matrix  128 . The CX matrix  128  is used to determine a complexity value from the complexity information extracted from the patient encounter and is used to generate the medical codes. The CX matrix includes fields for DX and RISK and the SF, LOW, MOD and HIGH elements as described above. 
       FIG. 11  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary final E/M matrix  130  for a new outpatient. In one embodiment, the E/M matrix  130  is stored as data bits in a computer readable medium on the client network device  18 . The final E/M matrix  130  is used to calculate a medical code with the historical value, the physical examination value and the complexity value determined from the HX  124 , the PX  126  and the CX  128  matrices. The final E/M matrix  130  includes possible values determined from the HX, PX and CX matrices. It also includes a set of medical codes that can be calculated.  FIG. 11  illustrates a set of CPT E/M codes, only for 99201 through 99205 as illustrated in Table 4.  FIG. 11  is exemplary only and the invention is not limited to this E/M matrix. The invention includes other plural matrices to generate other types of medical codes. 
       FIG. 12  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary final E/M matrix  132  for an established outpatient. The final E/M matrix  132  also includes values determined from the HX, PX and CX matrices. It also includes a set of medical codes that can be calculated.  FIG. 12  illustrates a set of CPT E/M codes, only for 99212 through 99215 as illustrated in Table 5. In this example, only two of the three aspects of the HX, PX, and CX need meet the level for the final code.  FIG. 12  is exemplary only and the invention is not limited to this E/M matrix. The invention includes plural other matrices to generate other types of medical codes. 
     Method  110  is illustrated with an exemplary simple patient encounter. An 18-year female patient arrives at a family practice office as a new patient complaining of an acute bee sting on her right fifth finger. She indicates that she has no chronic medical problems, is using no medications and is not known to have a severe allergy to bee stings. She has only minor swelling and no other symptoms. The provider records the patient history on paper medical information template  34 , and the provider checks a only small number of check-boxes for the physical exam, template  40  and a minor, new problem in box  41  of  FIG. 2B . The patient encounter information is processed with Steps  112 ,  114  and  116  of Method  110 . 
     At Step  116 , referring to  FIG. 8 , a history value is determined from the HX matrix  124  using the historical information collected from the patient encounter and stored in the internal data structures. Since the chief complaint (“CC”) is a bee sting, the history of the present illness (“HPI”) is brief, the medical history is collected (i.e., not allergic to bee strings, no chronic medical problems, on no medications, etc.) and the review of systems (“ROS”) is limited to constitutional and respiratory systems, the history value returned from the HX matrix is EXPF for a “extended problem focused” complaint. 
     At Step  116 , referring to  FIG. 9 , a physical examination value is determined from the PX matrix  126  using the physical examination information collected from the patient encounter. The physical exam could be a PF value. 
     At Step  116 , Referring to  FIG. 10 , a complexity value is determined from the CX matrix  128  using the complexity information collected from the patient encounter. Since a local bee sting reaction is a minor, self-limited problem, DX value is one. The patient may be given over-the-counter medications so the RISK score is two. This makes the complexity value (“CX”) a straight forward, or SF value. 
     At Step  118 , referring to  FIG. 11 , a medical code is generating from the final E/M matrix  130  for a new outpatient using the history value of EXPF from the HX matrix  124 , the physical examination value of PF from the PX matrix  126 , and the complexity value of SF from the CX matrix  128 . The exemplary medical code and billing code generated is 99201. 
     Method  110  is illustrated with a second more complex exemplary patient encounter. A 58-year male established patient arrives at a family practice physician office complaining of acute onset of one hour of 10/10 chest pain, accompanied by shortness of breath. The patient suffers from chronic diabetes, has had his left leg amputated and has advanced heart disease, lung disease and kidney disease. There is a history of diabetes in his family and he is currently a heavy smoker of cigarettes. The provider records the patient encounter on paper medical information template  30  for which the provider checks a large number of check boxes and fills in a large number of blanks for the patient encounter including multiple check-boxes in box  41  of  FIG. 2B . 
     At Step  116 , referring to again  FIG. 8 , a history value is determined from the HX matrix  124  using the historical information collected from the patient encounter. Since the chief complaint (“CC”) is pain; the history of the present illness (“HPI”) is extended including four or more elements (location, chest; associated symptoms, shortness of breath; duration, one hour; severity 10/10); the past family, medical and social history is relevant and includes elements of both the medical and social history. (e.g., leg amputation, pain in fingers and kidney disease related to diabetes, heart and lung disease related to heavy smoking, older male) and the review of systems (“ROS”) includes multiple (≧10) systems (e.g., constitutional, neurological, cardio-vascular, respiratory, etc.), the history value returned from the HX matrix is COMP for a comprehensive history. 
     At Step  116 , referring again to  FIG. 9 , a physical examination value is determined from the PX matrix  126  using the physical examination information collected from the patient encounter. All elements identified by a bullet in over 9 areas/systems are documented in  FIG. 2B  so a COMP value (comprehensive exam) is generated. 
     At Step  116 , referring again to  FIG. 10 , a complexity of medical decision making value is determined from the CX matrix  128  using the complexity information collected from the patient encounter. Since the problems are new and additional workup is planned, the detailed exam (“DX”) value is four. Since the risk of morbidity or mortality is high based on the life-threatening nature of the patient&#39;s presentation, chief complaint the RISK value is also four. This makes the complexity of medical decision making value a HIGH value. 
     At Step  118 , referring to  FIG. 12 , a medical code is generated from the final E/M matrix  132  for an established outpatient using the history value of COMP from the HX matrix  124 , the physical examination value of COMP from the PX matrix  126 , and the complexity of medical decision making value of HIGH from the CX matrix  128 . The medical code generated is 99215. (See also Table 5). 
       FIGS. 2C and 2D  are a block diagram  133  illustrating a front side  135  and a back side  137  of another exemplary paper medical information form that further illustrates an exemplary coding summary  139  produced from exemplary patient encounter information. 
     The patient encounter illustrated in  FIGS. 2C and 2D  is fictitious and not the result of a real patient encounter. Thus, this fictitious medical data does not violate the privacy of any real individual under HIPAA or other federal or state laws. 
     This fictitious patient, a new outpatient, complained of a cough, chills, and tightness in the chest. During the patient encounter various boxes on the paper information template were checked off including a check of the patient&#39;s neck (box  40   FIG. 2D  and normal green box  44  illustrated in  FIG. 3 ). A diagnosis was also made in the Diagnoses box (new w/u complete box  41   FIG. 2D  and  FIG. 3 ) and the provider included handwritten notes. The provider spent about 30 with the patient. 
     The exemplary coding summary  139  is attached to the one or more digital images after the one or more medical codes are generated. The exemplary coding summary in box  139  is also illustrated in Table 6. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 CODING SUMMARY OUTPUT FROM PROCESSING OF 
               
               
                 EXEMPLARY PAPER MEDICAL INFORMATION FORM 
               
               
                 ILLUSTRATED IN FIGS. 2C and 2D 
               
               
                 (box 139) 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 E/M = 99203 
               
               
                 History = DET (CC = COMP; HPI = COMP; PFMSH = DET; ROS = DET) 
               
               
                 Exam = DET (13 Bullets; 6 Systems)/Complexity of MDM = MOD 
               
               
                 (DX = MOD; RISK = MOD; Data = N/A) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     As  FIGS. 2C and 2D  and Table 6 illustrate, an exemplary E/M code generated from this fictitious patient encounter was 99203 for a new outpatient (Table 5 and  FIG. 11 ). The exemplary E/M code of 99203 is generated with the methods described herein. 
     Table 7 illustrates an exemplary invoice automatically generated from the information in Table 6. However, the present invention is not limited to such an exemplary invoice and other invoices can also be automatically generated and used to practice the invention. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 7 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ERgent Care Clinic 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 Patient: John Doe (New) 
                 Date: Oct. 18, 2003 
                 Time: 12:00 p.m. 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 Chief Complaint: Cough and chest 
                 Exam: Detailed Exam 
               
               
                 Congestion chills 
                   
               
               
                 Fee: $59.00 
                 Doctor: Dr. Janet Smith 
               
               
                 Insurance: Blue Cross - Blue Shield 
                 Risk/Complexity: Moderate 
               
               
                 Expected Insurance Payment: $35.00 
                 Total Due from Patient: $14.00 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Exit Instructions: Fill prescription for DOXYCYCLINE, see family 
               
               
                 physician within three days. 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
       FIG. 13  is a flow diagram illustrating a Method  134  of processing medical information templates via a medical records system. At Step  136 , electronic data created from an electronic medical information template  12 ′ is securely received on a server computer  20  via a communications network  24 . The electronic data was created on a client network devices  18  using an electronic medical information template  12 ′. At Step  138 , the electronic data is automatically processed on the server computer  20  to extract patient encounter information. At Step  140 , one or more medical codes are automatically generated from the extracted patient encounter information. The one or more medical codes generated include, but are not limited to, one or more of E/M, CPT, HCPCS, ICD-9, ICD-10, or other types of codes. At Step  142 , the one or more medical codes generated from the extracted patient encounter information are presented on one or more electronic templates that are displayed on a graphical user interface (GUI) or the one or more electronic templates are utilized to produce additional medical information documents. The one or more electronic templates include, but are not limited to, an electronic invoice template, an electronic medical record template, a current compliant template, a nurse template, a review template, a diagnosis template; a provider template; and other types of electronic templates electronically to another software program, database or another data processing system. 
     Method  134  is used to process digital data extracted patient encounter information entered on client network devices  18  using an electronic medical information template  12 ′ instead of a paper medical information template. Method  134  processes such electronic data in a manner similar to the digital images described for Methods  100  and  110 . 
       FIG. 14  is a flow diagram illustrating a Method  144  of processing medical information templates via the medical records system. At Step  146 , one or more medical codes are generated automatically from patient encounter information extracted from one or more digital images created from a paper medical information template  12  for an encounter with a patient. The one or more medical codes generated include, but are not limited to, one or more of E/M, CPT, HCPCS, ICD-9, IDC-10, or other medical codes. At Step  148 , one or more electronic templates are generated automatically using the one or more generated medical codes and other information extracted from the extracted patient encounter information. The one or more electronic templates include, but are not limited to, an electronic invoice template, an electronic medical record template, a current compliant template, a nurse template, a review template, a diagnosis template; a provider template; and other types of electronic templates. At Step  150 , the one or more electronic templates that are displayed on a graphical user interface (GUI) or the one or more electronic templates that are utilized to produce additional medical information documents including the one or more medical codes generated from the extracted patient encounter information and other information extracted from the extracted patient encounter information. 
     Step  146  further includes creating a coding summary of the one or more medical codes generated from the extracted patient encounter information. The created coding summary is attached to the one or more digital images. The coding summary is used to verify that the proper medical codes were generated from the extracted patient encounter information and can be used by auditors to verify the proper medical codes were generated. 
     The methods and systems described herein were illustrated with respect to a patient examination view or perspective. However, the invention is not limited to this view or perspective. The methods and system described herein are also used to provide automated processing and real-time collection and display of other types of medical information associated with, or generated by a patient encounter to provide 360° view of an individual patient after a patient encounter. The methods and system are used to process, display and/or utilize in real-time all available information for a patient immediately after a patient encounter. 
     Although description of this method has been limited to the outpatient encounter, this same methodology may be applied to documentation and coding of in-hospital encounters, consults, preventative examinations and other types of patient encounters. 
       FIG. 15  is a block diagram illustrating a 360° real-time view  152  of a patient encounter. The 360° real-time view includes, but not limited to, HX  154 , PX  156 , CX  158  matrix information extracted, diagnostic procedures ordered  160  (e.g., blood tests, x-rays. MRI scans. CT scans, etc.); diagnostic procedures results  162 ; treatment plans  164 ; referral information  166 ; dictation information  168 ; patient insurance information  170 ; provider information  172 ; and information such drug testing information  174 , workmen&#39;s comp information  176 , legal information  178 , and other types of information  180  associated with a patient and/or a patient encounter. 
     Processing Patient Encounter Information from Electronic Medical Information Templates 
       FIG. 16  is a flow diagram illustrating a Method  182  for automated processing of medical information. At Step  184 , patient encounter data collected from a patient encounter on an electronic medical template is aggregated in real-time on a first application on a first network device with one or more processors. The patient encounter data is aggregated into plural information matrixes stored in a computer readable medium on the first network device associated with the first application including: a historical information (HX) matrix, a patient examination (PX) matrix and a complexity risk (CX) information matrix, each with plural matrix information fields stored in the computer readable medium. The CX information matrix helps eliminate an amount and complexity of patient encounter data collected and a number of diagnostic options to be considered during the patient encounter thereby reducing a medical risk associated with making a complex medical decision and limiting an amount and complexity of patient data to be processed and reviewed. At Step  186 , plural summary values are generated from the plural information matrixes via the first application. At Step  188 , one or more medical and billing codes are generated via one or more summary information matrixes using the plural summary values generated from the plurality of information matrixes via the first application. At Step  190 , an electronic patient medical record is generated from the aggregated patient encounter data and one or more generated medical and billing codes. At Step  192 , the generated electronic patent medical record generated from the patent encounter is displayed in real-time via the first application on the first network device via a graphical user interface (GUI) the electronic including complexity risk information for the patient encounter. The electronic medical record provides a 360 degree real-time view of medical, billing, insurance and other information collected and generated from the patient encounter. 
     Method  182  is illustrated with one exemplary embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to such an exemplary embodiment and other embodiments can also be used to practice the invention. 
     In such an exemplary embodiment at Step  184 , patient encounter data collected from a patient encounter ( FIGS. 2D, 2D  displayed electronically instead of using paper templates) on an electronic medical template  12 ′ is aggregated on a first application  26  (e.g.,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  33 , etc.) on a first network device  18  with one or more processors. The patient encounter data is aggregated into plural information matrixes stored as data bits in a computer readable medium on the first network device  18  associated with the first application including: a historical information (HX) matrix  124 , a patient examination (PX) matrix  126  and a complexity risk (CX) information matrix  128 , each with plural matrix information fields (e.g., Tables, 1-5,  FIGS. 8-10 ). The CX information matrix  128  helps eliminate an amount and complexity of patient encounter data collected and a number of diagnostic options to be considered during the patient encounter thereby reducing a medical risk associated with making a complex medical decision and limiting an amount and complexity of patient data to be processed and reviewed. 
     At Step  186 , plural summary values are generated from the plural information matrixes  124 ,  126 ,  128  directly on the client network device  18 . In another embodiment, the first application on the client network device  18  also establishes a communication via communications network  24  to server computer  20  and database  22  is used to generate additional summary values for the patient. 
     For example, if the patient is an established patient at the medical facility visited, then existing electronic medical information about the established patient can be retrieved from the database  22  and automatically added to the summary values. In one specific example, the additional summary values added may include existing medications prescribed to the patient, drugs the patient is allergic to, etc. Such an automatic update of the summary values helps lower the risk and complexity associated with the patient encounter as most medical patients do not have a clear understanding and do not clearly remember what medications may have been prescribed to them or exactly what drugs they may allergic to. A similar query may also be made to the patient medical insurance company to automatically obtain insurance coverage information. This helps lower the risk and complexity associated with insurance billing and/or collecting immediate payment from a patient after a patient encounter. However, such a query can only be made if the patient&#39;s medical insurance company has an electronic interface to provide such information. 
     In another embodiment, the methods and system described herein, including the dataflow  52  of  FIG. 4  can be used to input paper insurance records for the patient. In such an embodiment, all of the patient&#39;s insurance information would then be available electronically. 
     If the patient is a new patient at the medical facility visited, a query may be made to automatically obtain the new patient medical records. The new patient medical records are automatically processed to generate additional summary values from the medical records. However, such a query can only be made if the patient&#39;s medical provider has an electronic interface to provide electronic medical records. 
     In another embodiment, the methods and system described herein, including the dataflow  52  of  FIG. 4  can be used to input paper medical records for the patient. In such an embodiment, all of the patient&#39;s previous medical information from the medical records would then be available electronically. 
     In such embodiments, any information obtained from the quires to database  22  for any additional medical and/or insurance information is added to the summary values and/or used to create an additional type and count of the electronic check boxes used on the medical information templates and/or via the matrixes. 
     At Step  188 , one or more medical and billing codes are generated via one or more Evaluation and Management (E/M) summary information matrixes  130 ,  132  using the plural summary values generated from the plurality of information matrixes (e.g., Table 6,  FIGS. 11, 12 , etc.) 
     At Step  190 , an electronic patient medical record is generated from the aggregated patient encounter data and one or more generated medical and billing codes. 
     At Step  192 , the generated electronic patent medical record generated from the patent encounter is displayed in real-time via the first application  32  on the first network device  18  via a graphical user interface (GUI) including complexity risk information  154  for the patient encounter. The electronic medical record provides a 360 degree real-time view  152  of medical, billing, insurance and other information collected and generated from the patient encounter (e.g.,  FIG. 15 ). 
     In one exemplary embodiment,  FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary data flow and  FIG. 15  illustrates an exemplary real-time 360 degree view for the patient encounter described for Method  182  of  FIG. 16 . However, the present invention is not limited to these exemplary embodiments and other embodiments can also be used to practice the invention. 
       FIG. 17  is a block diagram of a screen shot  194  of a first portion  196  of an exemplary electronic medical information template. 
       FIG. 18  is a block diagram of a screen shot  206  of a second portion  208  of an exemplary electronic medical information template, 
       FIG. 19  is a block diagram of a screen shot  220  of a third portion  222  of an exemplary electronic medical information template. 
       FIG. 20  is a block diagram of a screen shot  234  of a fourth portion  236  of an exemplary electronic medical information template. 
       FIG. 21  is a block diagram of a screen shot  228  of a fifth portion  230  of an exemplary electronic medical information template. 
       FIG. 22  is a block diagram of a screen shot  248  of a sixth portion  250  of an exemplary electronic medical information template. 
       FIGS. 17-23  are copyright © by Practice Velocity, LLC. All rights reserved. 
       FIGS. 17-23  illustrate portions of exemplary electronic medical information templates  12 ′ displayed on a client network device  18 . However, these portions are exemplary only and many more and different portions for the electronic medical information templates  12 ′ are displayed on the client network device  18 . The portions of the medical information templates  12 ′ are stored in data structures in the computer readable medium of the client network devices  18 . 
       FIGS. 17-23  illustrate plural portions of electronic medical records templates  12 ′ generated for an exemplary fictional patient that enters an urgent care clinic as an existing patient that has visited this urgent care clinic before. 
     The exemplary fictional patient is a 64 year old male named David Smith and is in Exam Room 3. He has a bite wound from an unknown organism (e.g., a spider?, etc.) in the knee area. His application of ice made the bite area feel better. His temperature is 103° F., his blood pressure is 120/80. His pulse is 68 beats-per-minute. His in moderate pain and experiencing chest pain and muscle pain. He has heart problems, has a ventricular stunt installed, has had recent head and/or neck surgery. He is allergic to Penicillins. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates a first portion  196  of an exemplary electronic medical information template  12 ′. The first portion  196  is automatically and specifically sized to be displayed on a selected client network device  18 .  FIG. 17  illustrates two exemplary check boxes in a checked position  198 .  FIG. 17  illustrates a first portion of a medical information template to collect information about a new chief complaint (CC). In this example, the CC is a bite wound to the knee area. 
       FIGS. 17-23  illustrate a selection bar  200  that is selected to display various other portions of the electronic medical information template  12 ′. In embodiment, the graphical selection bar  200  includes graphical tabs to select portions corresponding directly to information collected for the HX, PX and CX matrixes  124 ,  126 ,  128  described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and the graphical selection bar  200  can include other graphical tabs and other graphical selection bars can also be used to practice the invention. For example, in another embodiment, the selection bar  200  may not make any direct reference to any the monikers used in the matrixes. 
     The graphical selection bar  200  also includes graphical tabs to display the generated medical and billing codes  202  and the generated electronic medical record  204 . 
       FIG. 18  illustrates a second portion  208  of the exemplary electronic medical information template  12 ′ including a Review Of Systems (ROS) portion. ROS was described above (e.g., Table 1b for the HX matrix  124 , etc.). The second portion  208  is automatically and specifically sized to be displayed on a selected client network device  18 . 
     The second portion  208  illustrates plural columns of green check boxes  210  (leftmost column) and plural columns of red of check boxes  212  (middle column). As was described above the green check box indicates the provider examined the patient, but the patient does not have any abnormality in the indicated body area or system. The red check box indicates the provider examined the patient, but the patient does have one or more abnormalities in the indicated body area or system. Plural green and red check boxes in the checked position are illustrated in  FIG. 18 . 
       FIG. 18  also illustrates a third column of gray check boxes to the right the red check boxes. The display order on  FIG. 18  is green, red, gray. In one embodiment, the gray check boxes are used to collect data for medical research studies and/or for statistical purposes, etc. The data collected by the grey check boxes is identified by a patient identifier that can be mapped back to the patient the data is collected from during the patient encounter. However, the data is stored just with a numeric patient identifier, so of the data is comprised, it does not violate any patient privacy rights under HIPAA. 
     In another embodiment, the third column of gray check boxes is used for specific practice types to provide additional data inputs to the HX, PX, CX and E/M matrixes  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  132  stored in the computer readable medium on the client network device  18 . 
     However the present invention is not limited to the number or color or purpose of check boxes described and more, fewer and other types of numbers, purposes and colors of check boxes can also be used to practice the invention. In addition, the check boxes can be replaced with other graphical features (e.g., radio buttons, bullet buttons, etc.) that can be displayed in an on and off position by selecting and/or deselecting the graphical feature. Check boxes were used on the electronic medical information templates  12 ′ since they were created and in some embodiments are identical to the paper medical information templates  12  used and described above. 
     For example, as is illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the exemplary patient with the bite wound to the knee has chest pain  214  and muscle pain  216  illustrated by a check mark in the red boxes for those recent symptoms. Additional text is entered  215 ,  217  by the provider via the client network device  18  to further describe the chest pain  214  and the muscle pain  216 . The physician may also dictate additional details about the patient encounter into the dictation interface  27 . 
     The exemplary patient does not have any of the other symptoms illustrated by the check mark in the green boxes for the other recent symptoms in the Constitutional box  218  such as no change in appetite, no fever, no chills, no sweats, no chest pressure, no fatigue, no weight loss, etc. 
       FIG. 19  illustrates a third portion  222  of the exemplary electronic medical information template  12 ′ including a Personal Family and Social History (PFSH) portion. PFSH was described above (e.g., Table 1b for the HX matrix, etc.). The third portion  222  is automatically and specifically sized to be displayed on a selected client network device  18 . The third portion  222  illustrates the patient is allergic to Penicillins  224 , and plural red check boxes are checked for the exemplary patient including heart problems  226 , head/neck surgery  228 , ventricular stunt  230 , and a smoker  232 . When the red check boxes are checked, the font on the electronic medical information template  12 ′ is changed to a bold font to make it easier for a viewer to visually determine a symptom from the patient encounter. Also, colored warning symbols (e.g.,  225 ) are used (e.g., in box  224  for the allergy to Penicillins, etc.) indicate additional warnings to the physician. Box  224  illustrates one type of medical information for an established patient that may be queried and obtained from server computer  20  and added to the electronic medical information template  12 ′ for the patient encounter. 
       FIG. 20  illustrates a fourth portion  236  of the exemplary electronic medical information template  12 ′ including a medical and/or diagnostic procedures ordered  160  portion  236 . The fourth portion  236  is automatically and specifically sized to be displayed on a selected client network device  18 . The fourth portion  236  currently illustrates a lab test tab  238  selected. The lab test tab  238  displays available lab and diagnostic tests that can be selected for the patient. 
       FIG. 21  is a block diagram of a screen shot  240  of a fifth portion  242  of an exemplary electronic medical information template. The fifth portion  242  illustrates a summary of the information collected via the HX, PX, CX and E/M matrixes and displayed under the Code Summary 4 tab  202  ( FIG. 17 ).  FIG. 22  illustrates a first box  244  for displaying a count of matrixes values  124 ,  126 ,  128  determined by check boxes checked on the various portions of the electronic medical information template  12 ′. Box  244  illustrates History, CC/HPI, ROS, PFSH, Physical and Data with a number five. Complexity, DX and Risk with number four. It also illustrates a suggested Final Code of a number four and a final E/M code of 99214 ( 132 ,  FIG. 12 ) for an established patient. 
       FIG. 21  also illustrates a second box  246  that includes a coding summary of the one or more medical and billing codes generated by Method  182  (and other methods described herein) from the exemplary electronic medical information template  12 ′ portions illustrated in  FIGS. 17-23 . Table 8 illustrates the coding summary displayed in Box  246  (e.g., 99214, etc.) determined from E/M matrix  132  ( FIG. 12 ). 
     The final E/M code  247  generated for this patient is 99214 (see  FIG. 12 ) based on the values determined from the checked boxes and applied to matrixes HX, PX, and CX illustrated in  FIGS. 8-10 . The final ICD9 codes generated include 786.59 and 034.0. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 8 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 CODING SUMMARY OUTPUT FROM PROCESSING OF 
               
               
                 EXEMPLARY ELECTRONIC MEDICAL INFORMATION TEMPLATE 
               
               
                 12′ PORTIONS ILLUSTRATED IN FIGS. 17-23 
               
               
                 and displayed in Box 246 on FIG. 21 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Suggested E/M = 99214 (using 1995 guideline . . . ) (item 247 FIG. 21) 
               
               
                 History = Comprehensive (CC/HPI = Extended: PFSH = Complete; 
               
               
                 ROS = Complete) 
               
               
                 Exam = Comprehensive (8 systems) 
               
               
                 Complexity = Moderate Complexity (DX = Multiple, Risk = Moderate; 
               
               
                 DR = Extensive) 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 ICD9 
                 786.59 - Chest Pain 
               
               
                   
                 034.0 - Sore Throat 
               
               
                 XRAY 
                 71020 - Chest 2 views, frontal and lateral 
               
               
                 LAB 
                 87880 - Strep Group A 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
       FIG. 22  is a block diagram of a screen shot  248  of a sixth portion  250  of an exemplary electronic medical information template  12 ′. The sixth portion  250  illustrates an exemplary electronic medical record  252  automatically generated in real-time from the patient encounter as the result of Method  182  (and other methods described herein. In one embodiment, the exemplary medical record is displayed by selected and displayed by selecting the Medical Record tab  202  ( FIG. 17 ). Any symptoms that the patient is encountering and were collected during the patient encounter are displayed in a different font color (e.g., red and bold) for easy viewing on the medical record  252 . For example, the chest pain  214  and muscle pain  216  collected from the red check boxes on  FIG. 18  are displayed in the different color fonts on the medical record  252  in  FIG. 22 . In one embodiment, the electronic medical record  252  also displays the coding summary including the final E/M code  247 . In another embodiment, the final E/M code  247  is not displayed on the electronic medical record  252 . However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and other embodiments can also be used to practice the invention. 
     As is illustrated in  FIGS. 17-23 , plural portions of the electronic medical information templates  12 ′ are automatically and successively displayed and automatically and specifically sized to be displayed on a selected client network device  18 . 
       FIG. 23  is a block diagram of screen  254  shot illustrating an exemplary first portion  196  of a medical information template on a smart phone  256 . In one exemplary embodiment, the application  26  ( 28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  33 ) is an application for a iPhone, by Apple, Inc as illustrated in  FIG. 23 . However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiments and other embodiments, can also be used to practice the invention. 
     In one embodiment, the portions of the electronic medial information templates  12 ′ displayed are identical to portions of the paper medical information templates  12 . In another embodiment, the portions of the electronic information templates  12 ′ are not identical to portions of the paper medical information template  12 . In such an embodiment, the portions of the electronic information templates  12 ′ displayed by the client network device  18  may appear in different orders, different sequences, different groups, etc. However, the methods described herein to automatically process medical information from the electronic medical information templates  12 ′ are used no matter how the electronic templates  12 ′ are portioned and/or displayed on the client network device. 
     Processing Electronic Medical Records with Cloud Computing Networks 
       FIG. 24  is a block diagram  258  illustrating an exemplary cloud computing network  24 . The cloud computing network  24  is also referred to as a “cloud communications network”  24 . However, the present invention is not limited to this cloud computing model and other cloud computing models can also be used to practice the invention. The exemplary cloud communications network includes both wired and/or wireless components of public and private networks. 
     In one embodiment, the cloud computing network  24  includes a cloud communications network  24  comprising plural different cloud component networks  272 ,  274 ,  276 ,  278 . “Cloud computing” is a model for enabling, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., public and private networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that are shared, rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction. 
     This exemplary cloud computing model for electronic information retrieval promotes availability for shared resources and comprises: (1) cloud computing essential characteristics; (2) cloud computing service models; and (3) cloud computing deployment models. However, the present invention is not limited to this cloud computing model and other cloud computing models can also be used to practice the invention. 
     Exemplary cloud computing essential characteristics appear in Table 9. However, the present invention is not limited to these essential characteristics and more, fewer or other characteristics can also be used to practice the invention. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 9 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 1. On-demand electronic content storage and retrieval services. Electronic 
               
               
                 medical records processors can unilaterally provision computing 
               
               
                 capabilities, such as server time and network storage, as needed 
               
               
                 automatically without requiring human interaction with each network 
               
               
                 server on the cloud communications network 24. 
               
               
                 2. Broadband network access. Electronic medical records processing 
               
               
                 capabilities are available over plural broadband communications networks 
               
               
                 and accessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by 
               
               
                 heterogeneous thin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, smart 
               
               
                 phones, tablet computers, laptops, PDAs, etc.). The broadband network 
               
               
                 access includes high speed network access such as 3G and/or 4G wireless 
               
               
                 and/or wired and broadband and/or ultra-broad band (e.g., WiMAX, etc.) 
               
               
                 network access. 
               
               
                 3. Resource pooling. Electronic medical records processing computing 
               
               
                 resources are pooled to serve multiple requesters using a multi-tenant 
               
               
                 model, with different physical and virtual resources dynamically assigned 
               
               
                 and reassigned according to electronic medical records processing demand. 
               
               
                 There is location independence in that an requester of electronic medical 
               
               
                 records processing has no control and/or knowledge over the exact 
               
               
                 location of the provided by the electronic medical records processing 
               
               
                 resources but may be able to specify a location at a higher level of 
               
               
                 abstraction (e.g., country, state, or data center). Examples of pooled 
               
               
                 resources include storage, processing, memory, network bandwidth, 
               
               
                 virtual server network device and virtual target network devices. 
               
               
                 4. Rapid elasticity. Capabilities can be rapidly and elastically provisioned, 
               
               
                 in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out and rapidly released to 
               
               
                 quickly scale for electronic medical records processing. To the electronic 
               
               
                 medical records processing storage and retrievers, the electronic medical 
               
               
                 records storage and retrieval capabilities available for provisioning appear 
               
               
                 to be unlimited and can be used in any quantity at any time. 
               
               
                 5. Measured Services. Cloud computing systems automatically control and 
               
               
                 optimize resource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level of 
               
               
                 abstraction appropriate to the type of electronic medial records processing 
               
               
                 services (e.g., storage, processing, bandwidth, custom electronic content 
               
               
                 retrieval applications, etc.). Electronic medical records processing usage 
               
               
                 is monitored, controlled, and reported providing transparency for both the 
               
               
                 electronic content provider and the electronic medical records processor 
               
               
                 requester of the utilized electronic medical records processor service. 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Exemplary cloud computing service models illustrated in  FIG. 24  appear in Table 10. However, the present invention is not limited to these service models and more, fewer or other service models can also be used to practice the invention. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 10 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 1. Cloud Computing Software Applications 260 for an Electronic Medical 
               
               
                 Records Processing Service (CCSA 262). The capability to use the 
               
               
                 provider&#39;s applications 26, 28, 30, 32, 33 running on a cloud 
               
               
                 infrastructure 268. The cloud computing applications 262, are accessible 
               
               
                 from the server network device 20 from various client devices 18 through 
               
               
                 a thin client interface such as a web browser, etc. The user does not 
               
               
                 manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure 264 including 
               
               
                 network, servers, operating systems, storage, or even individual 
               
               
                 application 26, 28, 30, 32, 33 capabilities, with the possible exception of 
               
               
                 limited user-specific application configuration settings. 
               
               
                 2. Cloud computing Infrastructure 264 for the an Electronic Medical 
               
               
                 Records Processing Service (CCI 266). The capability provided to the user 
               
               
                 is to provision processing, storage and retrieval, networks 24, 272, 274, 
               
               
                 276, 278 and other fundamental computing resources where the consumer 
               
               
                 is able to deploy and run arbitrary software, which can include operating 
               
               
                 systems and applications 26, 28, 30, 32. 33 The user does not manage or 
               
               
                 control the underlying cloud infrastructure 264 but has control over 
               
               
                 operating systems, storage, deployed applications, and possibly limited 
               
               
                 control of select networking components (e.g., host firewalls, etc.). 
               
               
                 3. Cloud Computing Platform 268 for the an Electronic Content Storage 
               
               
                 and Retrieval Service (CCP 2701). The capability provided to the user to 
               
               
                 deploy onto the cloud infrastructure 264 created or acquired applications 
               
               
                 created using programming languages and tools supported servers 20, etc.. 
               
               
                 The user not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure 264 
               
               
                 including network, servers, operating systems, or storage, but has control 
               
               
                 over the deployed applications 26, 28, 30, 32, 33 and possibly application 
               
               
                 hosting environment configurations. 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Exemplary cloud computing deployment models appear in Table 11. However, the present invention is not limited to these deployment models and more, fewer or other deployment models can also be used to practice the invention. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 11 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 1. Private cloud network 274. The cloud network infrastructure 264 is 
               
               
                 operated solely for an electronic medical records processing. It may be 
               
               
                 managed by the electronic content retrieval or a third party and may exist 
               
               
                 on premise or off premise. 
               
               
                 2. Community cloud network 276. The cloud network infrastructure 264 is 
               
               
                 shared by several different organizations and supports a specific electronic 
               
               
                 content storage and retrieval community that has shared concerns (e.g., 
               
               
                 mission, security requirements, policy, compliance considerations, etc.). It 
               
               
                 may be managed by the different organizations or a third party and may 
               
               
                 exist on premise or off premise. 
               
               
                 3. Public cloud network 278. The cloud network infrastructure 264 such as 
               
               
                 the Internet, PSTN, SATV, CATV, Internet TV, etc. is made available to 
               
               
                 the general public or a large industry group and is owned by one or more 
               
               
                 organizations selling cloud services. 
               
               
                 4. Hybrid cloud network 272. The cloud network infrastructure 264 is a 
               
               
                 composition of two and/or more cloud networks 24 (e.g., private 274, 
               
               
                 community 276, and/or public 278, etc.) and/or other types of public 
               
               
                 and/or private networks (e.g., intranets, etc.) that remain unique entities 
               
               
                 but are bound together by standardized or proprietary technology that 
               
               
                 enables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting for load- 
               
               
                 balancing between clouds, etc.) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Cloud software  262  for electronic content retrieval takes full advantage of the cloud paradigm by being service oriented with a focus on statelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability for electronic content retrieval. However, cloud software services  264  can include various states. 
     Cloud storage of desired electronic content on a cloud computing network  24  includes agility, scalability, elasticity and multi-tenancy. Although a storage foundation may be comprised of block storage or file storage such as that exists on conventional networks, cloud storage is typically exposed to requesters of desired electronic content as cloud objects. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the applications  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  33  offers cloud services for electronic content storage and retrieval. The applications  28 ,  30 ,  32  offers the cloud computing Infrastructure  264 ,  266  as a Service  62  (IaaS), including a cloud software infrastructure service  266 , the cloud Platform  268  as a Service  270  (PaaS) including a cloud software platform service  270  and/or offers Specific cloud software services as a Service  262  (SaaS) including a specific cloud software service  262  for electronic medical records processing. The IaaS, PaaS and SaaS include one or more of cloud services  262  comprising networking, storage, server network device, virtualization, operating system, middleware, run-time, data and/or application services, or plural combinations thereof, on the cloud communications network  24 . 
       FIG. 25  is a block diagram  280  illustrating an exemplary cloud storage object  282 . 
     The cloud storage object  282  includes an envelope portion  284 , with a header portion  286 , and a body portion  288 . However, the present invention is not limited to such a cloud storage object  282  and other cloud storage objects and other cloud storage objects with more, fewer or other portions can also be used to practice the invention. 
     The envelope portion  284  uses unique namespace Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs) and/or Uniform Resource Names (URNs), and/or Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) unique across the cloud communications network  24  to uniquely specify, location and version information and encoding rules used by the cloud storage object  282  across the whole cloud communications network  24 . For more information, see IETF RFC-3305, Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs), URLs, and Uniform Resource Names (URNs), the contents of which are incorporated by reference. 
     The envelope portion  284  of the cloud storage object  282  is followed by a header portion  86 . The header portion  286  includes extended information about the cloud storage objects such as authorization and/or transaction information, etc. 
     The body portion  288  includes methods  290  (i.e., a sequence of instructions, etc.) for using embedded application-specific data in data elements  292 . The body portion  288  typically includes only one portion of plural portions of application-specific data  292  and independent data  294  so the cloud storage object  282  can provide distributed, redundant fault tolerant, security and privacy features described herein. 
     Cloud storage objects  282  have proven experimentally to be a highly scalable, available and reliable layer of abstraction that also minimizes the limitations of common file systems. Cloud storage objects  282  also provide low latency and low storage and transmission costs. 
     Cloud storage objects  282  are comprised of many distributed resources, but function as a single storage object, are highly fault tolerant through redundancy and provide distribution of desired electronic content across public communication networks  278 , and one or more private networks  274 , community networks  276  and hybrid networks  272  of the cloud communications network  24 . Cloud storage objects  282  are also highly durable because of creation of copies of portions of desired electronic content across such networks  272 ,  274 ,  276 ,  278  of the cloud communications network  24 . Cloud storage objects  282  includes one or more portions of desired electronic content and can be stored on any of the  272 ,  274 ,  276 ,  278  networks of the cloud communications network  24 . Cloud storage objects  82  are transparent to a requester of desired electronic content and are managed by cloud applications  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  33 . 
     In one embodiment, cloud storage objects  282  are configurable arbitrary objects with a size up to hundreds of terabytes, each accompanied by with a few kilobytes of metadata. Cloud objects are organized into and identified by a unique identifier unique across the whole cloud communications network  24 . However, the present invention is not limited to the cloud storage objects described, and more fewer and other types of cloud storage objects can be used to practice the invention. 
     Cloud storage objects  282  present a single unified namespace or object-space and manages desired electronic content by user or administrator-defined policies storage and retrieval policies. Cloud storage objects includes Representational state transfer (REST), Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) and/or Application Programming Interface (API) objects and/or other types of cloud storage objects. However, the present invention is not limited to the cloud storage objects described, and more fewer and other types of cloud storage objects can be used to practice the invention. 
     REST is a protocol specification that characterizes and constrains macro-interactions storage objects of the four components of a cloud communications network  24 , namely origin servers, gateways, proxies and clients, without imposing limitations on the individual participants. 
     SOAP is a protocol specification for exchanging structured information in the implementation of cloud services with storage objects. SOAP has at least three major characteristics: (1) Extensibility (including security/encryption, routing, etc.); (2) Neutrality (SOAP can be used over any transport protocol such as HTTP, SMTP or even TCP, etc.), and (3) Independence (SOAP allows for almost any programming model to be used, etc.) 
     LDAP is a software protocol for enabling storage and retrieval of electronic content and other resources such as files and devices on the cloud communications network  24 . LDAP is a “lightweight” version of Directory Access Protocol (DAP), which is part of X.500, a standard for directory services in a network. LDAP may be used with X.509 security and other security methods for secure storage and retrieval. X.509 is public key digital certificate standard developed as part of the X.500 directory specification. X.509 is used for secure management and distribution of digitally signed certificates across networks. 
     An API is a particular set of rules and specifications that software programs can follow to communicate with each other. It serves as an interface between different software programs and facilitates their interaction. 
     Automated Processing of Electronic Medical Records with Cloud Computing 
       FIGS. 26A and 26B  are a flow diagram illustrating a Method  298  for automated processing of electronic medical records with cloud computing. In  FIG. 26A  at Step  300  data from a patient encounter is collected into a plural data fields on one or more different electronic medical templates on a first application on a first network device with one or more processors via a cloud communications network comprising: one or more public communication networks, one or more private networks, one or more community networks and one or more hybrid networks. At Step  302 , the first application aggregates in real-time the collected patient encounter data into a plural information matrixes stored in one or more cloud storage objects. The plural information matrixes include: a historical information (HX) matrix, a patient examination (PX) matrix, a complexity risk (CX) information matrix and an Evaluation and Management (E/M) summary information matrix, each with a plurality of matrix information fields. The plural information matrixes help eliminate an amount and complexity of patient encounter data collected and reduce a number of diagnostic options to be considered during the patient encounter, thereby reducing a medical risk associated with making a complex medical decision for the patient encounter and limiting an amount and complexity of patient data to be processed and reviewed. At Step  304 , the first application calculates in real-time plural matrix summary values from the plural information matrixes. At Step  306 , the first application calculates in real-time one or more medical and billing codes using the calculated plural matrix summary values. In  FIG. 26B  at Step  308 , the first application generates in real-time an electronic patient medical record with plural data fields from the calculated plural matrix summary values and the one or more calculated medical and billing codes. At Step  310 , the first application generates in real-time a patient invoice for the patient encounter from the generated electronic medical record. At Step  312 , the first application displays in real-time on the first network device via a graphical user interface (GUI) via the cloud communications network selected ones of the plural data fields from the generated electronic patient medical record, including complexity risk information for the patient encounter and the generated patient invoice wherein the generated electronic medical record provides a three hundred sixty degree view of medical, billing, insurance and other information collected and generated from the patient encounter. 
     Method  298  is illustrated with one exemplary embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and other embodiments can be used to practice the invention. 
     In such an exemplary embodiment at in  FIG. 26A  at Step  300  data from a patient encounter  27  is collected into a plural data fields  40 ,  41 ,  198 - 217  on one or more different electronic medical templates  12 ′,  196 ,  208 ,  222 ,  236 ,  242  on a first application  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  33  on a first network device  18  with one or more processors via a cloud communications network  24  comprising: one or more public communication networks  278 , one or more private networks  274 , one or more community networks  276  and one or more hybrid networks  272 . 
     At Step  302 , the first application  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  33  aggregates in real-time the collected patient encounter data into a plural information matrixes stored one or more cloud storage objects  282 . The plural information matrixes include: a historical information (HX) matrix  124 , a patient examination (PX)  126  matrix, a complexity risk (CX)  128  information matrix and an Evaluation and Management (E/M) summary information matrix  130 ,  132 , each with a plurality of matrix information fields. The plural information matrixes  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  132  help eliminate an amount and complexity of patient encounter data collected and reduce a number of diagnostic options to be considered during the patient encounter, thereby reducing a medical risk associated with making a complex medical decision for the patient encounter and limiting an amount and complexity of patient data to be processed and reviewed. 
     In one embodiment, the first application  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  33  offers a cloud computing Infrastructure  264  as a Service (IaaS)  266 , a cloud Platform  268  as a Service (PaaS)  270  and offers an electronic medical records processing Specific cloud software service  260  as a Service (SaaS)  262  including one or more different software services  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  33  for automated processing of medical records information. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment and more fewer and other types of cloud and non-cloud services can be used to practice the invention. 
     In one embodiment, Step  302  further includes automatically making one or more queries to a second application  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  32  on a second network device  20  with one or more processors via the cloud communications network  24  to obtain existing electronic medical records  252  or electronic medical insurance records for the patient, if any are available. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment and the present invention can be practiced with and/or without this additional query. 
     At Step  304 , the first application  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  calculates in real-time plural matrix summary values ( FIGS. 8-10 ) from the plural information matrixes  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  132 . 
     At Step  306 , the first application calculates  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  in real-time one or more medical and billing codes  247  ( FIGS. 11, 12, 21 , Tables 4 and 5, etc.) using the calculated plural matrix summary values  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  132 . 
     In  FIG. 26B  at Step  308 , the first application  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  generates in real-time an electronic patient medical record  252  with plural data fields from the calculated plural matrix summary values  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  132  and the one or more calculated medical and billing codes  247 . 
     At Step  310 , the first application  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  generates in real-time a patient invoice  75  for the patient encounter from the generated electronic medical record  252 . 
     At Step  312 , the first application  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  securely displays in real-time on the first network device  18  via a graphical user interface (GUI) via the cloud communications network  24  selected ones of the plural data fields from the generated electronic patient medical record  252 , including complexity risk information  247  for the patient encounter and the generated patient invoice  75  wherein the generated electronic medical record  252  provides a three hundred sixty degree view  77 ,  99  of medical, billing, insurance and other information collected and generated from the patient encounter. 
     In one embodiment, the secure display includes using the security and/or encryption methods (e.g., WEP, DES, 3DES, AES, MD5, SSL TLS, etc.) described herein to securely display information from the patient encounter. 
     In all methods and systems described herein, secure sending, receiving, storage and viewing of patient information on the cloud communications network  24  and/or non-cloud communications network  24  is necessary and is used as required under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”), 42 U.S.C. 1320d, et. seq. and other Federal and state laws enacted in the United States to protect patient privacy. 
       FIG. 27  is a flow diagram illustrating a Method  312  for automated processing of electronic medical records with cloud computing. At Step  314 , the first application securely stores the generated electronic patient medical record from the patient encounter in a first set of one or more cloud storage objects on the cloud communications network. At Step  316 , the first application securely stores the generated patient invoice for the patient encounter in a second set of one or more cloud storage objects on the cloud communications network. 
     Method  312  is illustrated with one exemplary embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and other embodiments can be used to practice the invention. 
     In such an exemplary embodiment at Step  314  the first application  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  33  securely stores the generated electronic patient medical record  252  from the patient encounter in a first set of one or more cloud storage objects  282  on the cloud communications network  24 . 
     At Step  316 , the first application  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  33  securely stores the generated patient invoice  75  for the patient encounter in a second set of one or more cloud storage objects  282 ′ on the cloud communications network  24 . 
       FIG. 28  is a flow diagram illustrating a Method  318  for automated processing of electronic medical records with cloud computing. At Step  320 , the first application securely sends in real-time on the first network device a location of the first set of one or more cloud storage objects for generated electronic patient medical record and a location of the second set of one or more cloud storage objects for the generated patient invoice to a second application on a server network device with one or more processors via the cloud communications network. At Step  322 , the second application on the server network device securely displays on a display component via a graphical user interface (GUI) selected ones of the plurality of data fields from the generated electronic patient medical record, including complexity risk information for the patient encounter and the generated patient invoice wherein the generated electronic medical record provides a three hundred-sixty degree view of medical, billing, insurance and other information collected and generated from the patient encounter. 
     Method  318  is illustrated with one exemplary embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and other embodiments can be used to practice the invention. 
     In such an exemplary embodiment at Step  320 , the first application  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  33 , securely sends in real-time on the first network device  18  a location of the first set of one or more cloud storage objects  282  for generated electronic patient medical record  252  and a location of the second set of one or more cloud storage objects  282 ′ for the generated patient invoice  75  to a second application  26 ′  28 ′,  30 ′,  32 ′,  33 ′ on a server network device  20  with one or more processors via the cloud communications network  24 . 
     At Step  322 , the second application  26 ′,  28 ′,  30 ′,  32 ′,  33 ′ on the server network device  20  securely displays on a display component via a graphical user interface (GUI) selected ones of the plural data fields from the generated electronic patient medical record  252 , including complexity risk information  247  for the patient encounter and the generated patient invoice  75  wherein the generated electronic medical record  252  provides a three hundred sixty degree view  77 ,  99  of medical, billing, insurance and other information collected and generated from the patient encounter. 
     In one embodiment, the one or more electronic medical templates include a medical practice template, electronic invoice template, electronic medical record template, a current compliant template, a diagnosis template, a nurse template, a review template, and/or an insurance provider template. However, the present invention is not limited to the electronic medical templates described and more, fewer or other electronic medical templates can be used to practice the invention. 
     In one embodiment, the plural medical practice templates used with Method  298  include an electronic medical template for pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, cardiology, neurology, family practice medicine, emergency room medicine, walk-in clinics and/or or urgent care clinics. However, the present invention is not limited to the medical practice templates described and more, fewer or other electronic medical practice templates can be used to practice the invention. 
     In one embodiment, one or more of the medical practice templates include, but are not limited to the following additional features and/or data entry fields in addition to those describe herein above and illustrated in the figures: (1) Menopause Documentation: to enter a date of a last menses; (2) Pregnancy Electronic Due Date Calculator (EDC): After entering the last menses in the menopause documentation field, the Pregnancy EDC calculator automatically calculates the Due Date along with the number of weeks into the pregnancy; (3) Clinical decision support bar: that includes a first color (e.g., green, yellow, etc.) that changes into a second color (e.g., red, black, etc.) when any vital signs (e.g., blood pressure, temperature, etc.) are out of normal ranges; (4) Clinical decision support alert and action plan: (e.g., Body Mass Index out of range launching the user into plans to order specific interventions for the patient); (5) Pharyngitis Alert: This alert is set off when a diagnosis of Pharyngitis is recorded for a patient, but a Strep Screen has not been ordered for the patient; (6) History Not Completed: In the event the patient is experiencing a medical emergency, this documentation field is located on both the PFSH and ROS screens  124 , and checking the box will provide automatic E/M coding for exam elements; (7) New Condition, Workup Planned: if this field is selected, the provider is given a pop up that allows documentation of a Differential Diagnosis; (8) Provider to Provider Notes section: Enables provider to record written communication note to another provider for subsequent visits; (9) Preformatted Discharge Notes: The provider can select user-specific preformatted discharge notes for the patient; (10) Visit Summary: Allows the provider to select the number of prior visits that the provider desires to view within the visit history tab by selecting the number of visits in the “Show Last  ——————  visit summaries;” (11) Summary Notes: will show the disposition and the medications dispensed on the visits including a viewing link for any radiographic images obtained, that will then open the patient chart and allow documentation of the diagnostic images; (12) Third Party Primary Historian: If a user selects someone other than the patient as the “Primary Historian”, a practice may disable coding credit towards “Data Reviewed” in complexity of medical decision making. This option can be disabled at the practice level; (13) Electronic Signature Collection: Allows the clinic staff to check that a patient has been given the discharge documents to the patient/guardian, and for the patient/guardian to sign they have received them. Allows audits that the documents were given and the signature was received; (14) Document Multiple Protocols: Clinics that need to document a patient visit using the pre-set protocols that they have set up for an employer paid service, can pull in up to four protocols and can document each of them in one charting session. As each protocol has been completed, with orders being entered, the protocol header tab turns green. As soon as all the protocols have been completed, the Header “Protocol” tab turns from Red to Green; (15) Integration with Laboratory Services: Users are able to order labs electronically and receive the results electronically via LabCorp and Quest Services; (16) Virtual Phone Encounters This feature allows Users to log an encounter where a patient is not physically in the clinic but receives a service via telephone or Internet. The Provider will be able to use ePrescribe functionality in a virtual encounter. A User can enter notes for a Virtual Encounter. Once the patient is registered, the user will see the patient&#39;s name listed on the Virtual Encounter row of a “Tracking Board”, and the User will have the ability to enter in the notes of what transpired during the telephone encounter; (17) X-ray Interface: supports sending patient information and x-ray orders to Radlink. A link is displayed that reads “View Image” which will launch an x-ray viewer; (18) Date of Birth Notification: A patient that visits a clinic who has either had a birthday the day prior to a visit, or if the patient has a birthday within two weeks of a visit, will have a notification screen appear to notify the user of the date of birth so the health care provider can wish the patient a Happy Birthday; (19) Clinical Quality Measures (CQM) and National Framework of Qualifications (NQF) Reports: For each of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid meaningful use objectives with a percentage-based measure are used. Users have the ability to report the numerators and denominators of each meaningful use measure and automatically calculate the resultant percentage-based meaningful use measures for which CMS requires an eligible professional to submit at the end of an Electronic Health Records (HER) reporting period; (20) Plots of Vitals Charts: When the patient&#39;s vitals have been entered the user will see that the current days vitals are immediately displayed. The vitals can then be graphed in several formats including line, bar, pie chart and/or other types of graphing; (21) Medication Reconciliation: All medications entered by the clinic staff, as well as the E-Rx prescribed medications in the patient history are displayed to check for harmful interactions; (22) Public Health Surveillance Queries and Peports: In compliance with Certified Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT), users can electronically record, modify, retrieve, and submit syndrome-based public health surveillance information in accordance with the standard (and applicable implementation specifications) specified in CCHIT guidelines; (23) Matrix calculation and coding results reports: for a one-screen view of matrix scoring details, including E/M, diagnosis codes, procedures codes, etc.; and/or (24) Multi-Colored Patient, Billing and Insurance Alerts: A pop-up alert icon appears when a patient alert and/or a note have been entered. The types of alerts are color coordinated: (a) Yellow—patient related notes, (b) Red—patient related alert type notes, (c) Green—billing related notes, (d) Aqua—unknown alert, and (e) Dark Blue—clinical notes. However, the present invention is not limited to the medical practice template features and/or data entry fields described and more, fewer or other electronic medical practice template features and/or data entry fields can be used to practice the invention. 
       FIG. 29  is a block diagram  324  illustrating additional components of the medical records system of  FIG. 1 . A secure electronic kiosk  326  is provided to allow a patient to enter patient appointment and registration information and preliminary patient encounter information. A secure patient encounter application  328  is provided to a client network device  330  to allow a patient to enter patient appointment and registration information and preliminary patient encounter information via a network device  18  such as a smart phone, tablet, etc. A secure employer portal  332  is provided to view services billed to an employer for employer provided health insurance or for the workman&#39;s compensation visits by a patient. 
       FIG. 30  is a flow diagram illustrating a Method  334  for automated processing of electronic medical records with cloud computing. At Step  336 , secure electronic kiosk with one or more processors is provided in communications with a second application on a server network device with one or more processors via the cloud communications network. At Step  338 , patient appointment and registration information and preliminary patient encounter information is securely received on the electronic kiosk from a patient. At Step  340 , the received patient appointment and registration information and preliminary patient encounter information is securely sent from the electronic kiosk via the cloud communications network to the second application on the server network device, thereby allowing the patient to enter patient appointment and registration information and preliminary patient encounter information via the electronic kiosk and making the patient appointment and registration and preliminary patient encounter information available to the first application on the first network device before an actual patient encounter occurs. 
     Method  334  is illustrated with one exemplary embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and other embodiments can be used to practice the invention. 
     In such an exemplary embodiment at Step  336 , a secure electronic kiosk  326  with one or more processors is provided in communications with a second application  26 ′,  28 ′  30 ′,  32 ′,  33 ′ on a server network device  20  with one or more processors via the cloud communications network  24 . 
     At Step  338 , patient appointment and registration information and preliminary patient encounter information is securely received on the electronic kiosk  326  from a patient. 
     At Step  340 , the received patient appointment and registration information and preliminary patient encounter information is securely sent from the electronic kiosk  326  via the cloud communications network  24  to the second application  26 ′,  28 ′  30 ′,  32 ′,  33 ′ on the server network device  20 , thereby allowing the patient to enter patient appointment and registration information and preliminary patient encounter information via the electronic kiosk  326  and making the patient appointment and registration and preliminary patient encounter information available to the first application  26 ,  28   30 ,  32 ,  33  on the first network device before  18  an actual patient encounter occurs. 
       FIG. 31  is a flow diagram illustrating a Method  342  for automated processing of electronic medical records with cloud computing. At Step  344 , a secure patient encounter application is provided to a client network device with one or more processors from a second application on a server network device with one or more processors via the cloud communications network. At Step  346 , patient appointment and registration and preliminary patient encounter information is securely received on the second application on the server network device via the cloud communications network from the secure patient encounter application on the client network device for a patient, thereby allowing the patient to enter patient appointment and registration and preliminary patient encounter information via the secure patient encounter application on the client network device and making the patient appointment and registration and preliminary patient encounter information available to the first application on the first network device before an actual patient encounter occurs. At Step  348 , one or more types of automated messages are sent to the secure patient encounter application on the client network device confirming successful receiving of patient appointment and registration and preliminary patient encounter information on the second application on the server network device. 
     Method  342  is illustrated with one exemplary embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and other embodiments can be used to practice the invention. 
     In such an exemplary embodiment at Step  344 , a secure patient encounter application  328  is provided to a client network device  330  (also,  18 , etc.) with one or more processors from a second application  26 ′,  28 ′,  30 ′,  32 ′,  33 ′ on a server network device  20  with one or more processors via the cloud communications network  24 . 
     At Step  346 , patient appointment and registration and preliminary patient encounter information is securely received on the second application  26 ′,  28 ′,  30 ′,  32 ′,  33 ′ on the server network device  20  via the cloud communications network  24  from the secure patient encounter application  238  on the client network device  330  for a patient, thereby allowing the patient to enter patient appointment and registration and preliminary patient encounter information via the secure patient encounter application  238  on the client network device  330  and making the patient appointment and registration and preliminary patient encounter information available to the first application  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ′,  33 ′ on the first network device  18  before an actual patient encounter occurs. Thus, any patient can enter patient appointment and registration and preliminary patient encounter information from any location anywhere on the cloud communications network  24 . 
     At Step  348 , one or more types of automated messages are sent to the secure patient encounter application  328  on the client network device  330  confirming successful receiving of patient appointment and registration and preliminary patient encounter information on the second application  26 ′,  28 ′,  30 ′,  32 ′,  33 ′ on the server network device  20 . The automated messages include automated text messages, instant messages, voice messages, e-mail messages, audio messages, video messages, and/or other types of messages. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment and more, fewer or other types of messages can be used to practice the invention. 
       FIG. 32  is a flow diagram illustrating a Method  350  for automated processing of electronic medical records with cloud computing. At Step  352 , a secure employer portal is provided for selected patient encounter information via a second application on a server network device with one or more processors via the cloud communications network. At Step  354 , protocol procedures are received via the employer portal to set up a selected medical visit protocol based on employer preferences for patient encounters for patients who are employed by the employer. At Step  356 , insurance procedures are received via the employer portal procedures to set up one or more insurance carriers related to the employer whereby the one or more insurance carriers will automatically be inserted under a payer of the patient that whose patient encounter is workman&#39;s compensation visit. At Step  358 , a view request is received via the employer portal from the employer of the patient who generated the patient encounter a request to securely view the generated electronic patient medical record and the generated patient invoice generated from patient encounters to view services billed to the employer for employer provided health insurance or for the workman&#39;s compensation visits. 
     Method  350  is illustrated with one exemplary embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and other embodiments can be used to practice the invention. 
     In such an exemplary embodiment at Step  352  a secure employer portal  332  is provided for selected patient encounter information via a second application  26 ′,  28 ′,  30 ′,  32 ′,  33 ′ on a server network device  20  with one or more processors via the cloud communications network  24 . 
     At Step  354 , protocol procedures are received via the employer portal  332  to set up a selected medical visit protocol based on employer preferences for patient encounters for patients who are employed by the employer. 
     At Step  356 , insurance procedures are received via the employer portal  332  procedures to set up one or more insurance carriers related to the employer whereby the one or more insurance carriers will automatically be inserted under a payer of the patient that whose patient encounter is workman&#39;s compensation visit. 
     At Step  358 , a view request is received via the employer portal  332  from the employer of the patient who generated the patient encounter a request to securely view the generated electronic patient medical record  252  and the generated patient invoice  75  generated from patient encounters to view services billed to the employer for employer provided health insurance or for the workman&#39;s compensation visits. 
     The methods and system described herein help automate and reduce the risk and complexity of collecting patient encounter information electronically on client network devices and allow easy collection, processing and recording of medical information codes such as diagnosis codes, billing codes, insurance codes, etc. with cloud computing. However, the present invention is not limited to cloud computing environments and the invention can also be practiced in a non-cloud computing environment. For example, the cloud storage objects can be replaced with non-transitory computer readable mediums, etc. 
     In view of the wide variety of embodiments to which the principles of the present invention can be applied, it should be understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary only, and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the present invention. For example, the steps of the flow diagrams may be taken in sequences other than those described, and more fewer or equivalent elements may be used in the block diagrams. 
     The claims should not be read as limited to the described order or elements unless stated to that effect. In addition, use of the term “means” in any claim is intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6, and any claim without the word “means” is not so intended. 
     Therefore, all embodiments that come within the scope and spirit of the following claims and equivalents thereto are claimed as the invention.