Abstract:
A method of providing changes in healthcare policy information is provided, including: maintaining a first database, the first database containing records including copies of websites, the websites pertaining to policy information; a first server scanning current versions of the websites on the Internet and identifying which of the websites have been changed to a second server; and updating the records in the first database; a second server generating a report of the changes made to each of the identified websites; and the second server providing access to a user to generate reports relating to the websites.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to detecting and organizing changes in policies, and more specifically to healthcare policies. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    A medical manufacturing company that provides pharmaceuticals or medical devices will naturally be interested in which insurance companies provide coverage for its products, as the more insurance companies that provide coverage for the product, the larger the potential customer base is. Healthcare professionals, such as medical manufacturing companies, currently rely on a cumbersome manual system of determining if healthcare insurance policies have been updated or changed. However, most healthcare professionals find out about changes to an insurer&#39;s coverage policies passively through newsletters and the like, or anecdotally through others in the industry, long after the change has occurred. 
         [0003]    The predominant method of keeping track of insurer healthcare updates is to subscribe to newsletters and manually visit websites to see if a change has occurred. This is not an adequate solution due to the time required to visit the voluminous number of websites that carry relevant information and the human error that can miss a change (assuming such a change occurred on the website accessed). Subscribing to newsletters is also inadequate because health insurers do not always update their newsletters comprehensively, nor release them on a regular schedule; and newsletters are frequently released long after a change has actually occurred. It is thus important for stakeholders to find out about a change in policy as quickly as possible after it occurs. 
         [0004]    Generic software crawling technology is available, but is not targeted specifically towards the healthcare industry and the needs of medical device manufacturers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, diagnostic companies, dental device manufacturers, professional healthcare associations and insurance companies; and offers no organization once a change is detected. 
         [0005]    A proposed solution exists that offers a query based database that contains names of health plans of tiers of pharmaceuticals, but fails to offer a database of update notifications and does not include information on medical devices; only pharmaceuticals. 
         [0006]    Another proposed solution offers an alert service for healthcare policy websites, but does not provide an analytical database that can customize, target and sort information within a policy or policy change, including information such as prior authorization requirements and current procedural terminology coding, and fails to provide a corresponding analytical tool. 
         [0007]    Other services provide a similar function but lack a targeted organized database of information that can be accessed via multiple searches and targeted data queries and are unable to produce customized reports that are updated along with the changes produced by a computer system. 
         [0008]    Another proposed solution is found in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0112873 disclosing a system and method for electronically monitoring, alerting and evaluating changes in a health care payor policy. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The system according to the invention scans a large volume of information available in a database of downloaded websites and documents, which are available through the Internet, to detect targeted changes related to healthcare insurance policies, using criteria selectable by a user. The information is then condensed to a format that is easily ported into a second database that houses and organizes the new information. The second database is accessible by the user and drop down menus are available to allow the user to generate a report displaying selected elements of healthcare policies in rows, with the name of the insurer in the column headings. The system according to the invention can use multiple servers to scan websites to collect and process large volumes of information. 
         [0010]    The system can allow stacking of servers, so all servers contribute to the singular data output produced by the main server. Each server can act independently of the others so disruption to a single server does not affect any processes or jobs of other servers. 
         [0011]    The system and method according to the invention solves the problem of scanning a huge web domain of information that could not be done completely in a manual fashion, multiple times a day. With the system, any changes to healthcare policies are detected no less than 24 hours after being posted on the web. A user interface that sorts the information allows ease of use and readability. By porting the information into a second database where it is organized and queried with a user-driven analytical tool, users gain additional insight into each policy and can compare consistent features of each policy across multiple insurance payers. This automated database provides the payer names as the columns, under which are healthcare policy specific data components (such as therapy coverage, prior authorization, previous and next review dates, coding). 
         [0012]    Multiple computer servers can be used to detect changes in a database of policies relevant to each user and to continually scan the websites in which the policies are located to download the policies into the database and capture the changes, which undergo further processing before the information is presented to the user. 
         [0013]    The system allows users to receive change updates to their policies of interest, without having to continually and manually log into each insurer&#39;s website and determine if there is a change. The system has the ability to capture insurance policy information from insurers and health technology assessments in the US, Europe, Latin America, Canada and other countries around the world. 
         [0014]    The system is designed to specifically target predefined medical therapies in a designated database of websites for easy software based manipulation of change data. 
         [0015]    The system creates value for the user as the user can pick out changes to a volume of documentation that is impossible to scan efficiently through human effort alone. The system also removes the element of human error when determining if a document has changed. The user enjoys the benefit of having change information delivered to them much quicker than passively waiting for inconsistent and unreliable newsletter announcements from insurers (every insurer has disparate procedures in releasing newsletters, and many do not release them at all). Additional value is offered in a second database that houses much of the change information in a format that allows querying of specific data within policies, allowing the user to produce a report comparing this data across multiple insurers of their choosing. 
         [0016]    The system can alert the user to changes in documentation automatically via email, Short Message Service (SMS) or mobile application push notifications, thereby allowing the user to keep apprised of changes daily. 
         [0017]    A method of providing changes in healthcare policy information is provided, including: providing a first database, the first database containing a plurality of records, each record containing a copy of a website, the website pertaining to healthcare policy information; scanning current versions of the websites on the Internet and determining which of the websites have changed by comparing the current version of the website on the Internet to the copy in the first database; then identifying the website to a first server; and updating the copy of the website in the first database; and providing access to reports generated to reflect changes in the website. 
         [0018]    The first server may determine the changes made to each of the websites identified by a second server that scans the current versions of the websites. Records including the changes made to each of the websites identified by the second server may be stored in a second database. A first user interface may allow a user to search the first database. The second database may be searchable by the user through a second user interface. 
         [0019]    A field of each record in the first database may include at least one of the fields selected from the following: procedure name, medical device name, diagnostic test name, guideline name, vaccine name, drug name; name of insurer; and health plan name. A field of each record in the second database may include at least one of the fields selected from the following: procedure name, medical device name, diagnostic test name, guideline name, vaccine name, website name; insurer name; and coverage criteria. 
         [0020]    A system for managing healthcare policy information is provided, including: a first database, the first database containing records including copies of websites, the websites pertaining to policy information; a first server configured to scan current versions of the websites on the Internet and identifying which of the current websites have been changed since a previous scan of the website to a second server; and updating the records in the first database; and a second server configured to generate a report of the changes made to each of the identified websites; the second server also configured to provide access to a user to generate reports relating to the websites. 
         [0021]    The second server may be configured to determine the changes made to the websites identified by the first server and to generate an alert for a user on a change to a preselected website, the alert including information about the change to the preselected website. The system may include a mobile device application connected to the first database and the second database thereby allowing users to access and interact with healthcare policy data stored on the first and second databases. 
         [0022]    A system for viewing healthcare policy information is provided, including: a database containing a plurality of websites, the websites corresponding to copies of websites pertaining to healthcare insurance coverage policies; a second database of user selectable data fields containing elements of websites stored in the first database; a user interface whereby a user can view and download healthcare insurance coverage information related to the healthcare insurance coverage policies, the policies sortable by procedure name, medical device name, diagnostic test name, guideline name, vaccine name, website name; insurer name; and coverage criteria; a server in communication with the first and second databases, the server configured to generate data output from criteria selectable by the user through interactive menus; and means for exporting the data output into a selected data formats. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing an overview of an embodiment of a system according to the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing the databases and servers in an embodiment of a system according to the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart showing the steps taken in an embodiment of a method according to the invention. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  show an embodiment of a user interface whereby a user can determine if changes have been made to a policy. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  show an embodiment of a user interface whereby a user can select data for display. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of a map displayable to users 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , system  10  includes first and second servers  20  and  30 , and first and second databases  40  and  50 . First server  20  is in communication with a plurality of healthcare policy websites  100  through a network, such as the Internet  300 . First server  20  uses software to scan specified websites having such healthcare policies, and communicates with first database  40  to determine if changes have occurred. Users  60  communicate with second database  50  through a network, such as the Internet  300 , to access first database  40  and second database  50 . 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , database  40  contains records  55  of the text of each healthcare policy website  100  being tracked (websites  100  are selectable by user  60  to allow user  60  to determine which have changed). Records  55  may first be collected by server  20  and then copied and input into database  40  via the computer system  200  administrator backend. As shown in  FIG. 3 , in use of the system, specific attributes and serial ID fields are assigned to records  55  for each healthcare policy website  100  for future sorting and searching (step  300 ); some of these fields may include Title of Website, Disease State, Treatment Method, Drug Name, Formulary Name, Prior Authorization Form Name, Guideline Name, Immunization Schedule Name, Health Plan Name, and Name of Insurer. An administrator may specify features of each website  100  to increase readability of the underlying code to be scanned by the software script (e.g. designate the website as an .html or .pdf file). 
         [0031]    First server  20  then uses software to scan each website  100  identified in database  40  of websites  100  on a predetermined schedule (for example once or more per day depending on capacity) to determine if any changes to the text, code or document file size of the website has occurred by comparing the text at website  100  accessible on the Internet and being scanned to the most recent version of the text at the website stored in database  40  (step  310 ) in the appropriate record  55 . Websites  100  with text that is identified as having been changed are recorded by serial ID and that information (i.e. that a change has occurred) is automatically transmitted to second server  30  (step  320 ). Websites  100  with text that has not changed are passed over and remain on the schedule to be reviewed again the next day, or the next timeslot if the scan occurs more than once a day. 
         [0032]    Second server  30  receives the serial ID information of websites  100  that have changed and then downloads only those websites  100  to determine the exact nature of the change (step  330 ). Second server  30  downloads data and documents from healthcare policy websites in multiple formats including but not limited to HTML, XML, .PHP, .PDF, .DOC, JavaScript, AJAX, and .ASP, and records the data and text in the database. Second server  30  then runs a server-side script to compare the existing data in the database with the newly downloaded data and generates a report to the administrator backend indicating the text that was added or removed from the document or file at the website  100 , by serial ID (step  340 ). The differences in the text from the previous text stored in record  55  is referred to as change data. 
         [0033]    The system scans and detects websites by URL, groups all websites that look identical, and labels them as “root” for the original website and “children” for all subsequent websites identical to the root. For all future scans, the system may scan only the root website, and attribute the result data to all the children websites to decrease server load. The system, through a script, automatically runs metrics on the quantity of changes attributed to a particular payer based on changes in the text from website  100 , and then can display the information on a color coded graphical map, as shown in  FIG. 6 , which shows the concentration of changes of payer policies between various geographic regions. 
         [0034]    The change data  70  is automatically saved and logged into second database  50 , and becomes searchable by a user based on a number of fields, including the date the change occurred, and the attributes and fields originally designated to the specific document and/or website  100  input into first database  40 . This information is searchable via a user interface accessible, as shown in  FIG. 4   a , by user  60  who can search change information by the specific attributes, as well as the data within the site in which the change occurred. The result of a query by the user  60  is shown in  FIG. 4   b . In the example shown a change to Gardisil policy has occurred and CPTs  90649  and  90650  are no longer covered, which is conveyed to the user in a pop up box displayed when the user clicks on, touches, scrolls over or otherwise indicates the change summary area. 
         [0035]    The text that is added in the new version of the website  100  is stored in a text file in one column, separated by line. The text that is removed in the previous version of website  100  stored in database  40  is stored in the same text file in a separate column, separated by line. Changes to text in a policy can be displayed to user  60  this way, or in a variety of other ways. In another embodiment, new text may be indicated with underlining and removed text shown as struck though. 
         [0036]    The user may be notified through an automated system operated by one or both of first server  20  and second server  30  about changes to preselected websites. The system can send specific policy information contained in the databases via email, Short Message Service (SMS) or mobile application push notification to the user. The change data, the insurer name and additional data elements may be contained within the message to user  60  and/or a link to the information can be included. Users may subscribe, via an administrative interface, to specific types and sub-types of messages and reports they would like to receive. 
         [0037]    The newly updated website  100  is then analyzed and certain components of it may be summarized and ported to and saved at a second database  50 , to be available for use as an analysis tool for the end user (step  350 ). Most insurer health policy websites  100  include common components for fields such as: Insurer Name; Website Name; Coverage Criteria; Prior Authorization; Previous and Next Review Dates; Coding; Background; Copay; Drug Tier Status; Preferred Pharmacy; Preferred Clinic; Preferred Physician Network; Health Plan; Coverage age range of patient; “Try and Fail” drug criteria; Conservative therapy criteria; clinical study lists; covered lives; and References. These fields may be autopopulated (for example using keywords), summarized, and input into corresponding fields of the administrative interface of the second database  50 . 
         [0038]    The user  60  can search database  50  by one or any of the aforementioned fields and select the insurer with which he or she wants to compare data, as shown in  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b . For example, user  60 , using the interface shown in  FIG. 5   a , may wish to compare coverage criteria and coding (or any combination of the inputted fields) for a number of insurers of their choosing (selectable from a dropdown menu). A report  80 , an embodiment of which is shown in  FIG. 5   b , is then generated displaying the data, with the insurer names as column headings, and the selected fields as rows. Both headings and rows are sortable alphabetically and numerically. This table is then exportable into multiple file formats (.txt, .csv, .xlsx., .xls, .doc., .docx) for download by user  60 . 
         [0039]    A mobile application, accessible and executable on a mobile device, connects to both databases and allows the user to access a separate mobile user interface. The mobile user interface allows the user to access the change data, search the website and document database and generate reports with optimized display, formatting and data output for various mobile devices, such as smart phones and tablets. 
         [0040]    The embodiments and techniques described above may be implemented as a system or plurality of systems working in conjunction, or in software as various interconnected functional blocks or distinct software modules. This is not necessary, however, and there may be cases where these functional blocks or modules are equivalently aggregated into a single logic device, program or operation with unclear boundaries. In any event, the functional blocks and software modules implementing the embodiments described above, or features of the interface can be implemented by themselves, or in combination with other operations in either hardware or software, either within a device entirely, or in conjunction with the device and other processer enabled devices in communication with the device, such as one or more additional servers. 
         [0041]    Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to these embodiments without changing or departing from their scope, intent or functionality. The terms and expressions used in the preceding specification have been used herein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the invention is defined and limited only by the claims that follow.