Abstract:
A kiosk that allows a user to navigate through a Medicaid process via a touch screen monitor facilitated by an onscreen navigator employing ladder logic. The kiosk has a housing to which a bracket that holds the monitor and a keyboard is attached, the bracket capable of sliding up and down and tilting back and forth. A user initially identifies herself to the system via a card reader and confirms identity via a biometric reader. Once within the system, the user navigates via the monitor through the assistance of an onscreen navigator that is set up using ladder logic. At any point during the process, a counselor may be called via a telephone attached to the housing. Once all data is collected for a user, the internal processor transmits the data to a central server.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a kiosk that is field installed and is capable of allowing a person to interact with a program, such as the Medicaid program, or communicate directly with a counselor for the program, so that the person may enroll, change health plans, review benefits, etc., within the program from a remote location. 
     2. Background of the Prior Art 
     Currently, when a person is determined to be eligible for Medicaid, that person must complete appropriate enrollment paperwork in order to begin receiving benefits. This requires that the beneficiary make either telephonic contact or face-to-face communicate with an enrollment counselor, wherein the counselor gathers various items of information from the beneficiary, presents various options, such as various managed care organizations for which the beneficiary is eligible, to select from to the beneficiary, and the counselor completes the necessary actions to complete the enrollment process for the beneficiary. If the beneficiary decides to change his or her health care plan, either before the lock-in period or during an open enrollment period, appropriate action is completed by the counselor to enroll the beneficiary. 
     Typically, the enrollment broker is paid a flat rate per completed enrollment. 
     This method of enrolling and managing beneficiaries suffers from numerous inefficiencies. As each beneficiary must have a one on one session with a counselor, relatively high staffing levels must be maintained by the entity providing the counselors, whether the entity be a government organization or a third party vendor. Having an appropriate staffing level is extremely expensive, especially in light of the amount of training each counselor must receive and the additional training each counselor receives as updates to the programs are made. As counselors are paid on a flat rate basis, there exists a tendency for counselors to rush through each application in order to maximize cash flow, this being especially true when the counselors are employed by a third party for profit provider. Rushing a beneficiary through the enrollment process tends to leave beneficiaries making less than fully informed choices regarding his or her care plan. Additionally, as the counselors are only human, mistakes tend to happen during application completion. Such mistakes occur for a variety of reasons including simple entry mistakes, such as transposing a number entered, miscommunication between counselor and beneficiary—this is especially problematic when the beneficiary speaks little or no English. Such mistakes delay the already slow process of enrollment of the beneficiary, increase the overall costs to the program, and increase the frustration level for the beneficiary. 
     Use of computers by the counselors for some or all aspects of the application completion process may relieve some of the above noted problems, yet fails to reduce some of the major drawbacks associated with the enrollment process. 
     What is needed is an integrated system that relies on technological advances that addresses the above noted shortcomings found in the present method. Specifically such a system must reduce the need for the high cost of maintaining high counselor staffing levels. Such a system must help reduce the mistakes made in applications while increasing the speed with which applications are processed. Such a system must eliminate the tendency to rush a beneficiary through the enrollment process, in order to allow the beneficiary to make informed decisions during the enrollment process. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The variable height interactive kiosk of the present invention addresses the aforementioned needs in the art by providing a system that relies on technology for a substantial portion of the overall enrollment process. The variable height interactive kiosk relies on computers for the majority of the application process thereby reducing the need for the high cost of maintaining high counselor staffing levels. The variable height interactive kiosk, by using software validation checks, helps reduce the mistakes made during the application process, thereby reducing potential delays in the enrollment process. The variable height interactive kiosk communicates electronically with the agency responsible for the enrollment which greatly increases the speed with which applications are processed and virtually eliminates the potential for physical loss of the application. The variable height interactive kiosk, by being computer based, eliminates the tendency for the system to rush a beneficiary through the enrollment process, allowing the beneficiary to make informed decisions during the enrollment process. The computer based nature of the system also assures that uniform outputs are given for a given set of inputs, for example, the variable height interactive kiosk always gives the full and accurate list of doctors enrolled in a specific managed care organization. 
     The variable height interactive kiosk of the present invention is comprised of a housing that has a top, a bottom, and at least a front face. A bracket is attached to the housing and is capable of sliding along the front face between the top and the bottom and capable of the front face and the bracket is capable tilting away from and toward the front face. A touch screen monitor and a keyboard are each held within the bracket. A magnetic card swiper is located on the bracket as is a biometric reading device. A processor is located within the housing in communication with the monitor and the keyboard. A software system, comprising a ladder logic interactive video presentation, is resident on the processor, which software system allows navigation through a Medicaid enrollment process (initial enrollment, change of benefits, review of benefits, renew of benefits) by the collection of a data set, such that upon completion of the navigation through the Medicaid entry process, the data set is transferred by the processor to a secure remote site. The sliding of the bracket between the top and the bottom is mechanically assisted by a motor coupled to the bracket. The processor may communicate with the remote site via an air card. The software system uses an onscreen navigator to facilitate the navigation which onscreen navigator employs ladder logic. A telephone is attached to the housing while a camera is located on the bracket. The system may be powered by an appropriate connection with a source of AC electric power via an appropriate wall plug, or the system may be self-sufficient by being run by solar power panel that also trickle down charges a battery. This allows the beneficiary to receive 24 hour counseling and enrollment information, 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the variable height interactive kiosk of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an elevation view of the variable height interactive kiosk illustrating the internal components. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the variable height interactive kiosk in use by a beneficiary. 
     
    
    
     Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, it is seen that the variable height interactive kiosk of the present invention, generally denoted by reference numeral  10 , is comprised of a housing  12  made from an appropriate lightweight material, the housing  12  having a front face  14 , a pair of side faces  16 , a top  18 , and a bottom  20  as well as a rear face (not illustrated nor separately numbered). A series of parallel guide slots  22  are located on the front face  14  of the housing  12 . A touch screen monitor  24  and a keyboard  26 , the two of which may be a single integral unit, or two separate components, are held within a bracket  28 , the bracket  28  being able of pivoting toward and away from the front face  14  of the housing  12 . The bracket  28  also has a series of pegs (not shown) such that each peg passes through a respective one of the guide slots  22  so that the bracket  28  is capable of sliding between the top  18  and the bottom  20  of the housing  12  guided by the guide slots  22 , the pegs being held within the guide slots  22  on the inner side of the front face  14  in an appropriate way so as to prevent the pegs from popping out of their respective guide slots  22  and thus preventing the bracket  28  from detaching from the housing  12 . As seen, located within the housing  12  is a drive motor  30  having a drive pulley  32 , located on the bottom  20  and a driven pulley  34  located on the top  18  directly above the bottom  20  (these two components  30  and  34  can be reversed, but in order to keep the center of gravity of the device  10  as low as possible, the heavier component, the drive motor  30 , is preferably located on the bottom  20 ). A drive belt  36  or other appropriate linkage passes over the drive pulley  32  as well as the driven pulley  34 . One of the pegs attached to the bracket  28  is also attached to the drive belt  36 . The drive motor  30  is designed so that it only becomes operational whenever an external rotating force is introduced onto the drive pulley  32  and the motor  30  deactivates when such external force is removed. Accordingly, whenever the height of the bracket  28  is to be changed, the bracket  28  is pushed either up or down which up or down motion transfers to the pegs such that the peg that is connected to the drive belt  36 , transfers the up or down force to the drive belt  36  with the drive belt  36  transferring the force to the drive pulley  32 , which causes the drive motor  30  to become operational. When up or down movement of the bracket  28  terminates, the up or down force on the pegs terminates, so that the up or down force is no longer being transferred from the peg to the drive belt  36 , nor from the drive belt  36  to the drive pulley  32 , so that the motor  30  terminates operation. In this manner, the drive motor  30  mechanically assists a person raising or lowering the bracket  28 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 2 , also located within the housing is a processor  38  which may be any general purpose type of computer and which is in signal communication with the monitor  24  and the keyboard  26  such as by way of the illustrated data cable  40 . The processor  38  has an appropriate sound and video card  42  (may be two separate components as opposed to the illustrated single combined component) and also has an air card  44  of any appropriate design in order to allow the processor  38  to be able to communicate with networks, including the Internet, without the need for a fixed cable to be attached to the processor  38 . One or more speakers  45  are also located within the housing  12 . 
     Attached to one of the external surfaces of the housing  12  is a telephone handset  46 . The telephone connection to the telephone handset  46  may be provided by plugging into a typical active telephone jack (not illustrated). However, in order to make the variable height interactive kiosk  10  more versatile and self-sufficient, the telephone connection is either via a cellular system (not illustrated) located within the housing  12  or via the air card  44  via any appropriate method such as Voice Over Internet Protocol. 
     Located on the bracket  28  is a card reader  48  of appropriate design as well as a biometric scanner  50 , each in signal communication with the processor  38 . A camera  52  is also located on the top of the bracket  28  and is also in signal communication with the processor  38 . 
     The processor  38  is loaded with appropriate desired software. The processor  38  may initially come preloaded with the software, or the software may be transmitted to the processor  38  by an appropriate central server, the processor  38  receiving the software via the air card  44 . The software is appropriate software that allows pre-approved Medicaid beneficiaries (approved either by the appropriate state agency for that state and/or by the Social Security Administration) to enroll within a Managed Care Organization (MCO), change MCOs during appropriate periods such as open enrollment or before the expiration of a lock-in period, review benefits and participating providers within each MCO, review each MCO in which a particular provider participates. The software also allows a user B to check their enhanced benefits account and to check on changes to their selected health care plan (MCO). The software also allows the user to also apply for Social Security Disability benefits. The software guides the user B through the process, be it enrollment, change, review, etc., via an on-screen facilitator that relies on ladder logic to guide the user B throughout the process. The onscreen facilitator is capable of matching the user&#39;s language (without using simultaneous translation), gender, and race as appropriate. The user B can use the telephone handset  46  in order to call a live counselor should the user B get stuck at any point with the counselor having the ability to either verbally guide the user B through the process or remotely take control of the system with the user B present. 
     The housing  12  is placed at a desired location, which may be a hospital, including the emergency room in order to allow a user B to quickly check in, a provider&#39;s office, a pharmacy, a state office building, or even a large retailer&#39;s location that tends to be frequented by a large portion of Medicaid beneficiaries. At the desired location, the housing  12  is placed into a specific location either directly onto the ground or, as seen in  FIG. 3 , onto a pedestal  54  in order to allow the housing  12  to be of proper height, and the kiosk  10  is plugged into an appropriate source of AC electrical power. Alternately, and advantageously, a battery and solar panel combination are held by the housing  12  so that the solar panel provides electricity to the kiosk  10 , either directly or through the battery, with the solar panel also charging the battery. As the kiosk  10  is designed to be placed into a relatively well lit area, appropriate lighting to drive the solar panel is always present. Once the kiosk  10  is powered up, any software, including software updates are transmitted to the processor  38  via the air card  44 . Thereafter, the kiosk  10  is operational. A user B approaches the kiosk  10  and moves the bracket  28  either up or down so as to have the monitor  24  and keyboard  26  at a comfortable height. The bracket  28  is tilted for maximum comfort, this being especially important to a wheelchair bound user. The user B activates the software system by swiping an appropriate beneficiary card  56 , currently the Medicaid Gold Card or similar card through the magnetic card reader  48 . The user B confirms her identity by passing her finger over the biometric reader  50 . If the user B has not previously provided biometric data, the system collects the biometric data initially during the sign in process and associates the collected biometric data with the user&#39;s account for subsequent use of the system by the user B. Once the user&#39;s identity is confirmed, the user B is capable of using the software system. If the user B lacks her beneficiary card  56 , she may input her beneficiary information into the system manually via the keyboard  26 . Of course when the system is idle, an introductory screen is present on the monitor  24  advising a potential user of how to begin using the kiosk  10 , and may include a language selection button, and may also advise to use the telephone handset  46  if completely confused. Once a user B gains access to the system, the user B navigates through the desired component or components of the system by making selections via the touch screen monitor  24 . The user B is guided through the system via an onscreen facilitator that acts as the user&#39;s Medicaid counselor. Verbal instructions may also be given to the user B via the speakers  46 . Should the user B become stuck or confused at any point, the user B picks up the telephone handset  46  and is connected, both via audio and video, to a live counselor, the processor  38  helping route the call to a counselor that is capable of speaking the same language (if other than English) as the user B, if such a counselor is available. The camera  52  allows the counselor to be able to see the user B, and the system may allow for a pop up box to appear on the screen  24  in order to allow the user B to see the counselor, as this may put many users B more at ease. 
     As the user B progresses through the system, the data collected from the user B is stored on an appropriate storage device (not separately illustrated) of the processor  38 . Once the user B completes the transaction, and the system has gathered all the necessary data from the user B a confirmation number is issued to the user B, which confirmation number may also be sent to the user&#39;s e-mail account should the user B have such an account and has the account registered with the system. If desired, the kiosk  10  may have a printer (not illustrated) that can give the user B a physical copy of the confirmation. Once the transaction is complete, the data collected is transferred to a central server of either the appropriate government agency or a third party vendor in order to be processed to a form acceptable to the state Medicaid agency, and thereafter transferred. Such transfer of data from processor  38  to central server can be immediately after each transaction or at desired times in batch mode. The transmitted data may reside on the processor  38  for some amount of time, or until erased or otherwise removed, in order to act as a backup should an error occur either during data transfer or downstream of the processor  38 . As updates to the system are needed, they are transmitted to the processor  38  from the central processor (or other appropriate site) without the need for a technician to visit each kiosk  10 . All data transmissions are appropriately encrypted and/or employ other appropriate security measures in order to assure data integrity and safety as well as to protect the system resident within the processor  38 . 
     The variable height interactive kiosk  10  allows users B to apply for, change, examine, etc., Medicaid benefits through the use of a relatively simple interactive system that has an onscreen facilitator employing ladder logic to help such users B with a live counselor on standby for difficult situations. The variable height interactive kiosk  10  allows a user B to traverse the system at the beneficiary&#39;s own pace without being rushed by a person working on a fixed fee per user basis. As the system is software driven, each user&#39;s experience for a give component is equivalent in that each user is given the exact same information for a given situation based on the programming of the system. For example, every user who inquires about the providers in a given MCO will be given the exact same list, which may not be the case with a human counselor who may accidentally miss one or more provider&#39;s names when giving out such information. Any system changes are performed centrally (for example at the state Medicaid office) and simultaneously dispatched remotely to each kiosk  10 . The variable height interactive kiosk  10  allows the user&#39;s application to be submitted to the appropriate agency for processing in real time and with a high degree of certainty of receipt. Should a subcomponent of the overall application system fail, the variable height interactive kiosk  10  provides a level of redundancy so that such failures can be cured immediately upon identification of the failure, possibly without the user B ever knowing of the failure. 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to an embodiment thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.