METHOD OF PROVIDING DISCOUNTED PRODUCTS AND SERVICES | Patent Publication Number 20130090993
US 20130090993 A1Trish J. Taylor
The present invention is a method for managing and providing discounts for fertility pharmaceutical medications and services. Specifically, the invention is method for providing discounts for medications and services by using a discount card that: (1) provides cash-paying patients with access to pharmaceutical and medical discounts; (2) provides pharmaceutical companies an opportunity to brand and market themselves; and (3) provides participating pharmacies a source of new and dedicated customers. The cost of the discount card, which is typically purchased by the customer directly, is reimbursed at equal cost to the customer through a gift card, which must be redeemed in a participating pharmacy or retail store. The card may be provided to the customer by doctors, fertility centers, pharmacies, self insured groups, insurers and retail stores, rather than being purchased directly.
- 1. A method of managing a computer-based discount program and providing discounts for goods/services, the steps comprising:nproviding a computer-based discount management program;providing a plurality of discount cards;obtaining said plurality of discount cards by a plurality of customers;activating said plurality of discount cards obtained by said plurality of customers;assigning each of said plurality of activated discount cards a unique identification number such that a plurality of unique identification numbers is created;registering said plurality of unique identification numbers within said computer-based discount management program, such that a plurality of registered discount cards are created;wherein said plurality of registered discount cards provide a plurality of discounts for a plurality of goods/services, such that a plurality of discounted goods/services are available; andusing said plurality of registered discount cards such that said plurality of customers receive one or more of said plurality of discounts when purchasing said plurality of discounted goods/services.
- 12. A method of managing a computer-based discount program and providing discounts for goods/services, the steps comprising:nproviding a computer-based discount management program;providing a plurality of discount cards;obtaining said plurality of discount cards by a plurality of customers;inputting a plurality of customer data into said computer-based discount management program;wherein when said plurality of customer data is inputted into said computer-based discount management program, said computer-based discount management program automatically generates a plurality of identification numbers that are assigned to said plurality of discount cards;activating said plurality of discount cards obtained by said plurality of customers;negotiating by an operator of said computer-based discount management program a plurality of discounts with a plurality of companies that provide a plurality of goods/services.wherein said plurality of discount cards provide said plurality of discounts for said plurality of goods/services, such that a plurality of discounted goods/services are available; andusing said plurality of activated discount cards such that a plurality of customers receive one or more of said plurality of discounts when purchasing said plurality of goods/services.
- 20. A method of managing a computer-based discount program and providing discounts for goods/services, the steps comprising:nproviding a computer-based discount management program;providing a plurality of discount cards;obtaining said plurality of discount cards by a plurality of customers;inputting a plurality of customer data into said computer-based discount management program;wherein when said plurality of customer data is inputted into said computer-based discount management program, said computer-based discount management program automatically generates a plurality of unique identification numbers that are assigned to said plurality of discount cards;activating said plurality of discount cards obtained by said plurality of customers;registering said plurality of unique identification numbers within said computer-based discount management program, such that a plurality of registered discount cards are created;negotiating by an operator of said computer-based discount management program a plurality of discounts with a plurality of companies that provide a plurality of goods/services;wherein said plurality of registered discount cards provide said plurality of discounts for said plurality of goods/services, such that a plurality of discounted goods/services are available;using said plurality of registered discount cards such that a plurality of customers receive said plurality of discounts when purchasing said plurality of goods/services;wherein said plurality of discount cards display one or more brands of said plurality of companies that provide said plurality of goods/services;wherein said plurality of discounted goods/services are comprised of a plurality of prescription fertility medications;wherein said plurality of discounted goods/services are purchased by said plurality of customers directly without an adequate insurance.wherein at least one of said plurality of discount cards are purchased directly by at least one of said plurality of customers;wherein a cost of said at least one of said plurality of discount cards purchased directly by said at least one of said plurality of customers is refunded via a gift card; andwherein said at least one of said plurality of discount cards are provided as part of an advertisement.
The invention relates, generally, to a method for providing consumers or customers with discounted products and services through the use of a discount card program. More specifically, the method provides discounts on fertility-based medications available from pharmacies. In particular, the invention is a method that efficiently manages discounts for medications and services by: (1) providing patients more access to fertility related pharmaceuticals through a discount; (2) providing pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies branding and marketing opportunities; and (3) providing participating pharmacies a source of new and dedicated customers.
Each year, thousands of couples discover that having a baby will be more difficult than they thought due to infertility. The medical and pharmaceutical industries have developed treatments and drugs in order to help those couples overcome infertility problems. Although many of these treatments and drugs are effective, they can be very expensive. Furthermore, the treatments and drugs might require months or even years to be effective. Accordingly, in order to have a baby, infertile couples must sometimes spend thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars over the course of several years.
Although infertility is typically a medical problem, the costs of treating the infertility are not covered by many health insurance plans or companies. As such, the high costs of fertility treatments and drugs are borne completely by the couple seeking the treatments or drugs. Although infertility insurance is available, for individuals or for insurance plans, this insurance is expensive and is not affordable for many couples.
Therefore, what is needed is a method or system of providing and managing significant discounts to patients on certain prescribed fertility-based medications and services without the need for insurance coverage, by providing a discount card, in which a patient receives discounts when purchasing prescribed drugs and medical services with the discount card.
To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention discloses a new and useful method for managing and providing discounts on fertility drugs.
One embodiment of the invention is a method of managing a computer-based discount program and providing discounts for goods/services, the steps comprising: providing a computer-based discount management program; providing a plurality of discount cards; obtaining the plurality of discount cards by a plurality of customers; activating the plurality of discount cards obtained by the plurality of customers; assigning each of the plurality of activated discount cards a unique identification number such that a plurality of unique identification numbers is created; registering the plurality of unique identification numbers within the computer-based discount management program, such that a plurality of registered discount cards are created; wherein the plurality of registered discount cards provide a plurality of discounts for a plurality of goods/services, such that a plurality of discounted goods/services are available; using the plurality of registered discount cards such that a plurality of customers receive one or more of the plurality of discounts when purchasing the plurality of goods/services. Preferably, the method includes the steps of: inputting a plurality of customer data into the computer-based discount management programs; wherein when the plurality of customer data is input into the computer-based discount management program, the computer-based discount management program automatically generates the plurality of identification numbers that are assigned to the plurality of discount cards; wherein the plurality of discount cards display one or more brands of a plurality of companies that provide the plurality of goods/services; wherein the plurality of discounted goods/services are comprised of a plurality of fertility medications; wherein the plurality of fertility medications are comprised of a plurality of prescription medications; wherein the plurality of discounted goods/services are purchased by the plurality of consumers or customers directly without insurance, with limited insurance (a person without insurance or with limited insurance is a person without adequate insurance); wherein at least one of the plurality of discount cards are purchased directly by at least one of the plurality of customers; wherein a cost of the at least one discount card purchased directly by the at least one customer is refunded via a gift card. Alternatively, the plurality of discount cards are purchased directly by the group consisting of: a obstetrician; a gynecologist; a fertility center; a pharmacy; a pharmaceutical company; a physician; a retail store; a self insured group; and an insurer. Preferably, the method includes the steps of: negotiating by an operator of the computer-based discount management program the plurality of discounts with the plurality of companies that provide the plurality of goods/services; wherein at least one of the plurality of discount cards are provided as part of an advertisement.
Another embodiment of the invention is a method of managing discounts for prescribed medications and services, the steps comprising: providing a discount card; wherein the discount card provides one or more discounts for one or more pharmaceutical products; purchasing the discount card by a patient; activating the discount card; assigning an identification number of the patient to the discount card; registering the identification number in a computer online system; and receiving the one or more discounts when purchasing one or more pharmaceutical products with the discount card. Preferably, when the discount card is purchased online, the identification number is automatically assigned at that time. then, an email with patient identification goes to the administrator of the system and the participating pharmacy. The participating pharmacy then fulfills the order and provides the agreed to discount. Preferably, the discount card includes one or more brands of the pharmaceutical companies. Preferably, the providing step of the discount card is performed by the group consisting of: a obstetrician; a gynecologist; a fertility center; a pharmacy; a pharmaceutical company; a physician; a retail store; a self insured group; and an insurer. The discount card is preferably purchased with a credit card online, or with a credit card or cash if purchased in pharmacy store or retail store. Generally, the purchasing step of the discount card by the patient is further comprised of the steps of: purchasing the discount card online; and receiving the discount once the order is purchased with the pharmacy over the phone or in pharmacy store; and receiving the medication by mail to the patient. Generally, the registering step is further comprised of steps of: inputting information of the patient in a computer online system; and sending an acknowledgment to the patient. The acknowledgment confirms a completion of the registering step. Typically, the one or more discounts are negotiated by a third party and all discounts are agreed prior to discount card being distributed to the general public. The discount card may include an advertisement document. The one or more pharmaceutical products can be one or more prescribed medications. The discount card medication package received by the patient includes a gift card of the same value redeemed at agreed in-store pharmacy or retail store.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a method of managing discounts for prescribed medications and services, the steps comprising: providing an advertisement document; wherein the advertisement document includes a discount card and wherein the discount card provides one or more discounts for one or more pharmaceutical products; purchasing the discount card with a credit card online or credit card or cash if purchased in pharmacy or retail store by a patient; activating the discount card; assigning an identification number of the patient to the discount card; registering the identification number in a computer online system; sending an acknowledgment to the patient; wherein the acknowledgment confirms a completion of the registering step; and receiving the one or more discounts when purchasing one or more pharmaceutical products with the discount card. Preferably, the discount card includes one or more brands of the pharmaceutical companies. Preferably, the providing step of the advertisement document with the discount card is performed by the group consisting of: a obstetrician; a gynecologist; a fertility center; a pharmacy; a pharmaceutical company; a physician; a retail store; a self insured group; and an insurer. Generally, the one or more discounts is negotiated by a third party and all discounts are agreed prior to discount card being distributed to the general public. The purchasing step of the discount card by the patient may further comprise of the steps of: purchasing the discount card online; and receiving the discount card by mail to the patient. Preferably, the discount card is received upfront in the marketing card, which was previously mailed to the consumer or retailer, and/or sent in an email received by the consumer after purchasing online. The consumer may receive the medications by mail or, in some cases, the consumer or patient will be able to pick up the prescribed and discounted medicine within the pharmacy as well. The discount card is preferably not directly mailed to the consumer. The gift card in the same amount as the cost of the discount card is preferably mailed to the consumer and, in some cases, the gift card may be handed to the consumer in the pharmacy or retail store. The one or more pharmaceutical products may be one or more prescribed medications. The discount card may be a gift card.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a method of managing discounts for prescribed fertility medications and services, the steps comprising: providing an advertisement document; wherein the advertisement document includes a discount card and wherein the advertisement document with the discount card is provided by the group consisting of: a obstetrician; a gynecologist; a fertility center; a pharmacy; a pharmaceutical company; a physician; a retail store; a self insured group; and an insurer; the discount card includes one or more brands of the pharmaceutical companies and provides one or more discounts of one or more pharmaceutical products; wherein the one or more discounts are negotiated by a third party and all discounts are preferably agreed to prior to discount card being distributed to the general public; purchasing online the discount card with a credit card by a patient; receiving the medication by mail to the patient; activating the discount card; wherein the discount card is activated from a group consisting of: a patient, a pharmacy; a doctor; and a retail store; assigning an identification number of the patient to the discount card; registering the identification number in a computer online system; sending an acknowledgment to the patient; wherein the acknowledgment confirms a completion of the registering step; and receiving the one or more discounts when purchasing one or more pharmaceutical products with the discount card; wherein the one or more pharmaceutical products are one or more prescribed medications.
The present invention allows the discount card to be a gift card, phone card, or debit card and may include an advertising document.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome the limitations of the prior art.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method managing discounts for prescribed fertility medications and services.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a discount program that: a) provides more patient access to prescription medication discounts with immediate value being available in retail stores with in-pharmacy services and inside OBGYN offices and fertility centers; b) provides patients with immediate face-to-face consultation for their discounted medications when purchased in the pharmacy or store or fertility center; c) provides patient direct discounts on fertility medications where no other discounts are available to the patient directly outside of the fertility doctor; d) provides cash paying patients with no traditional insurance or limited to no prescription medication or limited to no fertility medication coverage a substantial discount on their medication needs; e) provides an avenue of branding for the pharmaceutical companies that participate on the card; f) provides an avenue of branding for the pharmacies that participate on the card; g) provides the opportunity for the pharmaceutical company and the pharmacy company to associate their brand's together for maximum market impact; and h) allows makers of retail products, i.e. pregnancy test kits, to offer their users substantial discounts on fertility medications by way of co-marketing features of present invention on the product packaging.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of providing discounts of fertility care drugs through a care card. The card may be sold by the program provider, a pharmacy, a fertility doctor or clinic, a retail store, an insurance agency, or a pharmaceutical company. The card may be bought at a physical location or online. Once purchased, the customer registers his or her information with the online discount program administrator. The card may then be used to purchase prescription fertility medicines. The pharmacy fulfilling the prescription, provides the promised medication discounts and processes the patients' payment for the prescription over the phone or in the pharmacy. The prescription is picked up at the in-store pharmacy or the pharmacy mails the medication direct to the patient. Preferably, there is a special identification between the particular pharmaceutical drug company and the pharmacy in order to track sales and identify each medication discount. If the customer buys the card, he or she preferably receives a gift card for the amount paid to enroll in the discount program and receive the discount card. The gift card is preferably redeemable at the store/pharmacy where the discount card was sold.
Other features of the present invention include online payment directly on a website with all fulfillment process on the same website. If the pharmacy sells the discount card, the pharmacy would have access to track the purchases by the user. The fulfillment of the online process may be completely managed by the fulfilling pharmacy. Preferably the marketing and product distribution of the discount card is managed by the operator of the discount program, which might be an insurance agency. The method of the present invention may offer discounts on any medication that have been negotiated in combination with traditional health insurance, in the event the insurance restricts or excludes the certain medication. Use of the present invention may be a voluntary benefit to any self-insured or self-funded group for a direct purchase by the group or by the groups employee. The discount card may be given away free by a pharmaceutical drug company, a pharmacy, an insurance company, a fertility clinic, or a doctor's office, which would mean the program would be free to the customer. When not purchased by the customer, the gift card may be given to the customer, or not.
A purchased discount card using the discount program of the present invention preferably is directed to providing a discount on fertility drugs, but a discount card and program could be offered having nothing to do with a pharmacy or fertility drugs.
These, as well as other components, steps, features, objects, benefits, and advantages, will now become clear from a review of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.
The drawings are of illustrative embodiments. They do not illustrate all embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition or instead. Details which may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted to save space or for more effective illustration. Some embodiments may be practiced with additional components or steps and/or without all of the components or steps which are illustrated. When the same numeral appears in different drawings, it refers to the same or like components or steps.
In the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention. However, one or more embodiments of the invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of embodiments of the invention.
While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the screen shot figures, and the detailed descriptions thereof, are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment of the invention shall not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention.
In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe certain features of one or more embodiments of the invention. For instance, “discount card†refers to any card that provides discounts for current purchases of fertility-based pharmaceutical products and may be in the form of, without limitation, PEG cards, gift cards, phone cards, credit cards, pharmacy cards, and coupon cards. The term “third party†refers any entity other than the patient, and may include, without limitation, insurance companies, pharmacies, pharmaceutical drug companies, retail stores, administration companies, or government agencies.
The present invention is a cash-based or direct pay program, system, and method that provides patients discounts for fertility related pharmaceutical products and services. The discounts are provided by a discount card, which may be purchased by the patient through a doctor, pharmacy, retail store, or online. Once the discount card is purchased and activated, the patient may use the card to make purchases at any pharmacy or retail store to receive certain discounts. The term “goods/services†refers to the combination of goods and services that might be provided by an entity in any industry. “Goods/services†expressly includes fertility medications and fertility treatments and services. The providers of the “goods/services†typically charge for the goods and services.
The first step of the method 100 is providing a computer-based discount management program 105. The computer-based discount management program is preferably a software program or application designed to manage one or more discounts for pharmaceutical goods/services, especially fertility-based products. The discount management program is typically accessed through multiple computers through the Internet, and stores information of all the participants involved. The discount management program also preferably stores information relating to the discount services offered. Such information may include, without limitation, discounts on the types of goods/services involved with the program, information of the customers who participate with the discount program, and information of doctors, fertility centers, pharmaceutical companies, pharmacies, retail stores, fertility clinics, and administrators who participate with the discounted offerings. The discount management program also provides the ability to allow anyone such as customers, doctors, fertility centers, pharmaceutical companies, and pharmacies to input information into the discount management program's database.
Preferably, the discount card 200 is provided along with an advertisement 400 (a front view and back view of one embodiment of the advertisements are shown in
Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, locations, and other specifications which are set forth in this specification, including in the claims which follow, are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range which is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the above detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the detailed description is to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, although not explicitly recited, one or more embodiments of the invention may be practiced in combination or conjunction with one another. Furthermore, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment of the invention shall not be interpreted to limit the scope the invention. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims that are appended hereto.
Except as stated immediately above, nothing which has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims.