WO2004049129A2

WO2004049129A2 - Method and card for accelerated provision of funds and fraud reduction for social services

Info

Publication number: WO2004049129A2
Application number: PCT/US2003/037676
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Glee Wood; Wesley Jack White, Jr.
Original assignee: Richard Glee Wood; White Wesley Jack Jr
Priority date: 2002-11-25
Filing date: 2003-11-24
Publication date: 2004-06-10
Also published as: AU2003302357A1; AU2003302357A8; WO2004049129A3; EP1565860A2; EP1565860A4

Abstract

Methods of accelerating the provision of funds to an individual from a non-health government social service program via a program administrator using a smart card are described herein. One method includes issuing a smart card to an individual (100) related to a particular non-health government social service program, using the smart card to determine if the user is preauthorized for the advancement of funds (120) for a particular non-health government social service program and to determine if the service provider is preauthorized to provide service (130) under the non-health government social service program, then transmitting acknowledgment of services from service provider to government (140), transmitting amount from government to service provider (160), transmitting acknowledgement of amount from service provider to government (170), and transferring payment quickly from government to service provider (180).

Description

TITLE:

METHOD AND CARD FOR ACCELERATED PROVISION

FUNDS AND FRAUD REDUCTION FOR SOCIAL SERVICES

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial Nos. 10/303,191, filed November 25, 2002, 10/303,217, filed November 25, 2003 and 10/428,213, filed May 2, 2003, which are incorporated herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods for providing funds to a social service provider using a smart card that contains identification, security measures, and other information to facilitate the transfer o f funds and eliminate fraud in the social services. Embodiments of the present invention further relate to a method for reducing fraud in a government benefit program using a smart card that contains identification, security measures, and other information to facilitate the transfer of funds and eliminate fraud in the benefit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Providers of social services have traditionally had to wait long periods of time to get paid for their services. These providers have been required to extend credit to individuals in order to get paid. This situation has become tedious and causes social services costs to be very high.

[0004] A need has long existed for a system, wherein the government advances funds so that the individual does not have to handle money.

[0005] In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a more fully automated claims processing system that have the ability to have an accelerated pay schedule and an ability to reduce the uncertainty as to whether a claim to be submitted is likely to be paid or rejected. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Embodiments of the invention relate to a method for accelerating the provision of funds to a service provider from social service using a smart card, comprising the steps of: obtaining social service for a individual; creating a smart card for the individual, wherein the smart card c omprises: information about social service for the individual and a individually identification code.

[0007] Next, the smart card is used to determine if the individual is eligible for accelerated provision of funds from the government to a service provider for social services based on coverage.

[0008] The smart card is used to determine if a social service is preauthorized by the government for the individual.

[0009] The smart card is used to determine if a service provider is preauthorized by the government to perform a social service. Once these determinations are made, the smart card facilitates a first transmission from the service provider to the government. The first transmission can include information relative to social service costs, information on the social services provided; and an acknowledgement that the social service has been rendered from the service provider to the individual.

[00010] The smart card facilitates the receipt of a second transmission from the government to the service provider. The second transmission preferably comprises the amount of payment r equired b y t he i ndividual. I n a ddition, t he s mart c ard facilitates a t hird transmission to the government from the service provider. This third transmission comprises an acknowledgement that the amount of payment required by the individual is based on the coverage, such as the co-payment or the deductible amount. On approximately the same day that the third transmission is received by the government, funds are transmitted from the government to the service provider for the social service provided to the individual. [00011] Embodiments of the invention further include a smart card for accelerating the provision of funds.

[00012] Further, embodiments of the invention include additional methods for reducing fraud.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00013] The present invention will be explained in greater detail with reference to the appended Figures, in which:

[00014] FIG 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an overall method of the invention;

[00015] FIG 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a first transmission;

[00016] FIG 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a second transmission;

[00017] FIG 4 is a diagrammatic representation of a third transmission;

[00018] FIG 5 is a diagram of a smart card usable in the invention;

[00019] FIG 6 is a picture of a smart card;

[00020] FIG 7 is a representation of information included in a microchip;

[00021] FIG 8 shows the service provider information stored in the smart card;

[00022] FIG 9 show coinsurance information stored in the microchip;

[00023] FIG 10 shows transmission codes stored in the smart card;

[00024] FIG 11 is a diagrammatic representation of another overall method of the invention;

[00025] FIG 12 is a diagrammatic representation of a first transmission;

[00026] FIG 13 is a diagrammatic representation of a second transmission; and [00027] FIG 14 is a diagrammatic representation of a third transmission.

[00028] The present invention is detailed below with reference to the listed Figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00029] Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments and that it can be practiced or carried out in various ways.

[00030] One embodiment of the invention relates to a method for accelerating the provision of funds to a service provider from social service using a smart card. This means, the method relates to the provision of money, such as $75 for a social service using a plastic card. The plastic card can, in some embodiments, include a chip containing information on the individual. It is also contemplated that a plastic smart card could be used with a magnetic strip without a chip provided it has security codes or biometric reading ability affiliated with the magnetic strip.

[00031] The invention advantageously reduces fraud on social service companies and the government by providing a safe method of pre-authorizing users and guaranteeing payment from single or multiple sources.

[00032] The steps of this method include first obtaining social service for an individual.

[00033] Next, a smart card is created for the individual. For the chip version of the smart card, the card is first manufactured in a conventional manner, and then the relevant information is downloaded from the computers of the service provider to the card.

For a non-chip version o f a smart c ard, the c ard manufacturer would be provided information about the individual from the service provider and embed the relevant information in the magnetic strip and then mail or transfer the magnetic strip card to the user.

[00034] The individual can be the primary individual, a spouse, a non-married "significant partner", at least one dependent, such as one or more children, or it can be combinations of these.

[00035] The smart card can contain information about social service and an individual identification code, such as an individual identification number or "PIN".

[00036] The smart card is an electronically readable card and can connect to the service provider, and may be via the Internet or telephone line. The card is contemplated to preferably contain information on at least one or more of the following:

a. individual name (example - Richard Wood);

b. individual address (example - 2396 Wood Street, Houston, Texas 77019);

c. individual phone number (example - 713-323-5555);

d. individual fax number (example - 713-323-5554);

e. individual email address (example - Wood@aol.com);

f government name or plan manager name (example - a privately funded plan such as Klein Independent School District Employee Benefit Plan of Texas);

g. government address or plan manager's address (example - the address for the

Klein Plan PO Box 672528, Houston, Texas 77267);

h. go vernment phone number or plan manager's phone number (example - 281-873- 8682);

i. optionally, the government fax or plan manager's fax number;

j. optionally, government e-mail or plan manager's email address;

k. government's website or plan manager's website (example www.hasonline.com); 1. government claims representative or plan manager's representative (example - Health Administration Services, Inc.);

m. type of plan (example - PPO);

n. individual policy number or plan number (example - Group 200116289.);

o. individual group number or group plan number (example - KLINASD);

p. individual's co-pay amount (example -$25);

q. individual deductible amount (example - $500 deductible);

r. individual's social service history;

s. instructions (example - pre-certification instructions or urgent admission instructions or emergency admission instructions can be embedded in the card);

t. other phone numbers (example - a phone number for prescription information, a phone number to locate qualified pharmacies under the plan, a phone number to call an approved pharmacist, a phone number to talk to a government's nurse, a phone number for mental health questions, and/or a phone number for chemical dependency);

u. issue date or "validity" date;

v. an expiration date or "expiry date";

w. statements as to ownership of the card;

x. statements as to eligibility of the holder as to the rights of the card and the existence of written agreements related to the card; and

y. disclaimers concerning use, misuse and revocation of the card. [00037] The smart card can also contain information on funds which are available from the government for a completed authorized social service for a particular patient. For example, the card can contain information on the "accelerated fund payment schedule" or the typical payment schedule for a particular social service if the two differ. Generally, the phrase "completed authorized social service" is considered to be a service that has been authorized by contract by the government or is a stated item of coverage.

[00038] The accelerated fund payment schedule could be a 100% payment schedule or a partial accelerated fund payment schedule depending on the contract with the government. It is contemplated that the funds would move electronically from the government's bank account to the service provider's bank account, such as by wire transfer, or similar normal electronic banking procedures.

[00039] Additionally, the smart card can contain information about the various insurance coverages held by the individual. An individual can have insurance that could cover the costs of the social service.

[00040] In the method, the smart card is used to determine if the individual is eligible for accelerated provision of funds from the government to a service provider for social services based on coverage.

[00041] Additionally, the smart card can be used to determine if a social service is preauthorized by the government for the individual, such as for a "John Doe", who is preauthorized for all services without need for additional authorization from the government.

[00042] The smart card is used to not only contain the information described above, but to link to the government's database and between the government's database and the service provider's database and the service provider's bank account. The smart card facilitates a first transmission from the service provider to the government. This first transmission can include information on:

i. determination that the card is valid and the individual is eligible;

ii. determination that the service provider is authorized to provide the service;

iii. proposed social service costs;

iv. information on the social services ; and

v. an acknowledgement that at least one social service has been rendered from the service provider to the individual.

[00043] The smart card facilitates the receipt of a second transmission from the government to t he s ervice p rovider. T his s econd t ransmission c an c ontain i nformation o n t he amount of payment required by the individual based on the insurance coverage. The amount of payment can be all or part of a co-payment fee, all or part of a deductible fee and combinations of these fees.

[00044] The smart card facilitates a third transmission to the government from the service provider. This third transmission would include an acknowledgement that the amount of the co-payment and the deductible has been paid by the individual to the service provider thereby initiating payment by the government.

[00045] Additionally, the government, as a set in the process, must make contracts with various service providers, such as pharmacists, nurses, doctors, and nursing homes that can be linked to the smart card.

[00046] The method involves that on approximately the same day that the third transmission is received by the government, or perhaps on or a few days later, funds are then transmitted from the government to the service provider for the social service provided t o t he i ndividual. T his accelerated p ayment p Ian i s a v ast i mprovement over known systems that take up to eight months to pay a service provider.

[00047] This method contemplates that the social service can be service related to a health procedure. This can be an operation or an out-patient procedure. It can apply to prescription filing; social examinations, social tests, social diagnosis, eye glass prescriptions, dental examinations, dental procedures, mental health procedures, mental health therapies, physical therapy, podiatrists, doctor's visits, hospital visits, out-patient visits, and combinations of these and other procedures that have not been named.

[00048] This method contemplates that the smart card can be used to determine if a second opinion is required by the government for a social service.

[00049] Now and with reference to the Figures, FIG 1 shows a diagram of the overall invention.

[00050] First, a smart card is issued to an individual (100). The smart card is related to a particular non-health government social service program having an individual identification code for the individual. A relationship is created between the providers of services and products under the particular non-health government social service program (110). The providers of the service will be paid directly by the government.

[00051] The smart card is used to determine if the individual is the owner of the card (115) and is preauthorized for the advancement of funds (120) for a particular non-health government s ocial s ervice p rogram. T he s mart c ard i s n ext u sed t o e stablish i f a service provider is preauthorized to provide a product or service under the particular non-health government social service program (130).

[00052] The smart card is used using the smart card to facilitate a first transmission from the service provider to the program administrator (140). [00053] As shown in FIG 2, the first transmission includes service provider identification (210), individual identification (220), proposed product and service information (230), and a request to confirm (230). The confirmation involves the individual's eligibility for benefits under the particular non-health government social service program (240) and validation that accelerated payment of funds under the particular governmental program is available (250).

[00054] The first transmission (140) can further include a first transmission identification code (260); service provider information (270); and individual information (280). Examples of service provider information (270) are service provider code (272), service provider name (274), service provider address (276), service provider office code (278), and service provider phone number (279). Examples of individual information (280) are individual name (282), individual address (284), government phone (286), and individual social security number (288), and combinations thereof.

[00055] Referring back to FIG 1, the smart card is used to facilitate a second transmission from the government to the service provider (160).

[00056] As shown in FIG 3, the second transmission (160) includes confirmation of accelerated payment of funds under the particular governmental program (310); an optional alert to the service provider that a portion of the funds may need to come from the individual and an indication of that fund amount (320); dollar amount limits for the accelerated payment (330); contact individual at the program administrator's office (340); and an authorization code to provide the product and/or service and to guarantee payment for the rendered services (350).

[00057] The second transmission (160) can also include reference codes from the government to be used by the service provider to perform the services (355); a notice as to further services potentially needed by the individual (360); a depiction of the individual

(365); a second transmission identification code (370), and combinations thereof. [00058] Referring back to FIG 1 , the smart card, next, is used to facilitate a third transmission from the service provider to the government (180).

[00059] The third transmission (170), shown in FIG 4, involves an acknowledgement of the product and/or service cost (410); information on the product and/or service provided to the individual (420); acknowledgement that the product or service has been received b y t he i ndividual from t he s ervice p rovider ( 430); a nd a cknowledgement that funds if necessary, were collected from the individual by the service provider (440).

[00060] On approximately the same day that the third transmission is received by the government, funds are transmitted from the government to the service provider (180) for the product and/or service provided to the individual.

[00061] The third transmission (170) can also involve a tracking number (445); date social service was rendered (450); total amount charged to individual (455); statement as to amount that exceeds rendered social service (460); detail on reference codes for rendered social services (465); a third transmission identification code (470); and combinations thereof.

[00062] FIG 5 shows a front view of the smart card (200), while FIG 6 shows the back view of the smart card (200). Physically, the smart card (200) includes a card substrate and a microchip (220) embedded in the card substrate. As seen in FIG 5, the smart card also has a picture (2100) of the user along with design markings (207) identifying the card as a smart card (200), the name of the user and other common identifiers. These design markings (207) can be the mark of government social services provider, the mark of the service provider, and the mark of any third party. Examples of third parties includes a financial institution, a grocery store, a car rental agency, an airline, a office supply chain, a hotel chain, recreational company marks and combinations thereof. [00063] As seen in FIG 6, the back of the smart card (200) has a magnetic medium (240) and a place for the user to sign his name (245) so any signature can be verified.

[00064] The smart card (200) includes numerous security devices to protect the user. FIG 5 shows that the microchip (220) can include eye information (225), fingerprint information (230), and digital signature information (235). Electronic fingerprinting and fingerprint recognition is a currently believed secure method of identification. This is far more secure than PIN codes that can be obtained even when encrypted relatively easily. Social security numbers are generally not considered secure. It is necessary for the individual who owns the smart card to have unique identifiers to allow access to the information on the card. Using first a fingerprint encoding device, the fingerprint or fingerprints of the owner of the card are loaded onto the non re-writable portion of the card's chip. A fingerprint reader connected to the card reader matches the real time image of the fingerprint (s) to the stored image and then provides electronic verification that the card and its owner are together at the same time. The owner can then enter a PIN code or other security code that will allow access to the information on the card by the then approved reader. The owner's authorization allows information to be shared between approved parties.

[00065] In the same way the fingerprint devices and stored images can be used for matching, other verification and authorization recognition devices can be used as well. Laser or optical retinal scanning and facial recognition scanning use the same techniques with different equipment. First, the image of the retina of the owner's eye is scanned and recorded permanently onto the chip of the card in a non-changeable location and format. At the time of verification a scanner is used to scan the card owner's retina in real time and compare the recorded image to the real time one. If there is a match then the owner's identity is verified and they can proceed to provide other authorizations as above.

[00066] Facial recognition works in the same manner as retinal scanning as does several other forms of "optical" recognition and verification. The smart card (200) is contemplated to have all of these security measures.

[00067] The microchip (220) also has information about the government social services provider and individual. FIG 7 is representation of the information included on the microchip (220). The microchip (220) includes information pertaining directly to the individual. This individual information is the name (302), address (304), phone number (306), social security number (308), fax number (310), and e-mail address (312). The microchip (220) also has information about the government social services provider like the government social services provider name (314), government social services provider address (316), government social services provider phone number (318), government social services provider fax number

(320), government social services provider e-mail address (322), the government social services provider claims representative (324), and government social services provider website (354).

[00068] The microchip (220) also includes information that assists in accelerating the provision of funds to a service provider, as shown in FIG 7. The microchip (220) has the individual policy number (326); the individual group number (328); individual's co-pay amount (330); individual deductible amount (332); individual's medical history ( 334); and the individual type o f p lan ( 336). T he microchip also contains secondary information such as the individual pharmacy plan (338); pharmacist phone number (340); individual prescription history (342); and emergency care health conditions (346). The microchip (220) also includes other phone numbers (344), instructions on how to contact government social services provider (348), expiration date of card (350), and expiration date of policy (352), and any other combinations of the included information.

[00069] The microchip (220) can also have medical information, like medicinal prescriptions, for executing the medical transaction. The smart card (200) functions to communicate various types of information between government social services provider, individual, and other parties concerned in accelerating the provision of funds to a service provider. The functions of the smart card (200) include:

i. communicating one or more of the information items encoded on the microchip (220) and shown in FIG 7;

ii. verifying the individual is the owner of the smart card;

iii. communicating the individual's identification information to the government social services provider;

iv. communicating the individual's symptoms to the government social services provider;

v. communicating the service provider information to the government social services provider;

vi. communicating transmission codes;

vii. communicating claim codes for an individual;

viii. communicating deductible and co-payments required of individual;

ix. communicating individual's medical history to enable a service provider to evaluate a proposed treatment;

x. communicating the proposed treatment to an government social services provider;

xi. communicating the cost to be charged from the proposed treatment; xii. communicating from the government social services provider that the cost of proposed treatment fit within the guidelines of the government social services provider;

xiii. communicating authorization codes to perform the proposed treatment;

xiv. communicating notice from the service provider that additional service for the individual may be needed;

xv. communicating eligibility of a service provider for accelerated funds transfer;

xvi. communicating that the proposed treatment to the individual has been provided to the government social services provider;

xvii. communicating the deductible and co-payments were made by the individual to the service provider to the government social services provider;

xviii. communicating annual and ever-to-date government social services providers report to the individual;

xix. communicating complete medical history to the individual;

xx. communicating the status of payment to the service provider for the proposed treatment; and

xxi. communicating combinations thereof.

As listed above, one of the functions of the smart card (200) is to communicate the service provider information to the government social services provider. FIG 8 shows the service provider information stored in the smart card (200). The information found on the microchip (220) includes service provider name (410); service provider code (420); service provider address (430); service provider phone number (440); service provider office code (450); service provider's diagnosis (460); service provider's treatment (470); and service provider's prognosis (480).

[00072] FIG 9 is a diagrammatic representation of the co-insurance information stored in the microchip (220) on the smart card (200). The insurance information is the name of co-government social services provider (5100), the policy number of co-government social services provider (5200), the amount of funds to be paid by co-government social services provider (5300), and combinations thereof.

[00073] FIG 10 shows the transmission codes stored in the smart card (200). The transmission codes are also located on the microchip (220). The transmission codes are for medical history diagnosis (6100), treatment (6200), prognosis (6300), and combinations of a medical history (6400). Other transmission codes are for insurance payment histories. These codes are for histories from government social services provider payments (6500), from government social services provider co-pay payments (6600), from individual deductible amounts (6700), from additional government social services providers (6800), and for combined insurance payment histories (690).

[00074] The smart card (200) itself can further have a magnetic medium (240) on the card substrate. Both the microchip (220) and the magnetic medium (240) can contain all or a portion of the information.

[00075] In an alternative embodiment, the smart card (200) is a magnetic readable card for accelerating the provision of funds to a service provider with a card substrate and a magnetic medium on the card substrate.

[00076] The method described herein is its preferred embodiment is a direct transaction between the service provider and the government using the smart card to facilitate the transaction. In an alternative embodiment, the smart card is contemplated to provide aid to third parties intermediaries. [00077] These third party intermediaries act as a go between the government programs and the individuals receiving the benefit from a government program. Examples of third party intermediaries are School for Meal programs, job placement assistance programs, organizations like Meals On Wheels, and other similar programs.

[00078] The smart card would facilitate access to the funds the government gives to the third party intermediaries. The funds in the third party intermediaries' account would be transferred directly to the service provider once government approved services had been rendered.

[00079] The smart card would also enable the third party intermediaries to report in a more expedited manner without additional labor. The government presently requires regular reports, both on an individual basis and in aggregate, in order for the third party intermediaries to receive funds. Using the smart card eliminates the need for the third party intermediaries to create the reports because the smart card tracks and reports automatically.

[00080] The invention advantageously reduces fraud on the government by providing a safe method of pre-authorizing users for benefits prior to rendering the benefit.

[00081] The invention also advantageously avoids ineligible users from using services for which they are not authorized. The invention safe guards the government from users attempting to apply for the same service more than once, in other words "double dipping".

[00082] FIG 11 shows a diagram of another method of the invention.

[00083] First, a service provider is registered with a governmental agency (1000) and the service provider is given an identification code (1100). Next, at least one service or good of the service provider is registered with the governmental agency (1200) and a claim code is given for the registered service or good (1300). [00084] The smart card is, then, used to determine if the individual is the authorized bearer of the c ard ( 1400) a nd i f t he i ndividual i s e ligible for t he b enefit o f t he government benefit program (1500).

[00085] The smart card is used to facilitate a first transmission from the service provider to a program administrator (1700) for a government agency.

[00086] As shown in FIG 12, the first transmission (1700) includes service provider identification (2100), individual identification code (2200), proposed information (2300), and a request to confirm (2400). The proposed information (2300) involves proposed product information for the individual (2320), proposed service information for the individual (2340), corresponding claim codes for the proposed product (23600), and corresponding claim codes for the proposed service (2380). The request to confirm (2400) entails validation that individual's eligibility for benefits (2420), the proposed good/service is approved for the individual (2440), service provider's eligibility to provide good/service (2460), and request to participate in an accelerated payment program (2480).

[00087] The first transmission (1700) can further include a first transmission identification code (2600); service provider information (2700); and individual information (2800). Examples of service provider information (2700) are service provider code (2720), service provider name (2740), service provider address (2760), service provider office code (2780), and service provider phone number (2790). Examples of individual information (2800) are individual name (2820), individual address (2840), government phone (2860), and individual social security number (2880), and combinations of these.

[00088] Referring back to FIG 11, the smart card is used to facilitate a second transmission from the government to the service provider (1800).

[00089] As shown in FIG 13, the second transmission (1800) includes individual's eligibility for benefits under the government benefit program (3100), validation that the proposed good or proposed service is approved for the individual (3200), validation of the service provider's eligibility to render services under the government benefit program (3300), confirmation that an accelerated payment program is available (3400), and authorization code to provide the proposed product and/or proposed service (3500).

[00090] The second transmission (1800) can also include notice as to further goods/services potentially needed by the individual (3600), depiction of the individual (3700), a second transmission identification code (3800), and combinations thereof.

[00091] Referring back to FIG 11, the smart card, next, is used to facilitate a third transmission from the service provider to the government ( 1900).

[00092] The third transmission (1900), shown in FIG 4, involves list of claim codes for services rendered (4100), acknowledgement by the individual that information on the product and/or service was provided to the individual (4200), acknowledgement that the product or service has been received from the service provider (4300), and request for accelerated payment by the governmental agency to the service provider

(4400).

[00093] On approximately the same day that the third transmission is received by the government, funds are transmitted from the government to the service provider (1800) for the product and/or service provided to the individual.

[00094] The third transmission (1900) can also involve a tracking number (4450); date benefit was rendered (4500); total amount charged to individual (4550); statement as to amount that exceeds rendered benefit (4600); detail on reference codes for rendered benefit (4650); a third transmission identification code (4700); and combinations thereof.

[00095] FIG 15 shows a smart card that is contemplated as within the scope of the invention. The smart card is an electronically readable card containing individual name (5020); individual address (5040); individual phone number (5060); individual fax number (5080); individual email address (5100); individual social security number (5120); government benefit program name (5140); government benefit program address (5160); government phone number (5180); government fax number (5200); government e-mail address (5220); government benefit program administrator

(5240); description of benefit plan (5260); optional individual payment amount (5280); individual's benefit history (5300) (this information can include information on length of time on government programs and types of other programs the individual is a participant); other phone numbers (5320); instructions on how to contact g overnment (5340); e xpiration d ate o f t he c ard (5360); g overnment w ebsite

(5380); a chip to link to the government for information on the benefit program (5400); and combinations thereof. Examples of each information type are located earlier in this description.

[00096] In alternative embodiments, the method can include the step of creating a contractual relationship between the government and a third party for the benefit of the individual. The method can also include the step of disposing marks on the card.

Examples of marks on the card are the government, third parties, service providers and combinations thereof.

[00097] The funds can be for a completed authorized benefit. A completed authorized benefit is a service that has been authorized by contract by the government or is a stated item of coverage in a government benefit plan.

[00098] The smart card is used for the retirement agency program and at least one other government program requiring identification. Examples of other government programs requiring identification are Passport Agencies, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Internal Revenue Service, state driver's licensure agencies, state parks, federal parks, federal monuments, and other similar agencies and organizations

[00099] Also, in any of the discussed methods, the smart card is contemplated to be used for more than one government benefit program or retirement agency program.

While this invention has been described with emphasis on the preferred embodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention might be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A method for accelerating the provision of funds to an individual from a non-health government social service program via a program administrator using a smart card, comprising the steps of:

a. issuing a smart card to an individual related to a particular non-health government social service program having a individual identification code for the individual;

b. creating a relationship with providers of services and products under the particular non-health government social service program to be paid directly by the government for services and products using the smart card;

c. using the smart card to determine if the individual:

i. is the owner of the card;

ii. is preauthorized for the advancement of funds for a particular non-health government social service program;

d. using the smart card to determine if a service provider is preauthorized to provide a product or service under the particular non-health government social service program; and

e. using the smart card to facilitate a first transmission from the service provider to the program administrator, wherein the first transmission comprises:

i. service provider identification;

ii. individual identification;

iii. proposed product and service information, iv. a request to confirm:

1. the individual's eligibility for benefits under the particular non-health government social service program; and

2. to validate that accelerated payment of funds under the particular governmental program is available;

f. using the smart card to facilitate a second transmission from the government to the service provider, wherein the second transmission comprises:

i. confirmation of accelerated payment of funds under the particular governmental program;

ii. an optional alert to the service provider that a portion of the funds may need to come from the individual and an indication of that fund amount;

iii. dollar amount limits for the accelerated payment;

iv. contact individual at the program administrator's office;

v. authorization code to provide the product and/or service and to guarantee payment for the rendered services;

g. using the smart card to facilitate a third transmission from the service provider to the government, wherein the third transmission comprises:

i. an acknowledgement of the product and/or service cost;

ii. information on the product and/or service provided to the individual;

iii. acknowledgement that the product or service has been received by the individual from the service provider; and

iv. acknowledgement that funds if necessary, were collected from the individual by the service provider; and

h. from zero to two days after the third transmission being received by the government, funds are transmitted from the government to the service provider for the product and/or service provided to the individual.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first transmission further comprises:

a. a first transmission identification code;

b. service provider information that comprises a member of the group:

i. service provider code;

ii. service provider name;

iii. service provider address;

iv. service provider office code; and

v. service provider phone number;

c. individual information that comprises a member of the group:

i. individual name;

ii. individual address;

iii. government phone number;

iv. individual social security number; or

v. combinations thereof.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second transmission further comprises: a. reference codes from the government to be used by the service provider to perform the services;

b. a notice as to further services potentially needed by the individual;

c. a depiction of the individual;

d. a second transmission identification code;

e. or combinations thereof.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the third transmission comprises:

a. a tracking number;

b. date social service was rendered;

c. total amount charged to individual;

d. statement as to amount that exceeds rendered social service;

e. detail on reference codes for rendered social services;

f. a third transmission identification code; or

g. combinations thereof.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the smart card is an electronically readable card comprising information selected from the group:

a. individual name;

b. individual address;

c. individual phone number; d. individual fax number;

e. individual email address;

f. individual social security number;

g. non-health government social service program name;

h. non-health government social service program address;

i. government phone number;

j. government fax number;

k. government e-mail address;

1. non-health government social service program administrator;

m. description of social service benefit plan;

n. optional individual payment amount;

o. individual's social service history;

p. other phone numbers;

q. instructions on how to contact government;

r. expiration date of the smart card;

s. government website;

t. a chip to link to the government for information on the social service program; and

u. combinations thereof.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the individual's social service history includes information on length of time on government programs and types of other programs the individual is on.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of creating a contractual relationship between the government and a third party for the benefit of the individual.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of disposing marks on the card selected from the group: the government, third parties, service providers, and combinations thereof.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the funds are for a completed authorized social service.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein a completed authorized social service is a service which has been authorized by contract by the government or is a stated item of coverage in a government social service plan.

11. A smart card for accelerating the provision of funds to a service provider for non-health government social services provider, wherein said smart card comprises:

a. a card substrate;

b. a microchip embedded in said card substrate; and

c. wherein the microchip comprises information selected from the group:

i. individual name;

ii. individual address;

iii. individual phone;

iv. individual social security number

v. individual fax; vi. individual email;

vii. government social services provider name;

viii. government social services provider address;

ix. government social services provider phone;

x. government social services provider fax,

xi. government social services provider e-mail;

xii. government social services provider claims representative;

xiii. instructions on how to contact government social services provider;

xiv. expiration date of card;

xv. government social services provider website; and

xvi. combinations thereof;

wherein the smart card functions to communicate information selected from the group:

i. one or more of the items listed above;

ii. verifying the individual is the owner of the smart card;

iv. communicating the service provider information to the government social services provider;

v. communicating transmission codes; vi. communicating claim codes for an individual;

vii. communicating the cost to be charged to the individual;

viii. communicating from the government social services provider that the cost of proposed treatment fit within the guidelines of the government social services provider;

ix. communicating authorization codes to perform the proposed treatment;

x. communicating notice from the service provider than additional service for the individual may be needed;

xi. communicating eligibility of a service provider for accelerated funds transfer;

xii. communicating that the proposed service to the individual has been provided to the government social services provider;

xiii. communicating a nnual a nd t o-date g overnment so cial s ervices p roviders reports to the individual;

xiv. communicating the status of payment to the service provider for the proposed service; and

xv. communicating combinations thereof.

12. The smart c ard of claim 11, wherein the microchip further c omprises service provider information comprising a member of the group:

a. service provider code;

b. service provider name;

c. service provider address; d. service provider phone; and

e. service provider office code.

13. The smart card of claim 11 further comprising a magnetic medium on said card substrate, and wherein both of said microchip and said magnetic medium can comprise all or a portion of the information.

14. The smart card of claim 11 , further comprising a depiction of the owner of the smart card.

15. The smart card of claim 11, further comprising a mark of the social services provider on the smart card.

16. The smart card of claim 11, further comprising a mark of the social service provider on the smart card.

17. The smart card of claim 11 , further comprising a mark of a third party on the smart card.

18. The smart card of claim 17, wherein the third party is a member of the group: a financial institution, a grocery store, a car rental agency, an airline, an office supply chain, a hotel chain, recreational company marks, and combinations thereof.

19. The smart card of claim 11, wherein the microchip contains security information for prohibiting unauthorized access to the information contained on the smart card.

20. The smart card of claim 19, wherein the security information includes personal information in the form of a digital signature.

21. The smart card of claim 19, wherein the security information includes biometrics information.

22. The smart card of claim 21, wherein said biometrics information includes fingeφrint information, retinal information and other biometrics data on the individual.

3. A magnetic readable card for accelerating the provision of funds to a service provider for non-health government social services, said magnetic readable card comprising:

a. a card substrate; and

b. a magnetic medium on said card substrate, wherein said magnetic medium comprises information selected from the group:

i. individual name;

ii. individual address;

iii. individual phone;

iv. individual social security number;

v. individual fax;

vi. individual email;

vii. government social services provider name;

viii. government social services provider address;

ix. government social services provider phone;

x. government social services provider fax,

xi. government social services provider e-mail;

xii. government social services provider claims representative;

xiii. individual group number;

xiv. and combinations thereof; for communication information selected from the group: one or more of the items listed above;

i. verifying the individual is the owner of the smart card;

ii. communicating the individual's identification information to the government social services provider;

iii. communicating the service provider information to the government social services provider;

iv. transmission codes;

v. claim codes for an individual;

vi. communicate the proposed service to a government social services provider;

vii. commimicate the cost to be charged from the proposed service;

viii. communicate from the government social services provider that the cost of proposed services fit within the guidelines of the government social services provider;

ix. authorization codes to perform the proposed services;

x. notice from the service provider than additional service for the individual may be needed;

xi. eligibility of a service provider for accelerated funds transfer;

xii. communicate that the proposed services to the individual has been provided to the government social services provider; xiii. communicate the deductible and co-payments were made by the individual to the service provider to the government social services provider;

xiv. communicate the status of payment to the service provider for the proposed treatment; and

xv. combinations thereof.

24. The magnetic readable card of claim 23, wherein the service provider information comprises a member of the group:

a. service provider code;

b. service provider name;

c. service provider address;

d. service provider phone; and

e. service provider office code

25. The magnetic readable card of claim 23, further comprising a depiction of the owner of the magnetic readable card.

26. The magnetic readable card claim 23, further comprising a microchip comprising security information for prohibiting unauthorized access to said information contained on said card.

27. The magnetic readable card of claim 26, wherein said security information includes personal information in the form of a digital signature.

28. The magnetic readable card of claim 26, wherein said security information includes biometrics information.

29. The magnetic readable card of claim 28, wherein the biometrics information is fingeφrint information, retinal eye information or other biometric information.

30. A method for reducing fraud in a government benefits program comprising the steps of:

a. registering a service provider with a governmental agency and issuing a service provider identification code;

b. registering at least one service or at least one good of the service provider with the governmental agency and identifying a claim code for each registered service or registered good;

c. issuing a smart card to an individual related to a government benefits program, wherein the government benefits program is associated with the governmental agency, wherein the individual has an individual identification code, and wherein the smart card has a smart card identification feature to identify the individual;

d. using the smart card to determine if the individual:

i. is the authorized bearer of the card; and

ii. is eligible for benefits from the government benefit program;

e. using the smart card to determine if a service provider is preauthorized to provide a registered product or registered service under the government benefit program;

f. using the smart card to facilitate a first transmission from the service provider to the government agency, wherein the first transmission comprises:

i. the service provider identification code;

ii. the individual identification code;

iii. proposed information selected from the group consisting of proposed product information for the individual; proposed service information for the individual; coπesponding claim codes for the proposed product; and corresponding claim codes for the proposed service; and

iv. a request to confirm:

1. the individual's eligibility for benefits under the government benefit program;

2. a validation that the proposed good or service is approved for the individual;

3. the service provider's eligibility to render services or provide goods under the government benefit program; and

4. a request to participate in an accelerated payment program for the proposed good or the proposed service;

g. using the smart card to facilitate a second transmission from the government agency to the service provider, wherein the second transmission comprises:

i. the individual's eligibility for benefits under the government benefit program;

ii. a validation that the proposed good or proposed service is approved for the individual;

iii. a validation of the service provider's eligibility to render services under the government benefit program;

iv. a confirmation that an accelerated payment program is available; and

v. an authorization code to provide the proposed product and/or proposed service; h. using the smart card to facilitate a third transmission from the service provider to the government agency, wherein the third transmission comprises:

i. a claim codes list for services rendered or product provided;

ii. acknowledgement by the individual that information on the product and/or service was provided to the individual;

iii. acknowledgement that the product or service has been received from the service provider; and

iv. a request for accelerated payment by the governmental agency to the service provider.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the second transmission further comprises an alert to the service provider that a portion of the funds may need to come from the individual and an indication of the amount of the funds.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the third transmission further comprises dollar amount limits for the accelerated payment.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein the third transmission further comprises an acknowledgement that funds were collected from the individual by the service provider.

34. The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of wherein between 1 day and 21 days of receipt of the third transmission by the government agency funds are transmitted from the government agency to the service provider.

35. The method of claim 30, wherein the government benefit program is a member of the group consisting of unemployment programs, food stamp programs, school lunch programs, government sponsored art and humanity programs, and social security programs.

36. The method of claim 30, wherein the smart card identification feature is a member of the group consisting of: identification code and a biometrics identification system.

37. The method of claim 30, wherein the first transmission further comprises a member of the group:

a. ^• a first transmission identification code;

b. service provider information that comprises a member of the group:

i. service provider code;

ii. service provider name;

iii. service provider address;

iv. service provider office code; and

v. service provider phone number;

c. individual information that comprises a member of the group:

i. individual name;

ii. individual address;

iii. government phone number;

iv. individual social security number; and

v. combinations thereof.

38. The method of claim 30, wherein the second transmission further comprises a member of the group:

a. a notice as to further services or goods potentially needed by the individual; b. a depiction of the individual; and

c. a second transmission identification code and combinations thereof.

39. The method of claim 30, wherein the third transmission comprises:

a. a tracking number;

b. a date on which the benefit was rendered;

c. a total amount charged relative to the individual;

d. a statement as to any amount that exceeds authorized service or good;

e. detail on the claim codes for rendered service or good;

f a third transmission identification code; and

g. combinations thereof.

40. The method of claim 30, wherein the smart card is an electronically readable card comprising information selected from the group consisting of:

a. individual name;

b. individual address;

c. individual phone number;

d. individual fax number;

e. individual email address;

f. individual social security number;

g. government benefit program name; h. government benefit program address;

i. government phone number;

j. government fax number;

k. government e-mail address;

1. government benefit program administrator;

m. description of government benefit plan;

n. individual payment amount;

o. individual's benefit history;

p. other phone numbers;

q. instructions on how to contact the government agency;

r. expiration date of the smart .card;

s. government website address;

t. a chip to obtain the information on the government benefit program; and

u. combinations thereof.

41. The method of claim 30, wherein the individual's benefit history includes information on length o f t ime o n g overnment p rograms a nd t ypes o f o ther p ro grams t he i ndividual i s eligible to use.

42. The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of creating a contractual relationship between the government agency and a third party for the benefit of the individual.

43. The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of disposing marks on the card selected from the group consisting of the government agency trademarks and logos, third party trademarks and logos, service provider trademarks and logos and combinations thereof.

44. A method for reducing fraud in retirement payment programs comprising the steps of:

a. registering an individual with a retirement payment agency and issuing a smart card to an individual with an identification code, which can be a biometrics code or a pin;

b. registering at least one service or good provider with the retirement payment agency and identifying a code for the provider and for each service or good provided by that provider;

c. using the smart card to determine if the individual:

i. is the authorized bearer of the card; and

ii. is eligible for benefits from the retirement payment agency;

d. using the smart card to determine if a service or good provider is preauthorized to provide a product or service under the retirement payment program;

e. using the smart card to facilitate a first transmission from the provider to the retirement payment agency, wherein the first transmission comprises:

i. the provider identification code;

ii. the individual identification code;

iii. proposed information selected from the group consisting of proposed product information for the individual; proposed service information for the individual; coπesponding codes for the proposed product; and corresponding codes for the proposed service; and iv. a request to confirm the transmission:

1. the individual's eligibility for benefits under the retirement payment agency;

2. a v alidation that t he p roposed g ood o r s ervice is a pproved for t he individual;

3. the provider's eligibility to render services or provide goods under the retirement payment agency; and

f. using the smart card to facilitate a second transmission from the retirement payment agency to the provider, wherein the second transmission comprises:

i. the individual's eligibility for benefits under the retirement payment program;

iii. a validation of the provider's eligibility to render services under the retirement payment agency;

iv. a confirmation that an accelerated payment program is available; and

v. an authorization code to provide the proposed product and/or proposed service;

g. using the smart card to facilitate a third transmission from the provider to the government agency, wherein the third transmission comprises: i. a codes list for services rendered;

iii. acknowledgement that the product or service has been received from the provider; and

iv. a request for accelerated payment by the retirement payment agency to the service provider.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the third transmission further comprises dollar amount limits for the accelerated payment.

46. The method of claim 44, further comprising the step of monitoring fraud to minimizing fraud within the social security programs.

47. The method of claim 44, wherein the first transmission further comprises a member of the group consisting of:

a. a first transmission identification code;

b. provider information that comprises a member of the group consisting of:

i. provider code;

ii. provider name;

iii. provider address;

iv. provider office code; and

v. provider phone number;

c. individual information that consists of: i. individual name;

ii. individual address;

iii. a social security number; and

iv. combinations thereof.

48. The method of claim 44, wherein the second transmission further comprises a member of the group consisting of:

a. a notice as to further services or goods potentially needed by the individual;

b. a depiction of the individual;

c. a second transmission identification code;

d. and combinations thereof.

49. The method of claim 44, wherein the third transmission comprises:

a. a tracking number;

b. a date on which the benefit was rendered;

c. a total amount paid to the individual;

d. a statement as to any amount requested that exceeds the authorized service or goods;

e. detail on the codes for rendered services or goods;

f. a third transmission identification code; and

g. combinations thereof.

0. The method of claim 44, wherein the smart card is an electronically readable card comprising information consisting of:

a. individual name;

b. individual address;

c. individual phone number;

d. individual fax number;

e. individual email address;

f. a social security number;

g. retirement agency name;

h. retirement agency address;

i. agency phone number;

j. agency fax number;

k. agency e-mail address;

1. agency administrator;

m. description of the retirement plan;

n. individual payment amount;

o. individual's retirement history;

p. other phone numbers;

q. instructions on how to contact the agency; r. expiration date of the smart card;

s. agency website address;

t. a chip to obtain the information on the retirement agency program; and

u. combinations thereof.

5 51. The method of claim 44, further comprising the step of disposing marks on the card selected from the group consisting of the agency trademarks and logos, third party trademarks and logos, provider trademarks and logos and combinations thereof.

52. The m ethod o f c laim 44, w herein the smart c ard is u sed for m ore t han o ne g overnment benefit program.

0 53. The method of claim 52, wherein the smart card is used for the retirement agency program and at least one other government program requiring identification.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein the at least one other government program requiring identification is a member selected from the group consisting of Passport Agencies, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Internal Revenue Service, state driver's licensure L 5 agencies, state parks, federal parks, federal monuments and combinations thereof.