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Insurance Abstract
The present invention provides a system that quickly and efficiently
supplies an applicant with application questions that are dynamically
tailored to a particular applicant, decides whether to offer the
applicant long term health insurance coverage and terms of the offer,
and equips an agent with information necessary to provide a more
accurate quote to the applicant. Various embodiments of the present
invention provide applicants with an appropriate number of questions
depending on the extensiveness and type of their medical history
and conditions and may provide an offer or notice of no offer of
long-term coverage within a few seconds to a few hours.
Insurance Claims
1. A method for applying for health insurance through a network,
the method comprising:receiving personal information associated
with an applicant for health insurance through a network;providing
a first set of questions through the network, the first set questions
related to the applicant's medical history and configured to be
displayed on a screen;receiving answers to the first set of questions
through the network;providing a second set of questions through
the network, the second set of questions based at least in part
on the answers to the first set of questions, related to the applicant's
medical history, and configured to be displayed on a screen;receiving
answers to the second set of questions through the network; anddetermining
whether to offer the applicant a health insurance policy based at
least in part on the applicant's personal information and answers
to the first and second set of questions.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:providing a third
set of questions through the network, the third set of questions
based on the applicant's answers to the second set of questions
and the applicant's medical history and configured to be displayed
on a screen;receiving answers to the third set of questions through
the network; anddetermining whether to offer the applicant a health
insurance policy based at least in part on the applicant's personal
information and answers to the first, second, and third set of questions.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing a medical
background check based on the applicant's personal information by
obtaining applicant medical history data from a database.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising deciding the terms
of an insurance offer to the applicant based on the applicant's
personal information and answers to the first and second set of
questions.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the applicant
with an insurance policy offer through a network.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the applicant
with a notification through the network that the applicant will
not receive an offer.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the applicant's personal information
comprises demographic data.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising comparing the applicant's
personal information to pre-set criteria.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the network is the Internet.
10. A method for applying for health insurance through a network,
the method comprising:providing a first question related to a first
area of an applicant's medical history through a network;receiving
an answer to the first question related to a first area of an applicant's
medical history through a network; anddetermining whether to provide
a second question that is related to the first area of the applicant's
medical history based at least in part on the answer to the first
question related to the first area of the applicant's medical history.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:providing a second
question related the first area of the applicant's medial history;receiving
an answer to the second question related to the first area of the
applicant's medical history; anddetermining whether to provide a
third question related to the first area of the applicant's medical
history based at least in part on the answer to the second question.
Related to the first area of the applicant's medical history.
12. The method of claim 10 further comprising:providing a first
question related to a second area of medical insurance applicant's
medial history through a network;receiving an answer to the first
question related to a second area of an applicant's medical history
through a network; anddetermining whether to provide a second question
that is related to the second area of the applicant's medical history
based at least in part on the answer to the first question related
to the second area of the applicant's medical history.
13. The method of claim 10, further comprising performing a medical
background check based on the applicant's personal information by
obtaining applicant medical history data from a database.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the applicant's personal information
comprises demographic data.
15. The method of claim 13, further comprising comparing the applicant's
personal information to pre-set criteria.
16. The method of claim 10, wherein the network is the Internet.
17. A system for applying for health insurance through a network,
the system comprising:a client device connected to a network for
communicating with a server connected to the network, the client
device comprising an input/output interface, processor, memory,
and network interface;the server comprising a processor, network
interface, and memory having a policy decision engine and a plurality
of questions related to an applicant's medical history, the policy
decision engine configured to provide the client device with a first
question related to a first area of an applicant's medical history
through the network;wherein the client device is configured to send
answers to the first question related to a first area of an applicant's
medical history to the server through the network; andwherein the
policy decision engine determines whether to provide a second question
related to a first area of an applicant's medical history based
at least in part on the answers to the first question related to
the applicant's medical history.
18. The system of claim 17 wherein the first question related to
a first area of an applicant's medical history is a set of questions.
19. The system of claim 17 wherein the second question related
to a first area of an applicant's medical history is a set of questions.
20. The system of claim 17 further comprising:a medical information
bureau server configured to communicate with the server through
the network;a medical information bureau database having data and
information related to the applicant's medical history and configured
to communicate with the medical information bureau server;wherein
the medical information bureau server receives data and information
related to the applicant's medical history from the medical information
bureau database and sends the data and information to the server;
andwherein the policy decision engine determines whether to offer
the applicant a health insurance policy based at least in part on
the data and information from the medical information bureau server.
21. The system of claim 17 further comprising:an internal replacement
server configured to communicate with the server through the network;an
internal replacement server database having data and information
related to the applicant's medical history and configured to communicate
with the internal replacement server;wherein the internal replacement
server receives data and information related to the applicant's
medical history from the internal replacement database and sends
the data and information to the server; andwherein the policy decision
engine determines whether to offer the applicant a health insurance
policy based at least in part on the data and information from the
internal replacement server.
22. The system of claim 21, wherein the data and information is
related to an applicant's medical history known by a particular
health insurance provider.
23. The system of claim 20, further comprising:the client device
configured to send the server an applicant's personal information
through the network; andthe server configured to receive the applicant's
personal information, transmit the applicant's personal information
to the medical information bureau server, and receive the applicant's
medical history data.
24. The system of claim 23, wherein the applicant's personal information
comprises demographic data.
25. The system of claim 23, wherein the policy decision engine
is configured to compare the applicant's personal information to
pre-set criteria.
26. The system of claim 17, wherein the policy decision engine
is a software application.
27. The system of claim 17, wherein the network is the Internet.
Insurance Description
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001]This application is claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/760,894, filed Jan. 20, 2006, which is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002]This invention relates to systems and methods for providing
health insurance coverage, and more specifically for quickly and
efficiently obtaining an applicant's medical information and determining
whether to offer, and the terms of, a long-term health insurance
policy.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003]Selling and underwriting health insurance often involves
obtaining information from an applicant and using that information
to determine a variety of components related to insurance polices.
For instance, the applicant information may be used to determine
the risk associated with the particular applicant, the terms and
type of policy the underwriter is willing to offer the applicant,
and the premium charged to the applicant. This process traditionally
requires an applicant to provide answers to a relatively large number
of questions about their health history and status. Normally, most
of the questions do not apply to a particular applicant and needlessly
increases the amount of time the applicant spends applying for a
policy. The majority of the questions are utilized to identify those
few applicants in whom the questions apply.
[0004]During traditional long-term health insurance applications,
generally a health insurance agent (or seller) assists the applicant
in filling out the questionnaire and sending the questionnaire to
an underwriter. Often, applicants request quotes from the agent
regarding the premium amount. Since the traditional application
contains a relatively large number of questions, the answers being
of varying importance to an underwriter for determining the policy
terms, an agent is generally not able to accurately provide a quote
to the applicant.
[0005]After the applicant, with agent assistance, sends the completed
application to an underwriter, current long-term health insurance
systems require several days to several weeks to determine whether
to offer coverage to the applicant and, if coverage is offered,
the terms of the policy. An underwriter reviews all the answers
to the questions and compares the results to various criteria parameters
that assist the underwriter in deciding whether to offer long-term
health coverage and the terms of the policy. Once the underwriter
decides to offer coverage, the terms are sent to the agent or applicant
for acceptance.
[0006]The applicant is often disadvantaged in several ways during
the traditional long-term health insurance process. For instance,
an applicant must wait several days or weeks to find out whether
the underwriter will offer them a long-term health insurance policy.
Furthermore, the applicant does not know the likely amount of the
policies since the agent is not able to provide an accurate estimate
of the premium due to the large number of questions that may be
weighted differently. In addition, a relatively healthy applicant
must be submitted to a needlessly intrusive process and spend more
time than is necessary to enable the relatively healthy applicant
to receive an offer for coverage. Therefore, a system and method
for providing long-term health insurance offers to applicants is
needed that is relatively easy to understand and that dynamically
tailors the application to a particular applicant in order to provide
the underwriters with sufficient health information, the agent with
the ability to provide a more accurate quote, and the applicant
with a relatively quick process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007]The present invention, therefore, provides a system that
quickly and efficiently supplies an applicant with application questions
that are dynamically tailored to a particular applicant, decides
whether to offer the applicant long term health insurance coverage
and terms of the offer, and equips an agent with information necessary
to provide a more accurate quote to the applicant. Various embodiments
of the present invention provide applicants with an appropriate
number of questions depending on the extensiveness and type of their
medical history and conditions and may provide an offer or notice
of no offer of long-term coverage within a few seconds to a few
hours.
[0008]In embodiments of the present invention, a relatively small
number of health questions are supplied to the applicant. The applicant
provides an answer to the first question and based upon the answer
may be automatically asked an additional question related to, but
more specific than, the first question or asked the next question
from a predetermined set of questions. If the applicant is asked
the additional question she may be asked another related, but more
specific, question or asked the next question in the original list.
This dynamic loop may occur as many times as necessary for the applicant
to provide sufficient information regarding her health history.
Therefore, under various embodiments of the present invention, a
relatively healthy applicant need only answer a relatively small
number of questions to complete the application, while even a relatively
unhealthy applicant would still be required to answer fewer questions
than with current applications.
[0009]Various embodiments of the present invention also provide
automatic approval of relatively healthy applicants that do not
raise any health issues through the application or in a medical
information background search. Alternatively, an underwriter may
review the tailored application and any medical information background
search results and quickly decide whether to offer insurance coverage
to the applicant.
[0010]In certain alternative embodiments of the present invention,
a relatively small number of health questions are provided to an
applicant. The questions are received by the underwriter and, based
on the answers, the underwriter may either present follow-up questions
or perform a medical background check on the applicant. If the results
of the background check fall within pre-set criteria, the applicant
may be approved for a policy within a relatively short amount of
time.
[0011]If the answers to the first set of questions require follow-up
questions, a second batch of questions, tailored based on the answers
to the first set of questions, may be presented to an applicant
to obtain concentrated information regarding possible health issues
affecting health insurance premiums. The underwriter receives answers
to the second batch of questions and determines whether additional
follow-up questions are necessary to provide a premium rate offer.
If no follow-up questions are necessary, a medical background check
is performed and, if the medical background check results are within
pre-set criteria, an offer for health insurance coverage is provided
to the applicant. If follow-up questions are necessary, the applicant
is again presented with additional questions that are narrowly tailored,
based on answers to previous questions, to the particular applicant's
medical history.
[0012]In some alternative embodiments, an underwriter reviews an
application and, based on the answers, contacts the applicant for
additional specific information. The applicant requiring a follow-up
however still spent less time completing the application of the
present invention than conventional applications since they likely
were not required to answer each question.
[0013]An advantage of certain aspects and embodiments of the present
invention is to provide a system and method for obtaining medical
history data in order to determine long-term medical insurance coverage
that is relatively less intrusive to applicants.
[0014]A further advantage of certain aspects and embodiments of
the present invention is to provide a system and method for obtaining
medical history data in order to determine long-term medical insurance
coverage that is relatively quick and easy to understand.
[0015]A still further advantage of certain aspects and embodiments
of the present invention is to provide an automated system and method
for determining long-term medical insurance coverage.
[0016]A still further advantage of certain aspects and embodiments
of the present invention is to provide a system and method for determining
long-term medical insurance coverage that equips the agent with
the ability to provide applicants with a more accurate estimate
of the costs and terms of the coverage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017]FIG. 1 schematically shows a flow diagram of receiving applicant
information and deciding whether to offer a long-term medical insurance
policy according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0018]FIG. 2 schematically shows a system for deciding whether
to offer a long-term medical insurance policy according to one embodiment
of the present invention.
[0019]FIG. 3 schematically shows a flow diagram for providing questions
that dynamically tailor to a particular applicant according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0020]FIGS. 4-6 are screenshots of questions related to personal
and qualifying information according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0021]FIG. 7 is a screenshot of medical history questions and answers
from a relatively healthy applicant according to one embodiment
of the present invention.
[0022]FIG. 8 is a screenshot of medical history questions and answers
with a second question related to one area of an applicant's medical
history according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0023]FIGS. 9-12 are screenshots of medical history questions with
additional questions provided based on an applicant's answers according
to one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024]Referring initially to FIG. 1, a flow diagram 100 illustrating
an exemplary sales and underwriting method for health insurance
coverage. In such method applicant information is received and a
decision is made as to whether to offer a long-term medical insurance
policy to the applicant. This method may be automated and the exchange
of information may occur electronically, such as via the Internet,
and the decision making may also be performed electronically, such
as by software running on computers. The method may be partially
automated in that some of the exchange of information occurs electronically
with some human intervention and decision making. The method may
also be performed manually with little or no electronic exchange
of information or electronic decision making. FIG. 2 shows an illustrative
system for carrying out the method 100.
[0025]Returning now to FIG. 1, at step 102, qualifying and personal
information is received from the applicant. Qualifying information
may include pre-screening information that is used to determine
if the applicant qualifies for health insurance coverage. Based
on the qualifying information, an applicant may be initially rejected,
such as if the applicant that has traveled to certain areas of the
world within the last six months or the applicant that is above
a certain age. Personal information may include name, contact information,
social security number, and other relevant information. Personal
and qualifying information may be received electronically such as
via the Internet, but may also be received through any type of communication
system, such as through a telecommunications network or a voice-recognition
system. Examples of qualifying and personal information requests
are shown in FIGS. 4-6.
[0026]In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the applicant
may be required to verify that the qualifying information is accurate.
An example of verifying qualifying information is shown in FIG.
4.
[0027]At step 104, a medical background check is performed. The
medical background check may involve obtaining the applicant's records
if any from a medical database, such as the Medical Information
Bureau and an Internal Replacement system (if the applicant has
previously been insured by the current underwriter).
[0028]At step 106, a medical history information session occurs.
The medical information session is the method by which information
is obtained from the applicant regarding the applicants past medical
history. For example, a predetermined set of initial questions regarding
the applicant's medical history may be posed to and answered by
the applicant. Based on the answers to these questions, additional
follow up questions may be posed an answered. FIG. 3 below provides
an illustrative medical history information session. In one embodiment,
the background check of step 104 and the medical history information
session 106 occur simultaneously.
[0029]At step 108, the results from the background check 104 and
the applicant medical history information session 106 are collected,
preferably electronically such as via a network server, and analyzed
to determine if, based on the contents of the information and results
from the search, the underwriter needs more information from the
applicant. The analysis to determine if more information is needed
108 may be performed automatically by a processor based device by
comparing the applicant medical history information session 106
and the results from the background check 104 with set criteria.
Alternatively, underwriter personnel may determine whether more
applicant information is needed by analyzing the data and comparing
with set criteria.
[0030]If it is determined that more information is needed, at step
110 the underwriter will contact the applicant to request more information.
The type of information requested may be additional details concerning
a past or current medical condition or procedure or additional details
concerning a result in the medical background check. Underwriter
personnel may contact the applicant through any suitable means,
such as via telephone. Alternatively, the applicant may be electronically
contacted such as via the Internet for more information requesting
the needed information.
[0031]If it is determined that no additional information is needed,
at step 112 the applicant medical history information and background
check results may be analyzed to determine whether the underwriter
offers long-term medical insurance coverage to the applicant. The
decision to offer coverage may be made by underwriter personnel
after reviewing the applicant medical information and background
check results and comparing to pre-set criteria. Alternatively,
a processor device automatically decides whether to offer coverage
by comparing the applicant medical information and background check
results to pre-set criteria.
[0032]If it is decided not to offer the applicant coverage, at
step 114 the applicant is notified via any suitable communication
means. Examples of possible communication means could include a
telecommunications system, electronic messaging, electronic mail,
or by contacting the agent associated with the applicant and instructing
the agent to communicate the rejection to the applicant.
[0033]If it is decided to offer the applicant long-term medical
insurance coverage, then the terms of the offer are determined at
step 116. The terms of the offer may include, for example, the period
of coverage, the amount of the premium, the payment schedule, the
exclusions of certain conditions or events, and any other subjects
related to long-term medical insurance policies. Once the terms
are decided, the applicant is offered the long-term medical insurance
coverage, including the terms of such coverage at step 118. The
offer may be communicated to the applicant via electronic communication.
Alternatively, the offer 118 may be communicated through a telecommunications
network or to the agent associated with the particular applicant
with the agent then communicating the offer to the applicant.
[0034]FIG. 2 shows an illustrative system 200 for performing a
sales and underwriting method for health insurance coverage, such
as method 100 discussed above. The system 200 may include a client
device 202 for the applicant to input data and information to and
from devices on a network 204. In one embodiment, the client device
202 is a processor-based device such as a personal computer and
having a processor 201 and a memory 203. The memory 203 may contain
application programs, such as a web browser, that can access a server
208 via the network 204. The network 204 may be any type of network
for communicating between two or more terminal devices. Examples
of such networks 204 may include a wide area network (WAN), a local
area network (LAN), or a metropolitan area network (MAN). In one
embodiment, the network 204 is the Internet.
[0035]The server 208 may also be a processor-based device, such
as a server, having a processor 205 and a memory 207 that can be
accessed via the network 204. The memory 207 may contain software
applications, such as a policy decision engine 206. The policy decision
engine 206 may be in communication with client device 202, a medical
information bureau server 210, and an internal replacement server
214 through the network 204. The policy decision engine 206 may
include, or be able to access, application questions or pre-set
criteria defining the premium rates and terms associated with various
combinations of applicant medical information.
[0036]The policy decision engine 206 is capable of gathering personal
information and medical history information from an applicant using
the client device 202. In gathering the medical history information
from an applicant, the policy decision engine 206 may present questions
to the client device 202 and receive answers to the questions from
the client device 202. Based on the answers, the policy decision
engine 206 may determine that follow-up questions are necessary
and present these to the client device 202. This process may continue
until the policy decision engine 206 receives enough information
from the client device 202 to decide whether to offer a long-term
health insurance policy. After the necessary questions are completed,
the applicant may preferably be required to verify the applicant's
responses to the medical questions or the personal information.
[0037]In another embodiment, the client device 202 is in communication
with another information gathering server (not shown). The information
gathering server may present questions received from the policy
decision engine 206 to the client device 202. For example, in one
embodiment the policy decision engine provides the information gathering
server with an XML file containing questions for the applicant.
[0038]The medical information bureau server 210 is preferably in
communication with a medical information bureau database 212 that
contains medical information on individuals that is pertinent to
valuing the risk of insuring those individuals. For example, the
medical information database 212 may contain, for an applicant X,
information concerning a surgical procedure that may affect applicant
X's long-term health. The medical information bureau server 210
preferably receives a request for information available in the medical
information database 212 on a particular applicant from policy decision
engine 206 through the network 204. The type of information necessary
for such a search may include an applicant's date of birth, social
security number, or other specifically identifiable information.
The policy decision engine 206 receives the applicant identification
information from the client device 202 via the network 204. After
receiving and validating the request for information, the medical
information bureau server 210 accesses the particular information
in the medical information database 212 and communicates the information
to the policy decision engine 206 via the network 204.
[0039]The policy decision engine 206 also communicates with the
internal replacement server 214 through the network 204. The internal
replacement server 214 is in communication with an internal replacement
database 216. The internal replacement database 216 includes medical
information on applicants that have previously been insured by a
particular underwriting company, such as the underwriting company
that is in control of the policy decision engine 206. The policy
decision engine 206 requests medical information specific to the
particular applicant identification information from the internal
replacement server 214. The internal replacement server 214 searches
the internal replacement database 216 for the medical history information
concerning the particular applicant associated with the identification
information. When the internal replacement server 214 finds such
medical history information, the internal replacement server 214
sends the results to the policy decision engine 206 through the
network 204.
[0040]The policy decision engine 206 receives the results from
the medical information bureau server 210, internal replacement
server 214, and the answers from the client device 202 and compares
the information to criteria and policy terms. Based on the comparison,
the policy decision engine 206 processor determines whether to offer
a long-term medical insurance policy to a particular applicant and,
if the decision is to offer a policy, the terms and premium amounts
to offer. While FIG. 2 has been described above as implementing
an automated process, other embodiments include manual aspects to
the process. For example, underwriter personnel may pose follow-up
questions to the applicant and make decisions affecting whether
to offer the applicant a health insurance policy and the terms of
the policy.
[0041]FIG. 3 shows an illustrative applicant medical history information
session 106 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 7-12 show screenshots of medical questions provided to an
applicant during a medical history information session according
certain embodiments of the present invention and are discussed in
conjunction with the applicant medical history information session
106 illustrated in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 3, question 1 is first
provided 302 to an applicant, preferably through a network to a
client device. For example, in FIG. 7, the first question to an
applicant is "within the last 5 years, has any proposed insured:
had surgery in a hospital or outpatient facility?" The applicant
medical history information session 106 next receives an answer
to question 1 304. The answer is preferably in the form of yes or
no. A determination is then made on whether the applicant's answer
indicates 306 a need for more questions specifically tailored to
obtain more information on the subject of the question 1 based on
the answer to question 1. If the answer to question 1 does indicate
more questions are needed, another question 1a 308 is provided.
For example, FIG. 9 the following is displayed if question 1 is
answered yes: "Are any of the surgeries not on the following
list or has there not been a full recovery of any of the following:
[0042]Vaginal Childbirth or
[0043]Sterilization or
[0044]Hysterectomy (without endometriosis) or
[0045]Gall Bladder removal or
[0046]Appendix removal or
[0047]Hernia repaid (not hiatal) or
[0048]Cosmetic Surgery?"
[0049]An answer is received to question 1a 310 and another determination
is made as to whether the applicant's answer indicates a need for
more questions 312 related to the first two questions already provided.
If there is still a need for more questions, any number of additional
questions may be provided 314 and answers received 316 until sufficient
information concerning subject matter of the original question 1
is received to assist in determining whether the offer a long-term
medical insurance policy.
[0050]If, at any time the applicant's answer does not indicate
more questions are needed 306, 312, or sufficient information concerning
the subject matter of question 1 is received, the applicant medical
history information session 106 provides question 2 318. For example
in FIG. 7, a question 2 is provided that asks, "Within the
last 5 years, has any proposed insured: had medical treatment in
a hospital or outpatient facility other than already disclosed?"
The applicant medical history information session 106 next receives
an answer to question 2 320 that is preferably a yes or no answer.
Based on the received answer to question 2 320, the applicant medical
history information session 106 determines whether the applicant's
answer indicates a need for more questions 322 concerning the subject
matter of question 2.
[0051]If there is a need for more questions, another question 2a
is provided 324 that relates to the subject matter in question 2.
For example, if question 2 in FIG. 9 is answered yes, another question
2a is provided that asks, "was any treatment something other
than normal vaginal childbirth?" An answer to question 2a is
received 326 and then analyzed to determine whether the answer indicates
a need for more questions 328. If, based on the answer, there is
a need for more questions, any number of additional questions is
provided 330 and answers are received 332 concerning the subject
matter of question 2. This process may continue until sufficient
information is received concerning question 2 to adequately determine
whether to offer a long-term medical insurance policy to the applicant.
If, at any time, there is no indication that more questions are
needed 322, 328, or there are no more questions concerning the subject
matter of question 2 left to answer, the applicant medical history
information session 106 provides a next question. The process above
is repeated for each question until all subject matter necessary
for determining whether to offer a long-term medical insurance policy
is received. As previously described, the answers to the questions
are provided to the policy decision server or to underwriter personnel
for analysis along with any medical information or internal search
results. The analysis can determine if a policy is offered to the
applicant and the terms of such an applicant.
[0052]Using the process above, a relatively healthy applicant that
can truthfully provide an answer to the pertinent questions that
do not require additional questioning can quickly and efficiently
complete the long-term medical insurance application. For example,
in one embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a relatively healthy applicant
may be required to only answer 17 questions if the answers to those
questions indicate that no further information is needed from the
applicant to determine whether to offer the applicant a health insurance
policy. Even an applicant that must answer more than the general
questions will still spend less time completing the application
than if the applicant filled out a conventional application. For
example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the applicant was required
to only answer 18 questions after the applicant's answer to question
11 indicated additional information was needed. In addition, FIGS.
9-12 illustrate that even a relatively unhealthy applicant is only
required to provide additional information in those areas where
the applicant's answers to the initial questions indicate a need
for additional information. For instance, in FIGS. 9-10, the applicant
answers indicated a need for follow-up or additional related questions
to question numbers 1, 2, 3, 9, 11, and 12. The Applicant was not
required to answer follow-up or additional related questions to
the other question numbers. Only one question required the applicant
to answer more than one follow-up or additional related question.
As illustrated in FIGS. 11-12, the applicant was asked a series
of questions related to urgent care or emergency room visits based
at least in part on the applicant's answer to question 3. Accordingly,
determining whether to offer a policy and the terms of an offered
policy may be made quickly and automatically utilizing various embodiments
of the analysis methods described above.
[0053]The foregoing description of the embodiments, including preferred
embodiments, of the invention has been presented only for the purpose
of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Numerous
modifications and adaptations thereof will be apparent to those
skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of
the this invention.
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