Service providing device, service providing method and computer program

Abstract

To realize more convenient proxy payment in which medical expenses are paid by a person other than the patient himself / herself. [Solution] A service providing device comprising: a memory unit that stores a correspondence between a patient receiving medical services and an agent who pays the medical expenses, which are the costs related to the provision of the medical services, on behalf of the patient; and a control unit that requests the agent to pay the medical expenses for the medical services provided to the patient.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a service providing device, a service providing method, and a computer program. [Background technology]

[0002] When paying medical expenses at a medical institution's counter, in-person payments are typically made by a family member or other attendant, rather than the patient (the beneficiary of medical services) themselves. On the other hand, online medical expense payment services, which have become common in recent years (see, for example, Patent Document 1), are premised on the patient making the payment themselves. Therefore, while an attendant can make a proxy payment in-person, this is not possible online, reducing convenience.

[0003] Furthermore, due to the rising rate of unmarried people and the social issue of aging, an increase in the number of single elderly people is predicted. This will lead to an increase in the use of nursing care services such as day care centers, which may lead to an increase in cases where third parties such as nursing care providers pay medical expenses on behalf of patients. Even in such cases, as mentioned above, proxy payments are difficult to make with online medical expense payment services. This problem does not only occur online; in-person payments may also lack sufficient convenience. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-93050 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and provides a technology that realizes proxy payment, in which medical expenses are paid by someone other than the patient himself / herself, with greater convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a service providing device that includes a memory unit that stores a patient receiving medical services and an agent who pays medical expenses, which are costs related to the provision of the medical services, in association with each other, and a control unit that requests the agent to settle medical expenses for the medical services provided to the patient.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned service providing device, wherein the control unit requests consent from the patient or the representative to be registered in association with each other, and in response to consent from the patient or the representative, the patient and the representative are associated with each other and registered in the memory unit.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned service providing device, wherein the control unit, when requesting the consent, requests consent for the provision of sensitive personal information to a proxy.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is a service provision method in which a computer having a memory unit that stores correspondence between a patient receiving medical services and an agent who pays medical expenses, which are costs related to the provision of the medical services, and a request step that requests the agent to settle medical expenses for the medical services provided to the patient.

[0010] One aspect of the present invention is a computer program for causing a computer to function as a service providing device that includes a memory unit that stores a correspondence between a patient receiving medical services and an agent who pays medical expenses, which are costs related to the provision of the medical services, on behalf of the patient, and a control unit that requests the agent to settle medical expenses for the medical services provided to the patient. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The present invention makes it possible to realize more convenient proxy payment, in which medical expenses are paid by someone other than the patient himself / herself. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the system configuration of a proxy payment system 100 of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of the patient terminal device 10. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of the agent terminal device 20. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of a medical institution system 30. FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of a service providing device 40. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a first operation example. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a first operation example. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the processing flow of a second operation example. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the processing flow of a second operation example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of pre-processing in the third operation example. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of pre-processing in the third operation example. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device 90 applied to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the system configuration of a proxy payment system 100 of the present invention. The proxy payment system 100 includes a patient terminal device 10, a proxy terminal device 20, a medical institution system 30, a service provider device 40, and a payment management system 50. The patient terminal device 10, the proxy terminal device 20, the medical institution system 30, the service provider device 40, and the payment management system 50 are communicatively connected via a network 70. The network 70 may be a network using wireless communication or a network using wired communication. The network 70 may be configured using, for example, the Internet or a local area network (LAN). The network 70 may be configured by combining multiple networks. Some devices may be connected to each other via a network to which other devices cannot be connected.

[0014] The proxy payment system 100 is a system used by a person (hereinafter referred to as a "proxy") other than the beneficiary of medical services (hereinafter referred to as a "patient") to settle the costs (medical expenses) for medical services received by the patient. The proxy may be a relative of the patient, or a third party other than the patient's relative. For example, a care provider that provides nursing care services such as day care services may act as the proxy.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of the patient terminal device 10. The patient terminal device 10 is a terminal device used by the patient. However, the patient terminal device 10 may also be operated by another person who can operate it on behalf of the patient, such as a relative of the patient. In this case, however, it is desirable that the patient terminal device 10 be operated by a person other than the proxy. For example, the patient terminal device 10 may be operated by another person in response to oral instructions from the patient or instructions given through another device. The patient terminal device 10 may also be operated by someone who lives with the patient, someone who supports the patient, or someone who pays the patient's living expenses. In the following explanation, these other people will be referred to as the "patient."

[0016] The patient terminal device 10 is configured using information devices such as a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, dedicated device, etc. The patient terminal device 10 includes a communication unit 11, an input unit 12, an output unit 13, a storage unit 14, and a control unit 15.

[0017] The communication unit 11 is a communication device. The communication unit 11 may be configured as, for example, a network interface. The communication unit 11 communicates data with other devices via the network 70 in accordance with the control of the control unit 15. The communication unit 11 may be a device that performs wireless communication or a device that performs wired communication.

[0018] The input unit 12 is configured using existing input devices such as a keyboard, a pointing device (mouse, tablet, etc.), buttons, a touch panel, etc. The input unit 12 is operated by the patient when inputting the patient's instructions to the patient terminal device 10. The input unit 12 may be an interface for connecting the input device to the patient terminal device 10. In this case, the input unit 12 inputs an input signal generated in the input device in response to the patient's input to the patient terminal device 10. The input unit 12 may be configured using a microphone and a voice recognition device. In this case, the input unit 12 acquires an acoustic signal generated by the patient's speech, performs voice recognition on the words spoken by the patient, and inputs character string information of the recognition result to the patient terminal device 10. The voice recognition process may be executed by the control unit 15. The input unit 12 may be configured in any way as long as it is configured to be able to input the patient's instructions to the patient terminal device 10.

[0019] The output unit 13 outputs information in a form that can be recognized by the patient. The output unit 13 may be, for example, an image display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The output unit 13 may be an interface for connecting the image display device to the patient terminal device 10. In this case, the output unit 13 generates a video signal for displaying image data and outputs the video signal to the image display device connected to the output unit 13. The output unit 13 may be a device for outputting sound, such as a speaker. The output unit 13 may be an interface for connecting an audio output device, such as a speaker or headphones, to the patient terminal device 10. In this case, the output unit 13 generates an audio signal for reproducing audio data and outputs the audio signal to the audio output device connected to the output unit 13. The output unit 13 may be configured as a touch panel integrated with the input unit 12.

[0020] The memory unit 14 is configured using a memory device such as a magnetic hard disk drive or a semiconductor memory device. The memory unit 14 stores data used by the control unit 15. The memory unit 14 stores data required when the control unit 15 performs processing. The memory unit 14 stores, for example, information about the patient who is the user of the device. The memory unit 14 may store, for example, identification information indicating the patient. Specific examples of such patient identification information include the patient's name, the patient's health insurance card number, information about the patient's My Number, identification information (for example, a patient card number) issued by the medical institution where the patient receives medical services, identification information issued by the proxy payment system 100, etc.

[0021] The control unit 15 is configured using a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory (main storage device). The control unit 15 functions when the processor executes a program. Note that all or part of the functions of the control unit 15 may be realized using hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor storage devices (e.g., SSDs: Solid State Drives), as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor storage devices built into computer systems. The program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0022] The control unit 15 may execute, for example, an application installed on its own device (the patient terminal device 10). A specific example of such an application is an application provided to the patient terminal device 10 as a dedicated application for the proxy payment system 100. Another specific example of such an application is a web browser application. Such an application may be pre-installed on the patient terminal device 10, or may be downloaded each time the proxy payment system 100 is used. For example, when implemented as a web browser application, the patient terminal device 10 may download and execute the application from a device specified by a specific web server (for example, the web server itself or another server) in response to the patient terminal device 10 connecting to the web server. The control unit 15 operates according to the program of the application being executed.

[0023] The control unit 15 controls the patient terminal device 10 in response to operations by the patient or information received from other devices (e.g., the service providing device 40). For example, the control unit 15 transmits information input by the patient operating the input unit 12 to the service providing device 40 by using the communication unit 11. For example, when information transmitted from the service providing device 40 is received by the communication unit 11 via the network 70, the control unit 15 generates screen data based on the received information and causes the output unit 13 to display the screen data. Such screen data includes images and text indicating the information transmitted from the service providing device 40. For example, when information transmitted from the service providing device 40 is received by the communication unit 11 via the network 70, the control unit 15 generates audio data based on the received information and causes the output unit 13 to output the audio data.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of the agent terminal device 20. The agent terminal device 20 is a terminal device used by the agent. However, if the agent is a corporation, the agent may be an employee of the corporation. The agent terminal device 20 is configured using information devices such as a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, or dedicated device. The agent terminal device 20 includes a communication unit 21, an input unit 22, an output unit 23, a memory unit 24, and a control unit 25.

[0025] The communication unit 21 is a communication device. The communication unit 21 may be configured as, for example, a network interface. The communication unit 21 communicates data with other devices via the network 70 in accordance with the control of the control unit 25. The communication unit 21 may be a device that performs wireless communication or a device that performs wired communication.

[0026] The input unit 22 is configured using existing input devices such as a keyboard, a pointing device (mouse, tablet, etc.), buttons, a touch panel, etc. The input unit 22 is operated by the agent when inputting the agent's instructions into the agent terminal device 20. The input unit 22 may be an interface for connecting the input device to the agent terminal device 20. In this case, the input unit 22 inputs an input signal generated in the input device in response to the agent's input to the agent terminal device 20. The input unit 22 may be configured using a microphone and a voice recognition device. In this case, the input unit 22 acquires an acoustic signal generated by the agent's speech, performs voice recognition on the words spoken by the agent, and inputs character string information of the recognition result into the agent terminal device 20. The voice recognition process may be executed by the control unit 25. The input unit 22 may be configured in any way as long as it is configured to be able to input the agent's instructions into the agent terminal device 20.

[0027] The output unit 23 outputs information in a form that can be recognized by the agent. The output unit 23 may be, for example, an image display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The output unit 23 may be an interface for connecting an image display device to the agent terminal device 20. In this case, the output unit 23 generates a video signal for displaying image data and outputs the video signal to the image display device connected to the output unit 20. The output unit 23 may be a device for outputting sound, such as a speaker. The output unit 23 may be an interface for connecting an audio output device, such as a speaker or headphones, to the agent terminal device 20. In this case, the output unit 23 generates an audio signal for playing audio data and outputs the audio signal to the audio output device connected to the output unit 20. The output unit 23 may be configured as a touch panel integrated with the input unit 22.

[0028] The storage unit 24 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk drive or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 24 stores data used by the control unit 25. The storage unit 24 stores data required when the control unit 25 performs processing. The storage unit 24 stores, for example, information about the proxy who is the user of the device. The storage unit 24 may store, for example, identification information indicating the proxy. Specific examples of such identification information of the proxy include the name of the proxy, information about the proxy's My Number, identification information issued to indicate the proxy by the medical institution where the patient being represented receives medical services, identification information issued by the proxy payment system 100, etc.

[0029] The control unit 25 is configured using a processor such as a CPU and a memory (main storage device). The control unit 25 functions when the processor executes a program. All or part of the functions of the control unit 25 may be realized using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor storage devices (e.g., SSDs), as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor storage devices built into computer systems. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0030] The control unit 25 may execute, for example, an application installed on its own device (the agent terminal device 20). A specific example of such an application is an application provided to the agent terminal device 20 as a dedicated application for the proxy payment system 100. Another specific example of such an application is a web browser application. Such an application may be pre-installed on the agent terminal device 20, or may be downloaded each time the proxy payment system 100 is used. For example, when implemented as a web browser application, the agent terminal device 20 may download and execute the application from a device specified by the web server (for example, the web server itself or another server) in response to the proxy terminal device 20 connecting to the web server. The control unit 25 operates according to the program of the application being executed.

[0031] The control unit 25 controls the agent terminal device 20 in response to the operation of the agent or information received from another device (e.g., the service providing device 40). For example, the control unit 25 transmits information input by the agent operating the input unit 22 to the service providing device 40 by using the communication unit 21. For example, when the communication unit 21 receives information transmitted from the service providing device 40 via the network 70, the control unit 25 generates screen data based on the received information and causes the output unit 23 to display the screen data. Such screen data includes images and text indicating the information transmitted from the service providing device 40. For example, when the communication unit 21 receives information transmitted from the service providing device 40 via the network 70, the control unit 25 generates audio data based on the received information and causes the output unit 23 to output the audio data.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of the medical institution system 30. The medical institution system 30 is an information processing system used in a medical institution that provides medical services to patients. The medical institution system 30 manages, for example, patient information and information related to medical services provided to patients. The medical institution system 30 calculates the cost of medical services provided to patients and bills for the costs. In the example of FIG. 4, the medical institution system 30 is configured as a system including a medical institution terminal 31 and a medical institution server 32. Note that the medical institution system 30 shown in FIG. 4 is merely one specific example and may be configured in other ways.

[0033] The medical institution terminal 31 is a terminal device used by personnel of a medical institution (hereinafter referred to as "medical personnel"). Medical personnel may include, for example, medical professionals such as doctors and nurses, or may include personnel who handle administrative procedures such as billing. The medical institution terminal 31 is configured using information devices such as smartphones, tablets, personal computers, and dedicated devices. The medical institution terminal 31 includes a communication unit 311, an input unit 312, an output unit 313, a memory unit 314, and a control unit 315.

[0034] The communication unit 311 is a communication device. The communication unit 311 may be configured as, for example, a network interface. The communication unit 311 performs data communication with other devices via the network 70 in accordance with the control of the control unit 315. The communication unit 311 communicates with, for example, the medical institution server 32 included in the same medical institution system 30. The communication unit 311 may be a device that performs wireless communication or a device that performs wired communication.

[0035] The input unit 312 is configured using existing input devices such as a keyboard, a pointing device (mouse, tablet, etc.), buttons, a touch panel, etc. The input unit 312 is operated by the medical professional when inputting instructions from the medical professional to the medical institution terminal 31. The input unit 312 may be an interface for connecting the input device to the medical institution terminal 31. In this case, the input unit 312 inputs an input signal generated by the input device in response to the input from the medical professional to the medical institution terminal 31. The input unit 312 may be configured using a microphone and a voice recognition device. In this case, the input unit 312 acquires an acoustic signal generated by the speech of the medical professional, performs voice recognition on the words spoken by the medical professional, and inputs character string information of the recognition result to the medical institution terminal 31. The voice recognition process may be executed by the control unit 315. The input unit 312 may be configured in any way as long as it is capable of inputting instructions from the medical professional to the medical institution terminal 31.

[0036] The output unit 313 outputs information in a form recognizable by medical personnel. The output unit 313 may be an image display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The output unit 313 may be an interface for connecting an image display device to the medical institution terminal 31. In this case, the output unit 313 generates a video signal for displaying image data and outputs the video signal to the image display device connected to the output unit 313. The output unit 313 may be a device for outputting sound, such as a speaker. The output unit 313 may be an interface for connecting an audio output device, such as a speaker or headphones, to the medical institution terminal 31. In this case, the output unit 313 generates an audio signal for reproducing audio data and outputs the audio signal to the audio output device connected to the output unit 313. The output unit 313 may be configured as a touch panel integrated with the input unit 312.

[0037] The storage unit 314 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk drive or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 314 stores data used by the control unit 315. The storage unit 314 stores data required when the control unit 315 performs processing.

[0038] The control unit 315 is configured using a processor such as a CPU and a memory (main storage device). The control unit 315 functions when the processor executes a program. All or part of the functions of the control unit 315 may be realized using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor storage devices (e.g., SSDs), as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor storage devices built into computer systems. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0039] The control unit 315 may execute, for example, an application installed on its own device (medical institution terminal 31). A specific example of such an application is an application provided to the medical institution terminal 31 as a dedicated application for the medical institution system 30. Another specific example of such an application is a web browser application. Such an application may be pre-installed on the medical institution terminal 31, or may be downloaded each time the medical institution system 30 is used. For example, when implemented as a web browser application, the medical institution terminal 31 may download and execute the application from a device (for example, the web server itself or another server) designated by a specific web server in response to the medical institution terminal 31 connecting to the web server. The control unit 315 operates according to the program of the application being executed.

[0040] The control unit 315 controls the medical institution terminal 31 in response to operations by the medical professional or information received from other devices (e.g., the medical institution server 32). For example, the control unit 315 transmits information input by the medical professional operating the input unit 312 to the medical institution server 32 by using the communication unit 311. For example, when the communication unit 311 receives information transmitted from the medical institution server 32, the control unit 315 generates screen data based on the received information and causes the output unit 313 to display the screen data. Such screen data includes images and text indicating the information transmitted from the medical institution server 32. For example, when the communication unit 311 receives information transmitted from the medical institution server 32, the control unit 315 generates audio data based on the received information and causes the output unit 313 to output the audio data.

[0041] The medical institution server 32 is configured using information devices such as a personal computer, a server device, a dedicated device, etc. The medical institution server 32 includes a communication unit 321, a storage unit 322, and a control unit 323.

[0042] The communication unit 321 is a communication device. The communication unit 321 may be configured as, for example, a network interface. The communication unit 321 performs data communication with other devices via the network 70 in accordance with the control of the control unit 323. The communication unit 321 also communicates with the medical institution terminal 31 included in the same medical institution system 30. The communication unit 321 may be a device that performs wireless communication or a device that performs wired communication.

[0043] The storage unit 322 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk drive or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 322 stores data used by the control unit 323. The storage unit 322 stores data required when the control unit 323 performs processing.

[0044] The control unit 323 is configured using a processor such as a CPU and a memory (main storage device). The control unit 323 functions when the processor executes a program. All or part of the functions of the control unit 323 may be realized using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor storage devices (e.g., SSDs), as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor storage devices built into computer systems. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0045] The control unit 323 may execute, for example, an application installed on its own device (medical institution server 32). A specific example of such an application is an application provided to the medical institution server 32 as a dedicated application for the medical institution system 30. The control unit 323 operates according to the program of the application being executed.

[0046] The control unit 323 controls the medical institution server 32 in response to operations by medical personnel or information received from other devices (e.g., the medical institution terminal 31). For example, when the communication unit 321 receives information transmitted from the medical institution terminal 31, the control unit 323 executes predetermined processing based on the received information. For example, the control unit 323 transmits information generated by the processing of the control unit 323 to the medical institution terminal 31 by using the communication unit 321.

[0047] 5 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of the service providing device 40. The service providing device 40 is configured using an information processing device such as a personal computer or a server device. The service providing device 40 includes a communication unit 41, a storage unit 42, and a control unit 43.

[0048] The communication unit 41 is a communication device. The communication unit 41 may be configured as, for example, a network interface. The communication unit 41 communicates data with other devices via the network 70 in accordance with the control of the control unit 43. The communication unit 41 may be a device that performs wireless communication or a device that performs wired communication.

[0049] The storage unit 42 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk drive, a semiconductor storage device, etc. The storage unit 42 stores data used by the control unit 43.

[0050] The control unit 43 is configured using a processor such as a CPU and a memory. The control unit 43 functions when the processor executes a program. All or part of the functions of the control unit 43 may be realized using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor storage devices (e.g., SSDs), as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor storage devices built into computer systems. The program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0051] The payment management system 50 is configured using information processing devices such as personal computers, server devices, etc. The payment management system 50 performs processing related to payments.

[0052] There are at least three modes of operation of the proxy payment system 100. These three modes of operation (referred to as a first operation example, a second operation example, and a third operation example, respectively) will be described in detail below.

[0053] 6 and 7 are diagrams showing the processing flow of the first operation example. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the processing flow related to pre-processing included in the first operation example. In the first operation example, an application provided by the proxy payment system 100 runs at least in the patient terminal device 10. The pre-processing is processing that is preferably performed before the patient actually receives medical services at a medical institution, and involves processing to register the patient and proxy in the service providing device 40. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the processing flow related to actual processing included in the first operation example. The actual processing involves processing from the patient receiving medical services to the proxy making payment.

[0054] First, the pre-processing in the first operation example will be described with reference to Fig. 6. First, the patient communicates with the proxy to obtain consent from the proxy to have the proxy settle the costs of the medical services the patient (the patient) receives (steps S101 and S102).

[0055] Next, the patient operates the patient terminal device 10 to perform a process of registering the patient (patient) and the proxy in the proxy payment system 100 by associating (linking) them (the patient) with the proxy (step S103). For example, a dedicated application provided by the proxy payment system 100 may be downloaded and installed on the patient terminal device 10, and necessary information (e.g., the names and identification information of the patient and proxy, and the payment method used by the proxy) may be registered. Any payment method available online may be applied, such as credit card payment, online bank payment, carrier payment (payment made by a mobile communication carrier together with communication charges), ID payment (checkout service), electronic money (prepaid, postpaid) payment, deferred payment, etc.

[0056] It is desirable that the payment method to be registered is the one designated by the consenting proxy. When this registration is performed, the patient terminal device 10 or the service providing device 40 may output to the patient a message confirming that consent has been obtained from the proxy, and an output prompting the patient to input an indication that such confirmation has been obtained. The patient terminal device 10 transmits the information entered as the registration target to the service providing device 40.

[0057] When the control unit 43 of the service providing device 40 receives the information transmitted from the patient terminal device 10, it records the received information as provisional registration information in the storage unit 42 (step S104). As the provisional registration information, for example, information about the patient and proxy payment information may be recorded. The information about the patient may include the patient's name and identification information. The proxy payment information may include the proxy's name, identification information, and payment method.

[0058] When the provisional registration process is completed, the control unit 43 of the service providing device 40 confirms the content of the provisional registration information and confirms consent from the proxy (hereinafter referred to as "provisional registration confirmation") (step S105). The consent to be confirmed includes consent to the patient's special care-required personal information being provided to the proxy. Therefore, the confirmation information transmitted to the proxy during confirmation includes text, images, or audio indicating that consent to the patient's special care-required personal information being provided to the proxy. This confirmation may be performed by transmitting confirmation information data to the proxy terminal device 20. In this case, the provisional registration information needs to include destination information to be used when transmitting data to the proxy terminal device 20. For example, the telephone number set in the proxy terminal device 20 may be used as the destination information. In this case, the control unit 43 of the service providing device 40 may call the telephone number, which is the destination information, and perform provisional registration confirmation in response to an automated voice output or push button input. The control unit 43 of the service providing device 40 may also perform provisional registration confirmation by sending a short message to the telephone number, which is the destination information, and directing the user to a specific website for provisional registration confirmation.

[0059] For example, an email address set in the agent terminal device 20 may be used as the destination information. In this case, the control unit 43 of the service providing device 40 may send an email containing confirmation items to the email address that is the destination information. The control unit 43 may confirm consent in response to a reply to the email sent to a specific email address, or in response to the agent accessing a specific website listed in the email, or may confirm provisional registration by directing the agent to a specific website for provisional registration confirmation.

[0060] When the provisional registration confirmation is completed, the control unit 43 performs a formal registration process (step S106). For example, the control unit 43 may update the provisional registration information registered in the storage unit 42 as formal registration information. Furthermore, the control unit 43 transmits information indicating that the formal registration process is completed to the patient and the representative (steps S107 and S108). The control unit 43 notifies the representative of the completion of the formal registration process by using the representative's address information. The notification of the completion of the formal registration process to the patient may be sent to, for example, an application running on the patient terminal device 10, or may be sent to a telephone number or email address registered as the patient's address information.

[0061] Next, the actual processing in the first operation example will be described with reference to FIG. 7. First, a patient checks in at a medical institution that provides medical services (steps S201 and S202). The medical services may be provided, for example, by the patient visiting the medical institution, online via a network, or via telephone or videophone. The check-in is performed in a manner appropriate to the type of medical service. For example, if the patient visits the medical institution, the check-in may be performed by verbally informing the receptionist at the medical institution that the patient is visiting and handing over the patient's patient card. Alternatively, if a dedicated reception terminal is installed, the check-in may be performed by operating the dedicated terminal. For example, if the medical service is provided online via a network, the check-in may be performed by accessing a specific website and entering the patient's identification information. If the medical service is provided via telephone or videophone, the check-in may be performed over the phone.

[0062] Next, check-in registration is performed (step S203). Check-in registration in the first operation example is a process in which predetermined information is transmitted from the patient terminal device 10 to the service providing device 40. In check-in registration, the fact that the patient is in a state to receive medical services is registered in an application provided by the proxy payment system 100. In check-in registration, for example, information indicating the medical institution from which the patient will receive medical services may be registered in the application. Such registration may be performed, for example, by the patient selecting from information (options) indicating multiple medical institutions pre-registered in the application, by inputting the name, address, etc. of the medical institution, or by using the patient terminal device 10 to read a two-dimensional barcode displayed at the medical institution's premises.

[0063] In response to check-in registration performed in the patient terminal device 10, patient information and medical institution information are associated and transmitted to the service providing device 40. The transmitted patient information may include, for example, the patient's name, address, and patient identification information (e.g., patient card number). The medical institution information includes information that can uniquely identify the medical institution. The service providing device 40 associates the patient information with the medical institution information and registers them in the storage unit 42 (step S204). Through this registration, the patient seeking medical service and the medical institution that provides the medical service are registered in association with each other in the service providing device 40.

[0064] In the check-in registration, patient information may be transmitted to the medical institution system 30 of the medical institution that provides medical services. For example, a patient registration card number may be transmitted to the medical institution system 30. Based on the patient information transmitted in the check-in registration, the medical institution system 30 may update predetermined information such as an electronic medical record and process payments. In response to reception and check-in registration, the medical institution system 30 provides medical services (e.g., medical treatment) to the patient (step S205).

[0065] Thereafter, the amount of the billed fee to be paid to the patient is calculated according to the content of the medical service provided, etc. For example, the content of the medical service provided and identification information identifying the patient may be input to the medical institution system 30, whereby the amount of the billed fee may be calculated in the medical institution system 30. The medical institution system 30 transmits billing information including identification information identifying the patient to whom the medical service was provided, the calculated billed fee, and information identifying the medical institution to the service providing device 40 (step S206).

[0066] When the service providing device 40 receives billing information from the medical institution system 30, it determines whether check-in registration for the combination of the patient and medical institution corresponding to the billing information has been performed within a predetermined time. If such check-in registration has not been performed within the predetermined time, it transmits error information to the medical institution system 30, indicating that at least the proxy payment service of the proxy payment system 100 cannot be provided. On the other hand, if such check-in registration has been performed within the predetermined time, it requests the proxy registered in association with the patient identification information included in the received billing information to pay the fee corresponding to the received billing information (step S207). For example, if payment-enabling information for the proxy has already been registered in the service providing device 40, payment by the proxy may be performed according to a predetermined payment protocol using the registered information. During the predetermined payment protocol, the amount, patient identification information (e.g., the patient's name), the name of the medical institution, etc. may be presented to the proxy to confirm whether payment is acceptable.

[0067] When the payment is completed, the service providing device 40 notifies the patient and the proxy of the payment details (step S208). For example, payment information and medical statement information may be sent to the patient. This sending may be performed, for example, to an application running on the patient terminal device 10, or by email that can be received by the patient terminal device 10. Payment information and receipt information may be sent to the proxy. This sending may be performed, for example, to an application running on the proxy terminal device 20, or by email that can be received by the proxy terminal device 20. The notification of the payment details described above may be sent only to the destination selected by the following process. If a proxy payer has been registered and consent has been obtained for the proxy payer, notification is sent to each notification destination as described above. On the other hand, if a proxy payer has not been registered or consent has not been obtained for the proxy payer, notification is sent only to the patient himself / herself.

[0068] 8 and 9 are diagrams showing the processing flow of the second operation example. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the processing flow related to pre-processing among the processing included in the second operation example. In the second operation example, an application provided by the proxy payment system 100 runs at least in the proxy terminal device 20. In the pre-processing, which is processing that is preferably performed before the patient actually receives medical services at the medical institution, processing is performed to register the patient and proxy in the service providing device 40. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the processing flow related to actual processing among the processing included in the second operation example. In the actual processing, processing is performed from the time the patient receives medical services until the proxy makes payment. The second operation example will be described below using FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. However, duplicate explanations of matters common to the first operation example will be avoided.

[0069] First, the pre-processing in the second operation example will be described with reference to Fig. 8. First, the proxy communicates with the patient to obtain consent from the patient that the proxy will settle the costs of the medical services the patient receives (steps S111 and S112).

[0070] Next, the agent operates the agent terminal device 20 to perform a process of registering the patient and the agent (agent) in association with each other in the agent payment system 100 (step S113). For example, a dedicated application provided by the agent payment system 100 may be downloaded and installed on the agent terminal device 20, and the necessary information (e.g., the names and identification information of the patient and agent, and the payment method used by the agent) may be registered.

[0071] It is desirable that the payment method to be registered is the one designated by the proxy. When this registration is performed, the proxy terminal device 20 or the service providing device 40 may output to the proxy a message confirming that the patient's consent has been obtained and an output prompting the proxy to input an indication that the confirmation has been obtained. The proxy terminal device 20 transmits the information entered as the registration target to the service providing device 40.

[0072] When the control unit 43 of the service providing device 40 receives the information transmitted from the proxy terminal device 20, the control unit 43 records the received information as provisional registration information in the storage unit 42 (step S114). As the provisional registration information, for example, information about the patient himself / herself and proxy payment information may be recorded.

[0073] When the provisional registration process is completed, the control unit 43 of the service providing device 40 confirms the contents of the provisional registration information and confirms consent (provisional registration confirmation) with the patient (step S115). The consent to be confirmed includes consent to the patient's special care-required personal information being provided to the proxy. Therefore, the confirmation information sent to the patient when confirmation is performed includes a character string, image, or sound indicating that consent to the patient's special care-required personal information being provided to the proxy. This confirmation may be performed by sending confirmation information data to the patient terminal device 10. In this case, the provisional registration information needs to include destination information to be used when sending data to the patient terminal device 10. For example, the telephone number set in the patient terminal device 10 may be used as the destination information.

[0074] For example, the destination information may be an email address set in the patient terminal device 10. The control unit 43 may confirm consent in response to a reply email to a specific email address, or in response to the patient accessing a specific website listed in the email, or may confirm provisional registration by directing the patient to a specific website for provisional registration confirmation.

[0075] When the provisional registration confirmation is completed, the control unit 43 performs the main registration process (step S116). The process from steps S116 to S118 is the same as the process from steps S106 to S108 in the first operation example, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0076] Next, the actual processing in the second operation example will be described with reference to FIG. 9 . The actual processing in the second operation example differs from the actual processing in the first operation example only in the processing of step S213. The check-in registration processing in step S213 was performed in the patient terminal device 10 in the first operation example, but is performed in the proxy terminal device 20 in the second operation example. The check-in registration in the second operation example is processing in which predetermined information is transmitted from the proxy terminal device 20 to the service provider device 40. In the check-in registration, a registration is made in an application provided by the proxy payment system 100 that the patient is ready to receive medical services. In the check-in registration, for example, the proxy may register information indicating the medical institution where the proxy will receive medical services in the application. Such registration may be performed, for example, by the proxy selecting from information (options) indicating multiple medical institutions pre-registered in the application, by entering the name, address, etc. of the medical institution, or by reading a two-dimensional barcode displayed at the medical institution with the proxy terminal device 20. In the check-in registration, the proxy also enters information indicating the patient who will receive medical services into the proxy terminal device 20.

[0077] In response to check-in registration performed on the agent terminal device 20, patient information and medical institution information are associated and transmitted to the service providing device 40. The transmitted patient information may include, for example, the patient's name, address, and patient identification information (e.g., patient card number). The medical institution information includes information that can uniquely identify the medical institution.

[0078] 10 and 11 are diagrams showing the flow of pre-processing in the third operation example. In the third operation example, the flow of the actual processing is the same as in Fig. 7. Therefore, illustration and description of the actual processing in the third operation example will be omitted.

[0079] In the third operation example, an application provided by the proxy payment system 100 runs at least on the patient terminal device 10 and the proxy terminal device 20. In the pre-processing, which is preferably performed before the patient actually receives medical services at a medical institution, a process is performed to register the patient and proxy in the service providing device 40. The pre-processing of the third operation example will be explained below using Figures 10 and 11. However, duplicate explanations of matters common to the first or second operation example will be avoided.

[0080] The pre-processing in the third operation example will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. First, the patient communicates with the proxy to obtain consent from the proxy to have the proxy settle the costs of the medical services the patient receives (steps S121 and S122).

[0081] Next, the patient operates the patient terminal device 10 to register his / her (the patient's) information (e.g., name, address, medical institution to be used, patient card number, destination information, etc.) in the proxy payment system 100 (step S123). The proxy operates the proxy terminal device 20 to register his / her (the proxy's) information (e.g., name, address, payment method, destination information, etc.) in the proxy payment system 100 (step S124). This registration may be performed by downloading and installing a dedicated application provided by the proxy payment system 100 into the patient terminal device 10 or the proxy terminal device 20, and inputting each piece of information. The information input for registration at each terminal is transmitted from each terminal to the service providing device 40. The service providing device 40 registers the received information (patient information and proxy information) in the storage unit 42 (step S125). The service providing device 40 notifies each transmission source terminal (the patient terminal device 10 and the proxy terminal device 20) that registration is complete (step S127). Such notification may be made via an application running on each terminal, or may be made using other notification means such as email.

[0082] Next, the patient operates the patient terminal device 10 to make a proxy linking application (step S301). The proxy linking application associates the patient with the proxy who will pay for the medical services the patient receives. For example, the patient operates the patient terminal device 10 to input information indicating the proxy. The information indicating the proxy may be, for example, the proxy's name, identification information assigned to the proxy in the proxy payment system 100, or other information. The patient terminal device 10 transmits to the service providing device 40 a linking application including information indicating the patient who is the operator of its own device (patient terminal device 10) and information indicating the proxy who has been input as the linking target.

[0083] When the service providing device 40 receives the linking application, it associates information identifying the patient and information identifying the proxy included in the received linking application and provisionally registers them in the storage unit 42 (step S302). When the provisional registration of the linking application is completed, the control unit 43 of the service providing device 40 asks the proxy to confirm the contents of the provisional registration and confirm consent (provisional registration confirmation) (step S303). The consent to be confirmed includes consent to make proxy payments for the expenses of the patient for whom the provisional linking registration has been made and consent to the patient's special care-required personal information being provided to the proxy. Therefore, the confirmation information sent to the proxy when confirmation is made includes text, images, or audio indicating that consent to make proxy payments for the expenses of the patient for whom the provisional linking registration has been made and consent to the patient's special care-required personal information being provided to the proxy is requested. This confirmation may be performed by transmitting confirmation information data to the proxy terminal device 20.

[0084] When consent is obtained from the proxy, the control unit 43 performs a formal registration process (step S304). For example, the control unit 43 may update the association information provisionally registered in the storage unit 42 as formal registration information. Furthermore, the control unit 43 transmits information indicating that the formal registration process has been completed to the patient and the proxy (steps S305 and S306). The notification of the completion of the formal registration process to the patient terminal device 10 may be sent, for example, to an application running on the patient terminal device 10, or may be sent to a telephone number or email address registered as the patient's destination information. The notification of the completion of the formal registration process to the proxy terminal device 20 may be sent, for example, to an application running on the proxy terminal device 20, or may be sent to a telephone number or email address registered as the proxy's destination information.

[0085] The proxy payment system 100 configured in this manner makes it possible to realize proxy payment, in which a person (proxy) other than the patient pays medical expenses, with greater convenience. Specifically, the proxy payment system 100 allows the patient and proxy to be explicitly registered. This makes it easier to realize proxy payment by the proxy. Furthermore, in the proxy payment system 100, consent is explicitly obtained between the patient and proxy using their respective terminal devices. This facilitates the confirmation of mutual consent and agreement. In particular, explicit consent is obtained for the proxy to acquire sensitive personal information. This facilitates the handling of sensitive personal information. More specifically, the proxy payment system 100 allows consent to the provision of sensitive personal information by the patient to the proxy, making it possible to smoothly transmit the sensitive personal information of the patient to the proxy. In this system, since the proxy is the one making the payment, payment information and receipt information must be transmitted to the proxy. For example, if the proxy pays using their own credit card, the proxy must be notified of the card payment amount, etc. As a result, information that can be used to infer that the patient has visited a medical institution will be sent to the proxy, and there is a possibility that sensitive personal information may be treated as if it had been sent to the proxy. Therefore, obtaining consent in advance as described above will enable smooth processing.

[0086] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device 90 applied to this embodiment. The information processing device 90 includes a processor 91, a main memory device 92, a communication interface 93, an auxiliary memory device 94, an input / output interface 95, and an internal bus 96. The processor 91, the main memory device 92, the communication interface 93, the auxiliary memory device 94, and the input / output interface 95 are communicably connected to each other via the internal bus 96. The information processing device 90 may be applied to, for example, a patient terminal device 10, a representative terminal device 20, a medical institution terminal 31, a medical institution server 32, or a service providing device 40. In this case, for example, the communication units 11, 21, 311, 321, and 41 may be configured using the communication interface 93. For example, the memory units 14, 24, 314, 322, and 42 may be configured using the auxiliary memory device 94. Furthermore, the control units 15, 25, 315, 323, and 43 may be configured using the processor 91 and the main memory device 92.

[0087] (Variation) The service providing device 40 may be implemented using a plurality of information processing devices. For example, the service providing device 40 may be implemented using a device such as a cloud. For example, in the service providing device 40, the storage unit 42 and the control unit 43 may be implemented in different information processing devices. For example, the storage unit 42 of the service providing device 40 may be implemented in a distributed manner in a plurality of information processing devices.

[0088] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 100... proxy payment system, 10... patient terminal device, 11... communication unit, 12... input unit, 13... output unit, 14... memory unit, 15... control unit, 20... proxy terminal device, 21... communication unit, 22... input unit, 23... output unit, 24... memory unit, 25... control unit, 30... medical institution system, 31... medical institution terminal, 311... communication unit, 312... input unit, 313... output unit, 314... memory unit, 315... control unit, 32... medical institution server, 321... communication unit, 322... memory unit, 323... control unit, 40... service providing device, 41... communication unit, 42... memory unit, 43... control unit, 50... payment management system

Claims

1. a storage unit that stores a patient who receives medical services and a proxy who pays medical expenses, which are costs related to the provision of the medical services, in association with each other; a control unit that requests the agent to settle medical expenses for medical services provided to the patient; A service providing device comprising:

2. The service providing device of claim 1, wherein the control unit requests consent from the patient or the representative to be registered in association with the patient, and, upon consent from the patient or the representative, registers the patient and the representative in association with each other in the memory unit.

3. The service providing device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit, when requesting the consent, requests consent for the special care-required personal information to be provided to a proxy.

4. A service provision method comprising a request step in which a computer having a memory unit that stores a correspondence between a patient receiving medical services and an agent who pays medical expenses, which are costs related to the provision of said medical services, requests the agent to settle medical expenses for medical services provided to the patient.

5. a storage unit that stores a patient who receives medical services and a proxy who pays medical expenses, which are costs related to the provision of the medical services, in association with each other; a control unit that requests the agent to settle medical expenses for medical services provided to the patient; A computer program for causing a computer to function as a service providing device comprising the above.

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