Funding systems and programs

Abstract

We provide a funding system and program that can improve convenience for users by offering various business schemes tailored to the user's business model. [Solution] The funding system comprises: a reservation information acquisition unit that acquires reservation information from a reservation system that accepts reservations from beneficiaries for medical services provided by a user who is a provider of medical services; a future accounts receivable calculation unit that calculates the amount of future accounts receivable, which are the user's future sales receivables, based on the acquired reservation information; and a funding unit that provides funds to the user as consideration for the future accounts receivable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fund - providing system and a program.

Background Art

[0002] There is a known system that allows booking a medical institution via the Internet and enables checking the number of people waiting in line from one's own terminal such as a monitor or a smartphone after arriving at the hospital (see, for example, Patent Document 1). One of the methods of raising funds is called "factoring". This is a method of realizing early cash - conversion of accounts receivable by transferring the accounts receivable to a factoring company. In the case of medical institutions, most patients use insurance to cover their medical expenses and only pay the out - of - pocket portion of the actual medical expenses at the window after the medical treatment. The remaining medical expenses are reimbursed by the insurance institution at a later date, but the medical institution cannot recover the medical expenses until the reimbursement of the medical expenses by the insurance institution. Therefore, medical institutions with insufficient financial strength may face difficulties in cash - flow. To improve such a situation, a mechanism that buys the medical expenses reimbursed by the insurance institution as "claims" and performs early cash - conversion is called "medical - fee factoring" (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In recent years, a service called "future - claim factoring" that trades "uncertain claims that will occur in the future" has also been carried out.

Prior - Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

[0005] In a funding system, it is preferable to be able to offer various business schemes tailored to the business model of such users.

[0006] The objective of the present invention is to provide a funding system and program that can improve convenience for users by offering various business schemes tailored to the user's business model. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a funding system comprising: a reservation information acquisition unit that acquires reservation information indicating the reservation status of beneficiaries of medical services for medical services provided by a user who is a provider of medical services from a reservation system that accepts reservations from said beneficiaries; a future accounts receivable calculation unit that calculates the amount of future accounts receivable, which are the user's future sales receivables, based on the acquired reservation information; and a funding unit that provides funds to the user as consideration for the future accounts receivable.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to perform the following actions: obtain reservation information from a reservation system that accepts reservations from beneficiaries of medical services provided by a user who is a provider of medical services, indicating the reservation status of beneficiaries of said medical services; calculate the amount of future accounts receivable, which are accounts receivable for future sales of the user, based on the obtained reservation information; and provide funds to the user as consideration for said future accounts receivable. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, by providing various business schemes tailored to the user's business model, convenience for the user can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the device configuration of the fund provision system and the functional configuration of the fund provision management device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the equipment configuration of the reservation system in this embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the reservation management screen of this embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a business scheme for the fund collection phase of the fund provision system of this embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the operation flow in the pre-funding stage of the funding system of this embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the operation flow during the funding stage of the funding system of this embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the operation flow during the recovery phase of the funding system of this embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure shows a modified example of the business scheme for the fund collection phase of the fund provision system of this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The funding system 1 of this embodiment will be described while referring to the drawings. The embodiments described below are merely examples, and the embodiments to which the present invention is applied are not limited to the following embodiments. In all the drawings for explaining the embodiments, those having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations are omitted. In addition, "based on XX" as used in this application means "at least based on XX", and includes cases where it is based on another element in addition to XX. Also, "based on XX" is not limited to the case where XX is directly used, and includes cases where it is based on something obtained by performing calculations or processing on XX. "XX" is an arbitrary element (for example, arbitrary information).

[0012] [Embodiment] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the device configuration of the funding system 1 of the embodiment and the functional configuration of the funding management device 20. The funding system 1 includes a user terminal device 10, a funding management device 20, an account management system 40, a transfer system 50, and a reservation system 51.

[0013] The funding system 1 of this embodiment provides an amount corresponding to a part of the future sales of a medical institution to a user based on the application of the user who is an operator of a medical institution such as a hospital.

[0014] In this embodiment, medical institutions widely include organizations that provide medical services such as hospitals, clinics, and medical clinics. By replacing the "medical institution" in this embodiment with a "nursing facility" and the "medical fee" with a "nursing fee", it is assumed that the present invention can also be applied when a nursing facility performs future claim factoring with a nursing fee as a future claim.

[0015] In the following description, the goods or services provided by the user at a medical facility are also described as the medical services (or simply medical services) provided by the user. The medical services are also referred to as medical services. That is, the user can be said to be the provider of the medical service. The person who receives the medical service from the user (for example, the patient) is also referred to as the beneficiary of the medical service. The provider of the medical service and the beneficiary of the medical service are simply referred to as the provider and the beneficiary, respectively.

[0016] The medical institution receives a part (for example, 30% of the consideration) from the beneficiary for the consideration of the medical service provided to the beneficiary of the medical service (for example, the patient), and receives the rest from the medical fee payment institution such as the health insurance fund. In the following description, the place where the medical institution provides the medical service is also referred to as a medical facility.

[0017] Summarizing the actors of this embodiment, it is as follows. · Service provider: The provider of the medical service. Also referred to as the user of the fund providing system 1. Operates the user terminal device 10. · Beneficiary: The person who receives the medical service from the user and pays the consideration to the user. Also referred to as the patient. · Fund provider: The person who acquires the future accounts receivable of the service provider and provides funds to the service provider. A part of the consideration paid from the beneficiary to the service provider is used to recover the provided funds. Operates the fund providing management device 20. · Medical fee payment institution

[0018] The user terminal device 10 is a device used by the user and is a computer device such as a personal computer, a tablet, or a smartphone. The user terminal device 10 includes a display unit 11 and an operation unit 12. The display unit 11 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display and displays various images. In the following description, the display unit 11 displaying an image is also referred to as presenting an image to the user. The operation unit 12 includes, for example, a touch panel and detects the operation of the user.

[0019] The user terminal device 10 includes an arithmetic unit 100 and a storage unit 150. The arithmetic unit 100 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), and operates based on programs and data stored in the storage unit 150, providing various functions. The storage unit 150 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive or semiconductor memory (flash memory, RAM, ROM), and stores various types of information, such as programs and data read by the arithmetic unit 100. The storage unit 150 may also be implemented by a virtual storage device, such as a cloud server, located outside the user terminal device 10.

[0020] The fund management device 20 is a computer device operated by the organization (for example, a funder) that operates the fund provision system 1.

[0021] The fund provision management device 20 comprises a calculation unit 200 and a storage unit 250. The arithmetic unit 200 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), and operates based on programs and data stored in the storage unit 250, providing various functions.

[0022] The calculation unit 200 of this embodiment includes a reservation information acquisition unit 201, a future accounts receivable calculation unit 202, a fund provision unit 203, a payment information acquisition unit 204, a withdrawal amount calculation unit 205, a withdrawal amount notification unit 206, and a collection unit 207 as its functional units.

[0023] The storage unit 250 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive or semiconductor memory (flash memory, RAM, ROM), and stores various types of information, such as programs and data read by the arithmetic unit 200. The storage unit 250 may also be implemented by a virtual storage device, such as a cloud server, located outside the fund management device 20.

[0024] The user terminal device 10 and the fund management device 20 described above can communicate with each other via network NT1. Network NT1 includes the internet, WAN (Wide Area Network), LAN (Local Area Network), public lines, provider equipment, dedicated lines, wireless base stations, etc.

[0025] Furthermore, the user terminal device 10 may also have some of the functions of the fund management device 20 described below.

[0026] The reservation system 51 is configured, for example, as a cloud server and manages reservations for beneficiaries related to medical services provided by the user.

[0027] Figure 2 shows an example of the equipment configuration of the reservation system 51 of this embodiment. The reservation system 51 is composed of a beneficiary terminal device 511, a visitor reception device 512, a reservation management device 513, a call device 514, a wireless device 515, and a server device 516.

[0028] The terminal device 511 is a portable device operated by the beneficiary (for example, a patient), and it displays a reservation application screen to the beneficiary. The beneficiary operates the terminal device 511 to make a reservation for medical services.

[0029] The visitor reception device 512 is operated by the beneficiary upon arrival at the medical facility. It displays to the beneficiary the number of people waiting in line and their call number, and prints (issues) the call number via a printer connected to the visitor reception device 512, as shown in Figure 2.

[0030] The reservation management device 513 is operated by a staff member at a medical facility and manages the reservation status and visit status of beneficiaries.

[0031] The paging device 514 is installed in waiting rooms of medical facilities and displays the calling order, waiting time, etc., to visitors.

[0032] The wireless device 515 is equipped with short-range wireless communication capabilities, for example, enabling communication between devices within a medical facility, and wirelessly connects terminal devices 511, visitor reception devices 512, reservation management devices 513, paging devices 514, and others to each other.

[0033] The server device 516 is configured, for example, as a cloud server and stores various types of information from the reservation system 51.

[0034] The various types of information stored in the server device 516 are also called medical information D51. Medical information D51 includes at least one piece of information about the medical service, such as the number of patients treated, medical specialty, medical fee, frequency of treatment, date and time of treatment, time slot, doctor in charge, waiting time, duration of treatment, and

[0035] The medical information D51 in this embodiment does not include the beneficiary's personal information (for example, the patient's name, address, or medical record information). Therefore, the funding system 1 can use the medical information D51 without being restricted from the perspective of protecting personal information. However, for beneficiaries who visit the hospital after making a reservation, personal information such as the patient ID number, name, and contact information may be linked to the reservation information at the time of reservation. In this case, it is desirable to use the medical information D51 under proper personal information protection, or to design the system so that personal information that does not need to be referenced by the funding system 1 cannot be shared. If the medical information D51 or reservation information in this embodiment contains personal information, the funding system 1 will treat the information with the personal information removed as medical information D51. With the funding system 1 configured in this way, appropriate information management can be performed from the perspective of protecting personal information.

[0036] Figure 3 shows an example of the reservation management screen P51 of this embodiment. The reservation management screen P51 is a screen that displays the waiting status of a medical facility. The reservation management screen P51 can display waiting times and the number of waiting groups for each purpose of visit by the beneficiary, such as counter consultation, issuance of documents such as prescriptions, medical examinations, and tests.

[0037] The fund management device 20 can grasp the status of visitors at the medical facility by acquiring medical information D51 from the reservation system 51. As described above, medical information D51 includes the number of patients, medical specialty, medical fee, frequency of consultation, consultation date and time, consultation time slot, medical staff member, waiting time, and consultation duration. From this information, it is possible to estimate the medical fee (i.e., revenue) at the medical facility over a predetermined period (e.g., one day, one month, one year).

[0038] [A typical medical fee factoring business scheme] Figure 4 shows an example of a business scheme for the fund collection stage using typical fixed receivables (medical fee claims). In this business scheme, funds are collected from users through the following procedure.

[0039] 1. The user provides insured medical services to the beneficiary and collects a portion of the cost. The user submits a claim form to the medical fee payment agency to claim reimbursement for the insured portion of the medical services. 2: The user transfers the medical fee claim to the funder through a trust transfer. 3. Each time the user submits a claim to the medical fee payment institution each month, the fund provider (fund provision management device 20) issues the user a preferred beneficiary right and a subordinate beneficiary right for that month. 4. Funders acquire priority beneficiary rights, while users retain subordinate beneficiary rights. 5. The funders pay the users the transfer fee for the preferential beneficiary rights. 6. On the due date of the medical fee receivable, the medical fee payment agency pays the medical fee to the fund provider (fund provision management device 20). 7. Funders will reimburse users for their subordinated beneficiary rights (i.e., pay the remaining amount after deducting the amount recovered for the preferred beneficiary rights from the medical fees).

[0040] On the other hand, in the business scheme of the funding system 1 of this embodiment, funds are collected from users in the following procedure.

[0041] 1. Users apply to funders for funding. 2. The funder shall obtain medical information D51 from the user in conjunction with the above application. 3. Funders can estimate the approximate financial situation of a user by referring to the number of visitors, treatment details, and congestion levels included in the medical information D51 obtained from the user. Based on this estimation, funders can derive the upper limit of the amount that can be raised from the user, an appropriate preferential benefit rate, and a settlement period. 4. Based on the derived funding conditions, the user determines the amount of funding to receive and the rate of preferential benefits. 5. The user enters into a contract with the funder for the transfer of receivables (future receivables) (application for funding), and then transfers the medical fee receivables from the user to the funder in trust for a period of any choice after the application for funding (determined by the amount of funds to be raised and the rate of preferential benefits). 6. The funder shall notify the medical fee payment period of the assignment of the medical fee claim for the aforementioned arbitrary period and obtain its consent. 7. The user provides insured medical services to the beneficiary and collects a portion of the cost. The user submits a claim form to the medical fee payment agency to claim reimbursement for the insured portion of the medical services. 8. On the due date of the medical fee claim, the medical fee payment agency pays the medical fee to the fund provider (fund provision management device 20). 9. Funders reimburse users for their subordinated beneficiary rights (i.e., pay the remaining amount after deducting the amount recovered for the preferred beneficiary rights from the medical fees). 10. Repeat steps 7-9 above until the settlement is completed for the amount of funds received plus fees, etc. If the settlement is completed within the contract period of the claim determined in step 5, the assignment of claim agreement may be terminated upon completion of settlement, or the rate of preferential benefits may be changed to 0% upon completion of settlement. On the other hand, if the settlement is not completed within the contract period, or if the contract period is to be automatically extended until settlement is completed, or if the remaining balance is to be settled in a lump sum at the end of the contract period, or if a new contract may be to be concluded.

[0042] According to the business scheme of Funding System 1 configured in this way, it is possible to provide funds to users at an earlier time and in a lump sum than the funding timing shown in Figure 4 above. Below, the operation flow of Funding System 1 will be explained using the case of setting future accounts receivable R1 as an example.

[0043] [Operation Flow of Funding System 1] Figure 5 shows an example of the operation flow of the funding system 1 of this embodiment in the pre-funding stage.

[0044] [(1) Setting of funding framework] The fund management device 20 works in conjunction with the reservation system 51 to understand the reservation status of users.

[0045] (Step S511) The reservation system 51 provides medical information D51 to the fund provision management device 20. Medical information D51 is information indicating the reservation status of beneficiaries of medical services provided by the user, who is the service provider.

[0046] (Step S211) The reservation information acquisition unit 201 of the fund provision management device 20 acquires medical information D51 from the reservation system 51.

[0047] In other words, the reservation information acquisition unit 201 acquires medical information D51, which shows the reservation status of beneficiaries of medical services provided by the user who is the service provider, from the reservation system 51 that accepts reservations from beneficiaries.

[0048] (Step S212) The future accounts receivable calculation unit 202 estimates the user's business situation based on the acquired medical information D51, and calculates the upper limit of future accounts receivable R1, which are accounts receivable for future sales that can be purchased from the user, based on this.

[0049] As mentioned above, medical information D51 includes information about medical services such as the number of patients treated, medical specialty, medical fee, frequency of treatment, date and time of treatment, time slot for treatment, treating physician (e.g., doctor's name), waiting time for treatment, and duration of treatment.

[0050] The future accounts receivable calculation unit 202 uses a predetermined algorithm to make future (i.e., future) sales forecasts based on the information about medical services included in the medical information D51.

[0051] For example, by referring to the service provider, beneficiary, and extent of medical treatment (e.g., medical specialty, number of consultations) for multiple appointments, it is possible to infer the extent to which medical services are being exchanged between the service provider and the beneficiary.

[0052] The future accounts receivable calculation unit 202 calculates the maximum amount of future accounts receivable R1 that can be procured from the user based on the analysis results of the medical information D51.

[0053] [(2) Acceptance and review of applications for funding] (Step S121) The user operates the user terminal device 10 to apply for funding. The user terminal device 10 notifies the funding management device 20 that the user has applied for funding.

[0054] (Step S221) The fund provision management device 20 receives a fund provision application from the user terminal device 10. (Step S222) The fund provision management device 20 receives a fund provision application.

[0055] [(3) Provision of funds] Figure 6 shows an example of the operation flow of the funding stage of the funding system 1 of this embodiment. (Step S231) If the funding application is approved, the funding management device 20 deposits the funds into the financial institution account specified by the user. In one example of this embodiment, the user is using the account management system 40. In this case, the funding management device 20 withdraws the funds to the user's account managed by the account management system 40 (for example, medical fee deposit account A1).

[0056] In other words, the funding department 203 provides funds to the user as consideration for future accounts receivable R1.

[0057] (Step S431) The account management system 40 deposits the funds withdrawn by the fund provision management device 20 into the user's account. (Step S232) The fund management device 20 notifies the user terminal device 10 of the deposit result. (Step S131) ​​When the user terminal device 10 receives a notification of the deposit result from the fund management device 20, it displays to the user that a notification of the deposit result has been received.

[0058] [(4) Deduction from medical fees] This section explains the deduction from medical fees. In this embodiment, "deduction" refers to the deduction by the fund provider from the medical fees received by the user. Here, the amount recovered for the fund includes the amount of the funds provided and the fee for the fund. In other words, the user's deposit account will receive the amount of the medical fees after the deduction (i.e., the amount after the amount of the funds recovered and the fee have been deducted). The deduction of the amount recovered for the fund from the user's medical fees by the fund provision system 1 is also referred to as "recovering funds" (or simply "recovering").

[0059] Figure 7 shows an example of the operation flow during the collection phase of the funding system 1 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the medical fee payment institution uses the transfer system 50. The transfer system 50 deposits a portion of the medical fee amount into the financial institution account of the funder and deposits the remaining amount into the user. This series of processes performed by the transfer system 50 is also called the transfer process.

[0060] (Step S541) The transfer system 50 provides the fund management device 20 with medical fee information D50 of the fund recipient (e.g., user). The medical fee information D50 includes information indicating the amount of medical fees. (Step S241) The deposit information acquisition unit 204 of the fund provision management device 20 acquires medical fee information D50 from the transfer system 50.

[0061] (Step S242) The withdrawal amount calculation unit 205 of the fund provision management device 20 calculates the amount of the recovery amount M1 (i.e., the withdrawal amount W) to be deducted in advance before payment to the service provider (user) from the amount of medical fees of the medical facility indicated by the medical fee information D50.

[0062] The withdrawal amount W is calculated by multiplying the medical facility's medical fee by a predetermined withdrawal rate. For example, if a medical facility has a medical fee of 1 million yen for a predetermined period (e.g., 5 days) and a withdrawal rate of 70%, the withdrawal amount W for that period will be calculated as 700,000 yen. The "withdrawal rate" referred to here is the "preferential beneficiary rate" mentioned above.

[0063] Here, the withdrawal amount calculation unit 205 may calculate a predetermined withdrawal rate according to the amount of future accounts receivable R1. As described above, the amount of future accounts receivable R1 is calculated based on the medical information D51.

[0064] In other words, the withdrawal amount calculation unit 205 calculates the withdrawal amount W, which is the amount of funds recovered from the user, based on the acquired medical information D51.

[0065] The funding system 1 can improve the accuracy of calculating future accounts receivable R1 and withdrawal amounts W compared to when medical information D51 is not available, by calculating future accounts receivable R1 and withdrawal amounts W based on medical information D51.

[0066] (Step S243) The withdrawal amount notification unit 206 of the fund provision management device 20 notifies the transfer system 50 of the withdrawal amount W.

[0067] (Step S543) The transfer system 50 withdraws the remaining balance M2, obtained by subtracting the withdrawal amount W from the medical facility's medical fee amount, to the account management system 40. (Step S441) The account management system 40 deposits the funds into the user's financial institution account (for example, medical fee deposit account A1).

[0068] (Step S544) The transfer system 50 performs the transfer process for the recovered funds M1. That is, the transfer system 50 pays the recovered funds M1 of the withdrawal amount W to the operator of the fund provision system 1 (for example, the fund provision company).

[0069] In other words, the recovery unit 207 of the fund provision management device 20 obtains the consideration for medical services from the medical fee payment organization, which is the recipient of the medical fee claims from the user, based on future accounts receivable R1, and recovers the withdrawal amount W as the amount of funds recovered by subtracting the withdrawal amount W from the obtained consideration.

[0070] The transfer system 50 of this embodiment debits the recovered amount W from the user's medical fee deposit account A1. The medical fee deposit account A1 is the user's account from which deposits are made by the medical fee payment organization.

[0071] In other words, the collection unit 207 obtains the payment for medical services from the medical fee payment organization, which is the recipient of the medical fee claims from the user, based on future accounts receivable R1, and then deducts the withdrawal amount W from the obtained payment to recover the withdrawal amount W as the amount of funds to be recovered.

[0072] (Step S244) The fund management device 20 confirms that the amount of the recovered funds M1 deposited from the transfer system 50 matches the withdrawal amount W notified in step S243. (Step S245) The fund management device 20 notifies the user terminal device 10 that the withdrawal has been completed. (Step S141) The user terminal device 10 displays on the display unit 11 that the withdrawal has been completed.

[0073] [Differentiation] Figure 8 shows a modified version of the business scheme for the fund collection stage of the fund provision system 1 of this embodiment. This modified business scheme differs from the embodiment described above in that a trust financial institution is intervened between the medical fee payment institution and the fund provider (fund provision management device 20a). In this modified business scheme, funds are collected from users in the following procedure.

[0074] 1. Users apply for funding from funders through a trust financial institution. 2. The funder will obtain medical information D51 from the user through the trust financial institution, along with the above application. 3. Funders can estimate the approximate financial situation of a user by referring to the number of visitors, treatment details, and congestion levels included in the medical information D51 obtained from the user through a trust financial institution. Based on this estimation, funders can derive the upper limit of the amount that can be raised from the user, an appropriate preferential benefit rate, and a settlement period. 4. Based on the derived funding conditions, the user determines the amount of funding to receive and the rate of preferential benefits. 5. The user enters into a contract for the transfer of receivables (future receivables) with the funder through a trust financial institution (application for funding), and the user transfers the medical fee receivables to the funder through the trust financial institution for a period of any choice after the application for funding (determined by the amount of funds to be raised and the rate of preferential beneficiaries). 6. The funder shall notify the medical fee payment period, through a trust financial institution, of the assignment of the medical fee claim for the aforementioned arbitrary period and obtain its consent. 7. The user provides insured medical services to the beneficiary and collects a portion of the cost. The user submits a claim form to the medical fee payment agency to claim reimbursement for the insured portion of the medical services. 8. On the due date of the medical fee claim, the medical fee payment agency pays the medical fee to the trust financial institution. 9. The funder receives redemption of the preferred beneficiary rights from the trust financial institution (i.e., payment of the remaining amount after deducting the amount recovered for the subordinated beneficiary rights from the medical fees). 10. Repeat steps 7-9 above until the settlement is completed for the amount of funds received plus fees, etc. If the settlement is completed within the contract period of the claim determined in step 5, the assignment of claim agreement may be terminated upon completion of settlement, or the rate of preferential benefits may be changed to 0% upon completion of settlement. On the other hand, if the settlement is not completed within the contract period, or if the contract period is to be automatically extended until settlement is completed, or if the remaining balance is to be settled in a lump sum at the end of the contract period, or if a new contract may be to be concluded.

[0075] Even in a business scheme structured in this manner, the funding system 1 can provide funds to users as quickly as possible.

[0076] Alternatively, the aforementioned business scheme could be transformed into a program scheme, where the monthly issuance of preferred trust beneficiaries and the ratings that arise each time are fixed by setting a "program period," such as "one year," and assigning ratings for that program period.

[0077] According to the funding system 1 configured in this way, for example, even in cases where credit card payments are not permitted at medical institutions and payments are made in cash, that is, even without credit card payment information, it is possible to factor future receivables by setting an appropriate upper limit.

[0078] Furthermore, according to the funding system 1 configured as described above, the beneficiary pays the consideration to the service provider (user) rather than to the funder, who is the actual creditor. Therefore, according to the funding system 1, the beneficiary is unaware of the business scheme between the user and the funder, thus enabling a natural transaction between the beneficiary and the service provider (user).

[0079] As described above, the funding system 1 of this embodiment provides various business schemes tailored to the user's business model. This configuration of the funding system improves convenience for the user.

[0080] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and design modifications and the like are also included within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, a computer program to implement the functions of each of the above-mentioned devices may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium may be loaded into a computer system and executed. The term "computer system" here may include hardware such as an operating system and peripheral devices.

[0081] Furthermore, "computer-readable recording media" refers to writable non-volatile memory such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, and flash memory, portable media such as DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), and storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording media" also includes volatile memory (such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)) within computer systems that act as servers or clients when programs are transmitted via networks such as the Internet or communication lines such as telephone lines, which retain programs for a certain period of time.

[0082] Furthermore, the above program may be transmitted from a computer system that stores the program in a memory device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves within the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" used to transmit the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) like the Internet or a communication line (communication line) like a telephone line. Furthermore, the above program may be intended to implement only a portion of the functions described above. It may also be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can implement the aforementioned functions in combination with programs already recorded in the computer system. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0083] 1... Funding system, 10... User terminal device, 20... Funding management device, 50... Transfer system, 51... Reservation system

Claims

1. A reservation information acquisition unit obtains reservation information from a reservation system that accepts reservations from beneficiaries, which indicates the reservation status of beneficiaries of the medical services provided by the user who is a provider of medical services. A future accounts receivable calculation unit calculates the amount of future accounts receivable, which are the user's future sales receivables, based on the acquired reservation information. A fund provision unit that provides funds to the user as consideration for the aforementioned future accounts receivable, A funding system equipped with these features.

2. The aforementioned reservation information includes at least one piece of information regarding the medical service, such as the number of patients, medical specialty, medical fee, frequency of visits, date and time of visit, time slot, doctor in charge, waiting time, and duration of the visit. The funding system according to claim 1.

3. Based on the acquired reservation information, a withdrawal amount calculation unit calculates the withdrawal amount, which is the amount of funds to be recovered from the user. A collection unit that recovers the amount of funds recovered by subtracting the withdrawal amount from the amount deposited into the user's account as payment for the aforementioned medical services, The funding system according to claim 1, comprising:

4. The aforementioned recovery unit is The payment for the medical services is obtained from the medical fee payment organization, which is the recipient of the medical fee claims from the user, based on the future accounts receivable, and the amount withdrawn is recovered as the amount of funds recovered by deducting the withdrawal amount from the obtained payment. The funding system according to claim 3, comprising:

5. On the computer, The user, who is a provider of medical services, obtains reservation information from a reservation system that accepts reservations from the beneficiaries of the medical services provided by the user, indicating the reservation status of the beneficiaries of the medical services. Based on the acquired reservation information, the amount of future accounts receivable, which are accounts receivable for the user's future sales, is calculated. Providing funds to the aforementioned users as consideration for the aforementioned future accounts receivable, A program to execute.

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