3D AR Virtual Character for Healthcare Billing Explanation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Healthcare billing statements are notoriously difficult for patients to understand due to complex medical terminology and lack of user-friendly tools, leading to patient dissatisfaction and inefficient communication with billing entities.
Innovation Solution
A downloadable 3D Augmented Reality application that recognizes healthcare billing statements using a mobile device's camera, featuring a virtual character that explains sections of the bill and provides interactive options such as paying online, contacting the billing center, or accessing a patient portal, reducing the need for contact center interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional billing statement formats are used, then information completeness is maintained, but patient understanding and ease of operation deteriorate due to complex medical terminology and structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual character as an intermediary that mediates between the complex billing statement and the patient. The virtual character translates medical terminology and billing codes into plain language explanations, maintaining information completeness while improving patient understanding. The character acts as a bridge that preserves all billing information while making it accessible and comprehensible to patients.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the presentation parameters of billing information by changing from static text to dynamic 3D animated character interactions. The billing statement is overlaid with augmented reality elements that modify how information is displayed - transforming complex medical codes into visual explanations with the virtual character, thereby improving ease of operation without losing information.
2Loss of information
If detailed billing information is provided, then information completeness is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of detection increase due to medical terminology and codes
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual character serves as an intermediary that handles the complexity of medical terminology and billing codes. Instead of presenting raw complex information directly to the patient, the character translates and explains it in simple terms, maintaining information completeness while reducing perceived complexity. The character absorbs the complexity burden and presents simplified explanations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to billing information presentation by using 3D animated characters and augmented reality overlays. This transforms the flat, text-heavy billing statement into a multi-dimensional interactive experience where the virtual character provides explanations from a different dimensional perspective, making complex information more manageable and understandable.
3Loss of information
If comprehensive billing explanations are provided through traditional means, then information completeness is improved, but loss of time increases due to difficult navigation and contact center interactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling patients to interact directly with the virtual character on their own billing statements. Patients can tap sections of the bill to get immediate explanations from the character without needing to navigate to separate FAQ pages or call contact centers. This self-service approach provides comprehensive billing explanations while significantly reducing the time patients spend seeking information.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual character is pre-programmed with comprehensive billing explanations and knowledge about medical terminology and codes. This preliminary preparation of information allows the character to provide immediate, accurate explanations when patients interact with the bill, eliminating the need for patients to search through multiple sources or wait for contact center responses.
4Ease of operation
If interactive features are added to billing statements, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to AR technology and virtual character integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the mobile device camera and display serve multiple functions - not only taking photos but also rendering augmented reality overlays with the virtual character. The billing statement itself becomes a multi-functional element, serving as both the original document and the canvas for AR interactions. This universality reduces the need for separate complex devices while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the billing statement enhanced with AR elements. Instead of modifying the original physical bill or requiring specialized hardware, a digital copy is generated that overlays the virtual character and interactive elements. This copying approach adds interactive features while keeping the underlying technology manageable by working with digital representations rather than physical modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are presented for facilitating client reading and understanding of a billing statement. A client computing device includes a memory and a processor and a first set of computer instructions is stored in the memory of the client computing device and is executed by the processor of the client computing device. The computer instructions perform the steps of: receiving an electronic billing statement; identifying and highlighting select sections of the bill; launching a three-dimensional (3D) character; interposing the 3D character atop the electronic billing statement; and presenting a script via the 3D character, to the client, upon selection of a highlighted section. The script provides an explanation of the highlighted section and may be predefined or generated by artificial intelligence.