Auctioning Provider Prices

Abstract

A computer-implemented method includes receiving, at a computer-based system for connecting consumers with providers in real time over the Internet, requested compensation amounts from a plurality of providers. The method also includes displaying a price associated with consulting with a particular provider to a consumer on a user interface, the price being based at least in part on the requested compensation amount received from the provider.

1 . A computer-implemented method, comprising:
 receiving, at a computer-based system for connecting consumers with providers in real time over the Internet, requested compensation amounts from a plurality of providers,   displaying a price associated with consulting with a particular provider to a consumer on a user interface, the price being based at least in part on the requested compensation amount received from the provider.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving the requested compensation amount from the plurality of medical services providers comprises:
 receiving a first requested compensation amount from a first provider; and   receiving a second requested compensation amount from a second provider, the second requested compensation amount being different than the first requested compensation amount.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 receiving, from the consumer, a selection of one of the first provider or the second provider; and   providing a communication channel to establish a communication between the consumer and the selected one of the first provider or the second provider.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 providing to a non-selected one of the first provider the second provider an indication of the requested compensation of the selected provider.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a request from a consumer to consult with a provider having a profile that satisfies at least some attributes;   identifying one or more providers satisfying at least some of the attributes in the request from the consumer;   displaying the identified one or more providers to the consumer on a user interface.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein displaying the identified one or more providers to the consumer on the user interface comprises:
 sorting the identified one or more providers based on a cost to the consumer; and   displaying the identified one or more providers in an order based, at least in part, on the cost to the consumer.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 upon receiving a requested compensation amount from a particular provider, comparing the requested compensation amount of the particular provider to an average compensation amount; and   if the requested compensation is above a threshold greater than the average compensation amount providing an indication to the particular provider; and   allowing the particular provider to provide an updated requested compensation amount.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein displaying the price comprises displaying the requested compensation amount for a particular provider. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein displaying the price comprises:
 displaying the requested compensation amount for a particular provider; and   displaying a portion of the requested compensation amount covered by insurance.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining an insurance carrier associated with the consumer;   determining an amount the insurance carrier will pay for a service;   updating the price displayed to the consumer based on the amount the insurance carrier will pay for the service.   
     
     
         11 . A computer program product residing on a computer readable medium for providing broker services to consumers and service providers, the computer program product comprising instructions for causing a computer to: receive, at a computer-based system for connecting consumers with providers in real time over the Internet, requested compensation amounts from a plurality of providers, and
 display a price associated with consulting with a particular provider to a consumer on a user interface, the price being based at least in part on the requested compensation amount received from the provider.   
     
     
         12 . The computer program product of  claim 11 , further comprising instructions to:
 provide to a non-selected provider an indication of the requested compensation of a selected provider.   
     
     
         13 . The computer program product of  claim 11 , further comprising instructions to:
 receive a request from a consumer to consult with a provider having a profile that satisfies at least some attributes;   identify one or more providers satisfying at least some of the attributes in the request from the consumer;   display the identified one or more providers to the consumer on a user interface.   
     
     
         14 . The computer program product of  claim 13 , further comprising instructions to:
 sort the identified one or more providers based on a cost to the consumer; and   display the identified one or more providers in an order based, at least in part, on the cost to the consumer.   
     
     
         15 . The computer program product of  claim 11 , further comprising instructions to:
 upon receiving a requested compensation amount from a particular provider, compare the requested compensation amount of the particular provider to an average compensation amount; and   if the requested compensation is above a threshold greater than the average compensation amount provide an indication to the particular provider; and   allow the particular provider to provide an updated requested compensation amount.   
     
     
         16 . The computer program product of  claim 11 , further comprising instructions to:
 determine an insurance carrier associated with the consumer;   determine an amount the insurance carrier will pay for a service;   update the price displayed to the consumer based on the amount the insurance carrier will pay for the service.   
     
     
         17 . An apparatus comprising:
 a processor; and   a computer program product residing on a computer readable medium for providing broker services to consumers and service providers, the computer program product comprising instructions for causing the processor to:
 receive, at a computer-based system for connecting consumers with providers in real time over the Internet, requested compensation amounts from a plurality of providers, and 
 display a price associated with consulting with a particular provider to a consumer on a user interface, the price being based at least in part on the requested compensation amount received from the provider. 
   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising instructions to:
 providing to a non-selected provider an indication of the requested compensation of a selected provider.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising instructions to:
 receive a request from a consumer to consult with a provider having a profile that satisfies at least some attributes;   identify one or more providers satisfying at least some of the attributes in the request from the consumer;   sort the identified one or more providers based on a cost to the consumer; and   display the identified one or more providers in an order based, at least in part, on the cost to the consumer.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising instructions to:
 upon receiving a requested compensation amount from a particular provider, compare the requested compensation amount of the particular provider to an average compensation amount; and   if the requested compensation is above a threshold greater than the average compensation amount provide an indication to the particular provider; and   allow the particular provider to provide an updated requested compensation amount.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising instructions to:
 determine an insurance carrier associated with the consumer;   determine an amount the insurance carrier will pay for a service;   update the price displayed to the consumer based on the amount the insurance carrier will pay for the service.