PORTFOLIO-LEVEL DECISION SUPPORT

The present invention employs branded virtual characters to engage and educate users regarding an array of health-related insurance, financial, and other benefits, enabling informed decision-making during this complex process. Information is collected gradually on an “as-needed” basis to avoid overwhelming users with lengthy and redundant requests for information, while still providing a safe environment for users to freely discuss personal, health, financial and related sensitive issues. Throughout the process, the system employs a portfolio-driven approach to identify inter-dependencies among different benefit products and plans, and prioritize and recommend “portfolio-level” benefit solutions. Back-end components enable users to complete transactions (e.g., via third-party quoting and enrollment systems and employer HRIS systems, as well as via access to external medical and claims data), and provide third parties with access to the educational, decision-making and transactional aspects of this process, including various authoring and other tools to generate and modify system content over time.