Payment service provider InstaMed has announced that it is integrating Apple Pay support, making it the first application of Apple mobile payments platform in the healthcare sector.
The technology will allow businesses partnering with InstaMed to take payments in person using an iPhone 6, 6 Plus, or Apple Watch, or in-app via any Touch ID-capable iPhone or iPad.
Users will be able to make co-pay payments via a terminal in a hospital or doctor’s office, or pay health insurance premiums via an insurer’s mobile app. InstaMed did not list any specific partners with plans to implement Apple Pay in their apps in the near future.
“Approximately 20 percent of consumers have unpaid healthcare bills as a result of confusion in the payments process. This will only grow as more and more consumers continue to enroll in high deductible health plans,” said Chris Seib, CTO and Co-Founder of InstaMed. “To resolve consumer confusion and rising bad debt, the healthcare industry must deliver a simple, secure and private payment process with innovative technology, including Apple Pay. As mobile payments are expected to reach $142 billion by 2019, the healthcare industry must leverage solutions like Apple Pay to meet these consumer needs. We are excited to bring Apple Pay to our customers and remain the leader in innovation for healthcare payments.”
Most businesses that have begun accepting Apple Pay are consumer goods retailers, rather than services providers. However, there are exceptions, with Apple partners in hotels, theaters, and auto service providers.
