System and method using extended authorization hold period
First Claim
1. An electronic payment processing method comprising:
- receiving, an authorization request data message from a point of sale terminal at a healthcare provider via an electronic payment processing network, for a first amount associated with healthcare services rendered to a patient;
determining, by the electronic payment processing network, a predetermined amount of time for holding the portion of the first amount on a payment card from a plurality of amounts of time, from the authorization request data message;
forwarding, via the electronic payment processing network the authorization request data message to an issuer of the payment card,the authorization request data message having a requirement that at least a portion of the first amount is held by the issuer for the predetermined amount of time, the predetermined amount of time comprising at least four days;
receiving, from the point-of-sale terminal, a settlement request message, via the electronic payment processing network, requesting payment for a second amount due from the patient after an adjudication with the patient'"'"'s health insurance carrier within the predetermined amount of time,wherein the issuer is not the health insurance carrier, and if the healthcare provider does not send the settlement request message to the issuer within the predetermined amount of time, the held amount is no longer held; and
processing, via the electronic payment processing network, a fund transfer transaction from the patient'"'"'s payment card to the health provider based on the settlement request message.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses serving to provide assurance that healthcare providers will receive payment for services rendered. In one embodiment, a payment card (or other portable consumer device) provides an extended authorization hold period (for example up to 21 days). This hold period allows the healthcare provider to request authorization for payment from the patient'"'"'s credit, debit, FSA, HRA, or HSA payment card, submit the insurance claim, and then upon receipt of a health insurance carrier'"'"'s Explanation of Benefits (EOB) within the hold period, submit for settlement only that amount actually due from the patient. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, pending receipt of the EOB from the insurer, the healthcare provider flags a transaction in a point-of-sale (POS) terminal device or server for storage and delayed submittal over an electronic payment network. Embodiments in accordance with the present invention are particularly applicable to payment of claims in healthcare plans following adjudication by a payer.
126 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. An electronic payment processing method comprising:
-
receiving, an authorization request data message from a point of sale terminal at a healthcare provider via an electronic payment processing network, for a first amount associated with healthcare services rendered to a patient; determining, by the electronic payment processing network, a predetermined amount of time for holding the portion of the first amount on a payment card from a plurality of amounts of time, from the authorization request data message; forwarding, via the electronic payment processing network the authorization request data message to an issuer of the payment card, the authorization request data message having a requirement that at least a portion of the first amount is held by the issuer for the predetermined amount of time, the predetermined amount of time comprising at least four days; receiving, from the point-of-sale terminal, a settlement request message, via the electronic payment processing network, requesting payment for a second amount due from the patient after an adjudication with the patient'"'"'s health insurance carrier within the predetermined amount of time, wherein the issuer is not the health insurance carrier, and if the healthcare provider does not send the settlement request message to the issuer within the predetermined amount of time, the held amount is no longer held; and processing, via the electronic payment processing network, a fund transfer transaction from the patient'"'"'s payment card to the health provider based on the settlement request message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. An apparatus comprising a host computer including a processor and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, the non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon code for directing the processor to,
receive over an electronic payment network, a request for authorization of a payment of a transaction for healthcare services rendered to a patient the payment for a first amount, determine, a predetermined amount of time for holding the portion of the first amount on a payment card from a plurality of amounts of time, from the request for authorization; -
recognize in the request for authorization, information indicating that a delay for the predetermined amount of time in settlement of the transaction is appropriate, generate a message delaying settlement of the transaction for a predetermined amount of time, wherein delaying comprises imposing a hold of at least a portion of the first amount for authorization, the hold comprising at least four days, receive over the electronic payment network, a settlement request for a payment of the transaction for healthcare services for a second amount due from the patient, and if the settlement request is not received within the predetermined amount of time, release the held amount, and process a fund transfer transaction of the second amount from the patient'"'"'s payment card to a health provider based on the settlement request. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification