Prudential Hong Kong removes upfront payments for eligible care

Mastercard virtual cards enable direct settlement with participating healthcare providers.

Prudential Hong Kong Limited has partnered with local start-up MediConCen and payment solutions provider Mastercard to launch a streamlined medical billing and booking system for its insurance customers.

The new platform links appointment scheduling, expense pre-authorisation, and business-to-business payments into a single process.

When an eligible medical expense is approved by Prudential, MediConCen uses a Mastercard virtual card to settle the bill directly with the healthcare provider.

This removes the need for patients to pay upfront and submit claims for reimbursement later. Healthcare providers also receive access to a dedicated portal to manage cases and settle payments with minimal paperwork.

Chiron Medical Group has joined as the first medical provider partner to roll out the system across its network. The platform is scheduled to expand to additional clinics, hospitals, and medical networks throughout Hong Kong over the coming months.

According to Prudential, the system aims to extend direct billing capabilities by integrating earlier steps in the patient journey, such as booking and coverage confirmation.

Mastercard stated that its virtual card technology provides a secure, digital settlement flow between insurers and healthcare providers to improve visibility and control during the claims process.