Singapore – MediConCen announced on 4 November that its technology now powers a digital journey for Prudential Hong Kong Limited customers, linking doctor appointment booking, expense pre-authorisation and B2B payment by Mastercard virtual card. Approved medical expenses are settled cashlessly, with no upfront payment from customers and no claims paperwork afterwards, according to the company.
Chiron Medical Group is the inaugural provider partner in the initial phase and is deploying the capability across its network. MediConCen said the platform will expand gradually to more clinics, hospitals and medical networks across Hong Kong in the coming months.
The update adds three enhancements to Prudential’s Medical Expenses Direct Billing Service for eligible customers. These are instant appointment booking and instant pre-authorisation, which gives earlier confirmation of eligible coverage before treatment.
The third is cashless settlement of approved medical expenses, which reduces the need for customers to pay upfront and claim reimbursement later.
Once Prudential approves an eligible expense, MediConCen facilitates settlement with the provider partner through the Mastercard virtual card. Providers also gain access to a dedicated portal for case handling and settlement, which MediConCen said enables prompt payment of approved claims with minimal paperwork.
Prudential keeps full control of every coverage decision under the arrangement. “Nobody should have to worry about the bill when they are seeking treatment,” said William Yeung, Co-founder and CEO, MediConCen.
“We built the technology that makes the payment journey invisible. Booking, approval and settlement flow as one. The patient never pays upfront, the provider is paid securely, and Prudential Hong Kong keeps full control of every coverage decision. That is what cashless should feel like,” Yeung continued.
Prudential Hong Kong framed the move as an extension of its existing direct billing service.
Candy Au Yeung, Chief Customer Operations and Health Officer, Prudential Hong Kong Limited, said, “This collaboration goes beyond direct billing by extending the journey upstream to appointment booking and pre-authorisation. It is an example of guided care in action, connecting the different parts of the customer journey across healthcare, technology and payments to further enhance our services and deliver a simpler, more convenient experience. We are also pleased to support home-grown InsurTech innovation as we continue to explore new solutions that provide customers with better experiences and greater peace of mind.”
Mastercard supplies the payment layer through its virtual card capabilities. “At Mastercard, we are committed to helping businesses move money more efficiently, securely and seamlessly. Through our virtual card capabilities, this collaboration enables a secure and streamlined digital settlement flow between insurers and healthcare providers, delivering greater efficiency, visibility and control to the claims process,” said Helena Chen, Senior Vice President, General Manager, Hong Kong & Macau, Mastercard.
“Together with Prudential and MediConCen, we are demonstrating how commercial payments innovation can simplify complex B2B payment flows and support a more connected healthcare ecosystem,” Chen added.
On the provider side, Chiron Medical Group’s chief executive described the change in terms of patient access.
“We are extending the starting point of care even further — quality healthcare begins before patients even step into the clinic. From online appointment booking and consultation to claims settlement, the entire journey is seamlessly connected, allowing our teams to focus on clinical care,” said Wallace Wong, Chief Executive Officer, Chiron Medical Group.
The project brings together Prudential Hong Kong, MediConCen and Mastercard, combining healthcare, InsurTech and payment expertise. It targets a process that has traditionally involved separate booking, approval and payment steps.
