Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system to facilitate a purchase by a cardmember using a transaction instrument. A request to charge a tax-advantaged account for a transaction using the transaction instrument is received at a host computer. A determination is made whether the charge is for a covered tax-advantaged expense. The tax-advantaged account is credited with points associated with the value of the charge only if the charge is determined to be for a covered tax-advantaged expense.

Abstract: The invention is a computer-implemented method and system to facilitate a purchase utilizing a tax-advantaged account. A request for payment for an item is received from a requester. A determination is made whether the item qualifies for pre-tax treatment. If the item qualifies for pre-tax treatment at least a partial payment amount for the item is determined. The tax-advantaged account is debited for at least a portion of the purchasing amount of the item based on the payment authorization; and the at least partial payment amount for the item is transmitted to an account of the requestor.

Abstract: A method for accelerating a payment to a merchant for a healthcare related claim. The method comprises submitting a healthcare related claim for payment from the merchant to a payer; determining at the payer whether the member is eligible for services covered as a part of his or her healthcare plan. If the member is determined to be eligible for payment of claim(s) submitted, then a financial institution is notified of an estimated amount of liability for the claim. At least a portion of the estimated amount of liability for the claim is paid to the merchant by the financial institution. The financial institution thereafter receives a reimbursement/payment from a healthcare finding source for the adjudicated amount of liability for the claim. Once the claim is adjudicated, a healthcare management system reconciles with the merchant for any under or over payment.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for capturing Line-Item-Detail to assist in substantiating eligible expenses for participating card holders. The system leverages existing data feeds to capture Line-Item-Detail at a point of sale (POS). Advanced filtering and transmission protocols are implemented to enable the process of capturing and transmission of data. The system helps to reduce the number of paper receipts that are required from card members, especially those resulting from over the counter purchases at retail stores. By flagging eligible purchases, the invention aids in automation of the rebate/claims process thereby leading to a faster rebate process and hence, improving customer satisfaction.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for integrating verification of eligibility information of a card member enrolled in a health plan with a payment account required to pay for the services used according to the health plan is described. The present invention integrates card member information to a method which provides payment capabilities for services used by the card member. The invention encodes basic patient eligibility information onto a card magnetic stripe. This helps in overcoming any manual data entry errors that can resulted from a paper-based or paperless electronic process. The invention provides the ability to complete a transaction involving a medical service provider, a patient and a payer in a single swipe of card.

Abstract: A system and computer program product for integrating verification of eligibility information of a card member enrolled in a health plan with a payment account required to pay for the services used according to the health plan is described. The present invention integrates card member information to a Practice Management System which provides payment capabilities for services used by the card member. The invention encodes basic patient eligibility information onto a card magnetic stripe. This helps in overcoming any manual data entry errors that can result from a paper-based or paperless electronic process. The invention provides the ability to complete a transaction involving a medical service provider, a patient and a payer in a single swipe of card.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for linking healthcare purchases to tax advantaged accounts by means of a card containing a card member's data. The system assists in substantiating eligible expenses for participating card holders. The system leverages existing data feeds. By flagging eligible purchases, the invention aids in automation of the rebate/claims process thereby leading to a faster substantiation of claims and hence, improving customer satisfaction. The individual card member, the card company and a service providing merchant can also communicate through a common platform like a third party website to manually substantiate any pending claims corresponding to purchases. The invention circumvents the need for a card member to use electronic payment cards at only eligible health care merchants and assists individual card members in getting benefits for eligible purchases made using the electronic card at non-healthcare merchants.

Abstract: The invention is a computer-implemented method and system to facilitate a purchase utilizing a tax-advantaged account. A request for payment for an item is received from a requester. A determination is made whether the item qualifies for pre-tax treatment. If the item qualifies for pre-tax treatment at least a partial payment amount for the item is determined. The tax-advantaged account is debited for at least a portion of the purchasing amount of the item based on the payment authorization; and the at least partial payment amount for the item is transmitted to an account of the requestor.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system to facilitate a purchase utilizing a tax-advantaged account. A request to charge the tax-advantaged account for an item is received at a host computer. A determination is made whether the item qualifies for pre-tax treatment. If the item qualifies for pre-tax treatment then at least partial payment authorization for the item is determined, and the tax-advantaged account is debited for at least a portion of the purchasing amount of the item based on the payment authorization. If the item does not qualify for pre-tax treatment, then a non-tax advantaged account is debited for an item not qualifying for pre-tax treatment.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system to facilitate a purchase by a cardmember using a transaction instrument. A request to charge a tax-advantaged account for a transaction using the transaction instrument is received at a host computer. A determination is made whether the charge is for a covered tax-advantaged expense. The tax-advantaged account is credited with points associated with the value of the charge only if the charge is determined to be for a covered tax-advantaged expense.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system to facilitate a purchase by at least first and second cardmembers using respective transaction instruments associated with a single tax-advantaged account. A request from a merchant to charge a purchase by the first cardmember against the tax-advantaged account for a transaction using the first transaction instrument is received at a host computer. A determination is made whether the first cardmember charge is for a covered tax-advantaged expense. The tax-advantaged account is credited with points associated with the value of the first cardmember charge only if the first cardmember charge is determined to be for a covered tax-advantaged expense. A request is received from a merchant to charge the second cardmember against the tax-advantaged account for a transaction using the second transaction instrument. A determination is made whether the second cardmember charge is for a covered tax-advantaged expense.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system to facilitate a purchase by a cardmember using a transaction instrument associated with a tax-advantaged account, wherein the tax-advantaged account is associated with a healthcare plan. A request is received from a merchant to charge the tax-advantaged account for a transaction associated with the transaction instrument. A determination is made whether the charge is for a covered tax-advantaged expense The tax-advantaged account is credited with healthcare plan related points associated with the value of the charge only if the charge is determined to be for a covered tax-advantaged expense. The tax-advantaged account is also credited with transaction instrument related points associated with the value of the charge only if the charge is determined to be for a covered tax-advantaged expense.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system to facilitate a purchase utilizing a tax-advantaged account. A request for payment for an item is received at a host computer. The item comprises any item that qualifies for pre-tax treatment, including, but not limited to: a medical expense; a dental expense; a dependent care expense; a childcare expense; a work-related parking expense; and a work-related transportation expense. The system determines whether the item qualifies for pre-tax treatment. If the item qualifies for pre-tax treatment, then the tax-advantaged account is debited for at least a portion of the purchasing amount of the item based on the payment request.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method to facilitate a purchase utilizing a flexible spending account, comprising the steps of: receiving, at a host computer, a request for payment authorization for an item; determining whether the item qualifies for pre-tax treatment; and when the item qualifies for pre-tax treatment: determining at least partial payment authorization for the item, transmitting the at least partial payment authorization for the item to a point of sale device; causing the flexible spending account to be debited for at least a portion of the purchasing amount of the item based on the payment authorization; and debiting a non-flexible spending account for an item not qualifying for pre-tax treatment.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method to facilitate a purchase by a cardmember using a transaction instrument, comprising: receiving, at a host computer, a request from a provider for payment authorization for a charge to the cardmember using the transaction instrument; determining whether the charge is for a covered healthcare expense; if the charge is determined to be for a covered healthcare expense, then crediting an account of the cardmember with points associated with the value of the charge; and if the charge is determined to be for a non-covered expense, then not crediting the cardmember's account with any points associated with the value of the charge.