Abstract: A system for real time payment of insurance claims is disclosed. As an initial step, patients provide their insurance information to a service provider. The service provider transmits the patient's information and the insurance information to a benefits administrator. The benefits administrator determines whether the patient is participating in a plan provided by the insurance provider that provides for real time payment of the insurance claim. If the patient is participating in an eligible plan, the benefits administrator informs the service provider. The service provider submits a claim describing the services provided to the patient. The benefits administrator identifies the services for which payment may be made in real-time. The benefits administrator coordinates payment from the insurance provider to the service provider and sends a confirmation of the payment to the service provider. The benefits administrator may additionally provide an explanation of benefits in real time to the patient.