Australians will be the first users in the world to have contactless digital health insurance cards embedded into their Apple Wallet system, the tech monster has declared.
In a move, Apple believes everything except makes a physical wallet redundant, the US tech organization will presently offer contactless health insurance cards and policies from significant insurers including Medibank, Bupa, NIB, and GU Health through Apple Wallet.
HBF will join the system toward the beginning of August.
The digital cards, which can be added to the Apple Wallet function within iPhones and Apple Watches, will allow customers to guarantee cash from their supplier at the cash register without carrying a physical card.
To add your health care card, you need your health insurance app, through which you can basically tap to add your card to Apple Wallet.
NAB, which possesses the health industry claims and payments service or HICAPS, said in a statement clients could now make a health insurance claim “by simply holding their iPhone or Apple Watch near any HICAPS terminal in Australia – creating a true digital wallet experience”.
“Customers can also pay for gap payments simply and securely using Apple Pay,” the statement read.
Apple Pay internet services VP Jennifer Bailey said health insurance firms would make up more than 60% of the market in Australia.
“Australia was already was a very strong market for Apple Pay and contactless but I do think the pandemic has increased that adoption even further,” Ms. Bailey said.
Health insurance cards have not yet been added to Samsung or Google digital wallets.
The move comes as Apple attempts to strengthen its position in Australia’s cashless payments industry.
Apple Pay has more than 100 partners, including each significant Australian bank, fintech, and niche payment provider, leading retailers, and corporates with co-brand cards as well as buy-now-pay-later prodivers.
Bupa managing director Emily Amos disclosed to ETFM the demand for the change was customer-led.
“We know our customers are using iPhone and Apple Watch to buy groceries, tap on to public transport and pay for their morning coffees, so it’s no surprise that they now expect to be able to make their Bupa claims with a quick tap of their device,” she said.
“We’re always looking to enhance our products and services so they are both good for our customers and good for our planet. With Bupa digital membership cards now available in Apple Wallet, we’re pleased to be reducing the amount of paper and plastic used in the claiming process, while also providing a secure way to make a claim and pay.”