Insurers, banks keep expanding medical credit offerings

As we've reported here previously, insurers and banks are continuing to expand their credit offerings, which are usually though not always aimed at helping consumers cope with large deductibles. 

For example, there's Aetna, which is working with Bank of America to offer a credit card card offering health spending incentives; UnitedHealth Group, which is looking at offering consumer credit lines for use in paying medical bills; and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. While some plans have outsourced the credit offering to outside banking industry vendors, and not attempting to profit substantially, others are directly involved and see the credit lines as a new profit center. Analysts and observers say the trend is just emerging--and that health plan execs are "rushing" into this line of business in a race not to lose position in this new niche.

To find out more about this trend:
- read this Orlando Business Journal piece

Related Articles:
Trend: Consumer medical finance market grows. Report
Patients paying medical bills with credit cards. Report