BRIDGING FINTECH AND HEALTHTECH: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY FRAMEWORK LINKING PAYMENT CARD TECHNOLOGY, MEDICAL BILLING, HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGY, AND CYBERSECURITY

Chris N. Anazia*

The convergence of financial technology (fintech) and healthcare technology (healthtech) is reshaping the global health economy, presenting new opportunities and challenges in payment card systems, medical billing, healthcare informatics, and cybersecurity. This paper proposes an integrated multidisciplinary framework linking these four domains to improve efficiency, transparency, and data integrity in health service delivery. Drawing on a comparative analysis of the United States, Canada, and Nigeria, the study demonstrates how advanced economies and developing nations can mutually benefit from cross-sectoral innovation and governance alignment. In the United States, digital healthcare payments and electronic health records (EHRs) are guided by standards such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). Canada operates under similar frameworks, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), emphasizing privacy, interoperability, and patient-centered care. Nigeria, representing an emerging health economy, faces contrasting realities: fragmented payment systems, low cybersecurity preparedness, and limited health IT adoption. Yet, fintech expansion and mobile payment penetration in Nigeria offer significant potential for leapfrogging traditional systems through integrated digital health innovations. This study employs a mixed approach using secondary data from credible sources, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association (NHCAA), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the World Health Organization (WHO), along with simulated data modeled on Finex Healthcare Analytics & Informatics Consult LLC’s pilot concepts such as the Electronic Prescription Authentication Exchange (EPAX™). Results indicate that harmonizing healthcare billing with fintech security protocols can reduce fraud-related losses by up to 40%, enhance interoperability, and improve service delivery outcomes. The proposed “Secure Digital Health Payment Ecosystem (SDHPE)” framework illustrates how digital financial principles can strengthen healthcare systems globally. The paper concludes that a unified approach to payment technology, billing integrity, and cybersecurity governance is essential for achieving equitable, secure, and sustainable healthcare in both developed and developing contexts.