Alipay and Shenzhen Human Resources and Social Security Bureau Win 2016 'Qipu Award' for Pioneering Medical Insurance Mobile Payment Solution

The advent of mobile internet has opened up more possibilities for innovation in the healthcare industry.

Alipay, in partnership with the Shenzhen Human Resources and Social Security Bureau (hereinafter referred to as “Shenzhen HRSSB”), has achieved a breakthrough innovation in the field of medical insurance by closely integrating internet mobile payment technology, security risk control capabilities, and real-name authentication systems, thereby accomplishing its “Olympic-level” milestone.

On December 10, the award ceremony for the 2nd China Health Industry Innovation “Qipu Awards” (2016), hailed as the “Oscars of the Healthcare Industry” in China, was grandly held. Alipay and the Shenzhen Human Resources and Social Security Bureau joined hands to pioneer mobile payment integration with medical insurance across China, setting a benchmark for implementing “Internet+” within the medical insurance system. Standing out from 147 shortlisted projects, they successfully won the annual “Qipu Award” for Innovation in Health Industry Development.

147 out of 9: The Award’s Prestige Rivals the “Oscars”

Although only in its second edition, the “QiPu Awards” have been hailed as the “Oscars of the Healthcare Industry” due to their rigorous selection criteria, professional judging panel, and high profile within the sector. Securing this award is no less challenging than a successful bid for an Oscar.

It is reported that the expert jury for this year’s “Qipu Awards” comprised 37 members, with 147 shortlisted projects across nine categories. Only the top-ranked project in each category was awarded, ensuring that the honors were well-deserved.

Regarding the medical insurance mobile payment project, the jury of the “Qi Pu Award” stated that both parties’ innovations in the field of electronic medical insurance payments have successfully revitalized the mobile healthcare ecosystem and established standards for online payments in medical insurance. They pioneered a scalable and replicable solution for hospital integration in China, which was a key factor in the project’s ultimate award recognition.

Professor Cai Jiangnan, Director of the Center for Health Management and Policy at China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), stated on-site that Alipay has fully leveraged its “technology + finance” capabilities to support internet healthcare. This award may represent a small step for the team on their arduous path of innovation, but for the internet-plus-healthcare sector, which is currently in its takeoff phase, it could signify a crucial leap forward.

As of now, 13 hospitals in Shenzhen have implemented mobile payment for medical insurance, providing patients with a more convenient healthcare experience. Alipay revealed that it plans to expand this service to hospitals in more cities across China in the future.

Furthermore, Alipay will fully open its platform capabilities—including finance, credit, security, data, and its proprietary credit and anti-fraud systems—to partners in the healthcare industry. This initiative aims to empower medical institutions with innovative service management solutions, making healthcare access simpler and more efficient.