Welcome to this month’s iStream newsletter, where payments meet progress!
From proposed legislation reshaping healthcare benefits to innovations in AI and payment platforms, we’re keeping a close eye on the trends that matter most to businesses like yours. In this issue, explore the new CHOICE rebrand for ICHRAs, key developments in healthcare and B2B payments, and catch up on iStream’s latest events and resources.
Industry News & Insights
A newly proposed bill aims to modernize HSAs and encourage broader adoption of Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs), now rebranded as Custom Health Option and Individual Care Expense (CHOICE) arrangements.
The goal: greater flexibility for employers and employees in managing healthcare costs.
While iStream doesn’t administer ICHRA plans, we support ICHRA providers with seamless payment integration, making it easier to manage contributions and reimbursements with speed and accuracy.
More News
🩺 Simplifying Healthcare Payments
Streamlined payment platforms improve cash flow, efficiency, and relationships in the healthcare space. See the 4 must-have features of modern healthcare payments.
Read more
💳 Credit Tops Debit (Again)
Credit card use continues to rise over debit, signaling the need for flexible payment options. But ACH remains a dependable B2B solution.
Read more
🤖 AI in Payments
Visa and Mastercard are piloting AI agents to streamline payments and spot fraud. It’s a sign of where the future is headed—and we’re watching closely.
Read more
Resources
Bad Payment Processor? 6 Reasons to Switch to iStream
Inconsistent settlement times, bad customer service, outages, and reconciliation issues. If you’re familiar with these challenges, you might have the wrong payment processor.
Fast and efficient payment processing is a critical part of any business, but many providers fall short in delivering the reliability, speed, and support that your business needs to thrive.
At iStream, we address the most common pain points users experience with other processors and provide tailored solutions to ensure your payment operations run seamlessly, making it easier to run your business.
Highlights
BizTimes Media Biz Expo in Brookfield
We had a fantastic time connecting with fellow Milwaukee-area professionals, learning from other businesses, and sharing how iStream is helping organizations simplify and streamline payments at this year’s BizTimes Media BizExpo!
Thank you to everyone who stopped by Booth #608! We enjoyed the conversations, questions, and new connections.
Smarter Faster Payments 2025
Our EVP of Business Strategy, Melody Lashmar, recently attended Nacha’s Smarter, Faster Payments conference, one of the industry’s leading events for payment innovation.
From emerging technologies to real-time payments, the conference offered incredible insights into the future of financial services. Melody connected with industry leaders and brought back valuable takeaways to help iStream continue delivering smarter, faster, and more flexible payment solutions.
Product Spotlight
ICHRA (Soon to be CHOICE Arrangement) Solution
iStream’s ICHRA or CHOICE arrangement solution simplifies the process of reimbursing employees for their individual health plan premiums. Designed to integrate with existing ICHRA/CHOICE providers, this service handles disbursements with accuracy, timeliness, and compliance in mind, all while keeping employers and participants informed.
💡 How It Works:
- Employers Sponsor an ICHRA/CHOICE plan
- Employees enroll in ICHRA Plan
- iStream assigns an employee account for premium payments
- Employers fund Premium disbursement account
- Carriers debit employee premium accounts to fund insurance coverage
- iStream processes ACH activity and provides real-time visibility and advanced reporting
Features:
- Automated Reimbursement Processing
- Secure Fund Disbursement
- Detailed Reporting & Reconciliation
- Employer Contribution Tracking
- Seamless Integration with ICHRA/CHOICE Administrators
Built to support modern healthcare benefits, PRS reduces administrative burden, minimizes delays, and improves the overall experience for both employers and employees.
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