Why ‘Treat Now, Pay Later’ Is the Healthcare Innovation We Should Be Talking About

By Mr. Yogesh Majithiya, Director & CFO at HealthFinit

Healthcare access in underserved regions is not just inadequate—it’s fundamentally broken. Millions delay or forego treatment simply because they can’t afford to pay upfront. In a world that has made strides in telemedicine, AI diagnostics, and robotic surgeries, it’s appalling that the basic act of paying for treatment still determines who gets care and who doesn’t.

That’s why it’s time we shift our focus. While the industry celebrates the next big medical breakthrough, the real revolution may come from an unlikely source: financial innovation. More specifically, the rise of “Treat Now, Pay Later” (TNPL)—a model that removes the barrier of upfront payment and allows patients to access care immediately, repaying in zero-interest installments over time.

And no, this isn’t just another fintech gimmick. It’s a game-changer for global health equity.

Why the Current System Fails the Underserved

In emerging economies, healthcare is often a luxury. Out-of-pocket expenses are the norm. Insurance penetration is painfully low. Providers are stretched thin and often struggle with cash flow. Patients delay treatment not because they want to, but because they must.

This isn’t a failure of medicine. It’s a failure of the systems surrounding it. And if we want real progress, we need to fix what stands between people and care: cost, access, and trust.

The Case for Treat Now, Pay Later

TNPL addresses this head-on. It allows patients to receive treatment immediately and pay over time, without interest, without hidden fees, and without bureaucracy.

It’s enabled by technology—real-time credit assessments, digital onboarding, and seamless loan processing—and it opens healthcare access to people who’ve never had a credit score, let alone insurance.

More importantly, TNPL doesn’t just serve patients—it helps providers too. Hospitals and clinics get paid upfront, easing their cash flow and enabling them to focus on care instead of collections. It’s a win-win.

Financial Inclusion Is Health Inclusion

Let’s be honest: without financial access, all the medical innovation in the world is irrelevant to a huge portion of the population. TNPL reframes the conversation—from one that’s centered on charity or subsidy, to one of dignity and choice. It doesn’t just “help the poor”—it empowers people to make health decisions on their terms.

And yes, there are risks: credit defaults, regulatory hurdles, cultural discomfort with debt. But these are solvable. What we can’t afford is to let fear prevent us from embracing a solution that could radically shift how care is delivered in the places that need it most.

What Comes Next

If we’re serious about healthcare equity, TNPL deserves the same attention that digital health platforms and AI diagnostics receive. But it needs support:

• Governments must create regulatory frameworks that support cross-sector models like TNPL.
• Financial institutions should step up with inclusive underwriting and risk-sharing mechanisms.
• Healthcare providers must see this not as a financial tool, but as a clinical enabler.
• Communities need education, not just about how TNPL works, but why it exists.

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Final Thought

We often talk about the future of healthcare in terms of technology, breakthroughs, and billion-dollar ventures. But sometimes, the most impactful innovation is simple: let people get treated when they need it, and let them pay when they can.

“Treat Now, Pay Later” may not be flashy. But it’s what underserved communities have been waiting for. And it’s time we listened.