What is different about the SIGIS standard than approaches implemented by some retailers?
A retailer may develop its own approach that is compliant with IRS requirements for an IIAS, and then make separate contractual arrangements with individual TPAs or card issuer processors. With the IIAS standard developed by SIGIS, a broad range of participating retailers will be able to implement a solution that is recognized industry-wide, which will enable acceptance of all FSA/HRA payment cards. Likewise, TPAs will implement a common set of procedures that applies to IIAS transactions at participating retailers. Additional values that were not previously provided will be added to the authorization message, allowing administrators greater flexibility in debit card plan design than had been available before, including support for HSA and restricted-HRA plan designs.
