BillingTree said it will enhance the integration of text-based billing and payment into its Careview and Payrazr platforms, and will now operate the service under the name BillingTree SMS, according to a company press release.

The service allows health-care providers, financial services companies, accounts payable and other billers to contact consumers and receive payment directly via text, using two-factor authentication. The technology does not require a mobile app or a payment card to be present.

To make a payment, consumers simply follow text prompts, according to the company, which is offering 6-month free trials for current and existing clients using BillingTree for merchant services.

Text-based billing has been around for many years, but the level of adoption has risen sharply in recent years. Officials said research shows 80 percent of consumers getting a text notification settle their bill balances and 65 percent pay after the first message.