Credit Card Processing Fees

[smeadows177@comcast.net]

Our practice has now started taking credit card payments. Can we charge extra for the cost of the credit card processing fee? For instance a person is paying their copay of $25.00 can we charge a $2.00 processing fee for the transaction for a total of $27.00 that day?

 

[wlf78911]

i think your practice has to put something in writing stating that's the way this practice doing biz with credit card payment and patient okay with it

 

[trarut]

Most of our patient payments come from credit cards. We absorb the fees as a "cost of doing business" and do not pass them along to the patient.

 

[notatthebeach@gmail.com]

I would change banks if they are charging you that much to process a credit card transaction.

 

[sam.anderson@curemd.com]

You should contact your bank instead of using online CC processing services. It is low-cost and will not be a burden to you and your patients.

 

[Deb Jones - CPC]

I'd like to re-open this topic. Is anyone currently charging patients for these credit card transaction fees? We're seeing more local businesses doing this post-COVID. Thanks for any feedback you can provide about what works or doesn't work with this process. Pros/Cons appreciated.

We understand the 'cost of doing business' perspective but want feedback from those who are successful with this or who tried it and decided against it. ANY feedback will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again and Happy Friday!
Deb

 

[CBLENNIE]

Compliance Specialist here.

I would suggestion you check with your Compliance Office or Department on whether you can charge these types of fees to Medicare and Medicaid patients.

You also might need to check if it is allowed by your state regulators on whether you can charge these fees to patients with commercial insurance as well.

Here are couple of interesting websites with information on the rules for charging these fees, including information for each state.

Please note these sites do not mention charging these fees in the healthcare industry so you should still have your Compliance folks look into the issue as I mentioned above.

https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/can-a-business-charge-for-using-credit-card/#surcharge

https://www.lawpay.com/about/blog/credit-card-surcharge-rules/