Credit Card Processing for Medical Practices

Check the payment setup before you switch

Start with three representative statements and the payment methods you need to keep. Ask for the complete written account cost, including monthly charges, online payment costs and equipment terms. A standalone terminal is not the same as an integration with your business software.

What card fees take from medical practices

More cost falls to the patient Higher deductibles leave patients paying more for each visit, often by card.

Recurring direct-care payments Monthly memberships bill stored cards. Each payment carries a processing fee.

EFT covers the insurer's share The card fee applies to what the patient pays. A $2,000 procedure balance costs $70.80 to process.

Card costs using the 3.54% benchmark

Copay ($40): $1.42 in processing cost.

Cash-pay visit ($350): $12.39 in processing cost.

Procedure balance ($2,000): $70.80 in processing cost.

Monthly card sales ($90,000): $3,186 in processing costs. 3.54% is BlueFinch clients' average all-in effective rate before switching. These are calculated examples, not promised savings.

What's included in the offer

Properly configured, eligible credit and debit card transactions can use a 0% merchant processing rate. BlueFinch provides a free standalone terminal without an equipment lease, long-term contract or cancellation fee, plus signage and help getting started.

Monthly, PCI, gateway, batch, chargeback and other fees specific to your account may still apply. State law, underwriting, network rules, the processor or acquirer, payment channels and customer-facing prices determine the exact program.

Using both prices in daily work

Estimate the patient's portion: Show cash and card prices for the patient balance on the estimate.

Explain during check-in: Discuss payment choices when patients check in, before storing a card.

Take the chosen payment: Patients select cash, check or ACH, or use credit or debit at the card price.

Match the account: Post each payment to the correct account with an amount matching the deposit.

Likely to suit you

Patients use cards for meaningful balances

You offer cash-pay services or memberships

Front-desk staff give a consistent explanation

Your practice software can display both prices

Check these first

Most receipts are insurer EFT payments

Payer contracts or state rules restrict patient prices

Existing stored-card plans can't be repriced

Your software can't keep amounts consistent

Answers for business owners

Is dual pricing an option for medical practices? Many use it. Payer contracts and state rules vary, so we'll review both with you before changing the setup.

What about HSA and FSA cards? Confirm benefit-card acceptance, eligible purchases and pricing with your processor before launch. Do not assume every HSA or FSA card follows the same account terms.

Can we keep our practice software? Most practice-management systems work alongside the terminal. We'll check your system before making changes.

Does 0% cover every fee? An approved dual-pricing account gives eligible credit and debit card sales a 0% merchant rate. Before you sign, your written terms list any fees specific to your account.

Can I use it in my state? Yes. We work in all 50 states, each with its own card-pricing rules. We set up your prices and signs to fit the rules where your business operates.

Can I keep my POS? Yes. Some POS systems require their own merchant account and charge a much higher rate to cover the software. If yours works that way, we'll explain your options.

How soon can I switch? In minutes once you're approved. Plug in your terminal, connect to Wi‑Fi and start taking cards.

Check the numbers and the rules.

• 2026 processing cost report

  Inspect the 3.54% BlueFinch benchmark, calculation method and dated primary sources.

• Merchant statement decoder

  Use settled card volume and all fees from the same statement period.

Primary references

• Visa: cash discounts and card-acceptance rules

  Visa permits a cash discount as a reduction from the standard price. Its surcharge rules are a separate program; your acquirer agreement and local requirements also apply.

• Mastercard: credit-card surcharge rules

  Mastercard distinguishes credit-card surcharges from debit and prepaid transactions. Do not treat a surcharge and a posted cash/card price program as interchangeable.