Why Dentists Pass Transaction Fees to Patients and How It Helps Your Dental Practice
As a patient, you may wonder why there are extra fees when you pay with a credit or debit card at your dental office. These fees, known as transaction fees, can be confusing. This blog will explain what transaction fees are and why they might be passed on to you.
What Are Transaction Fees?
When you pay with a credit or debit card, the payment processor charges a fee. This fee is usually a percentage of the total payment, often between 1% and 3%. These fees can add up quickly, especially for businesses with many transactions.
Why Pass Fees to Patients?
1. Cost Savings for the Practice: Dental practices have many expenses, including staff salaries, equipment, and supplies. By passing transaction fees to patients, dentists can reduce their costs. This helps keep the practice running smoothly and allows them to invest in better equipment and services.
2. Fair Distribution of Costs: Passing transaction fees to patients ensures that those who use card payments cover the costs of the convenience. Patients who pay with cash or checks do not incur these fees, making it fair for everyone.
3. Maintaining Affordable Services: By reducing their costs, dental practices can keep their services affordable for all patients. Instead of raising prices for everyone, only those who choose to pay with cards will cover the transaction fees.
How Does It Work?
When you see a transaction fee added to your bill, it’s simply the cost that the payment processor charges the dental practice. This fee helps cover the cost of using card payment services, which are convenient but come with a price.
A Better Solution: 0% Payment Processing
Some dental practices are now switching to 0% payment processing services. These services eliminate transaction fees, so dentists don’t have to pass the cost to their patients. This means you won’t see extra fees on your bill, making payments simpler and more transparent.
Passing transaction fees to patients helps dental practices manage their costs and keep services affordable. It ensures fair distribution of costs and allows dentists to invest in better care for you. With new solutions like 0% payment processing, we hope to make your experience even better.