For every small business, there comes a time when the need for reliable credit card processing becomes greater than the desire to keep things as they are— in other words, there comes a time when not accepting credit cards is no longer an option. If you find yourself in that position, you may be feeling a little in over your head from looking into the variety of options that define this big market. What’s the best credit card processing company? Do I need a merchant account? Do I need mobile credit card processing? What about eCommerce? If you’ve got these and other questions, allow Moolah to give you a short, simple checklist of the five most important things to consider.
#1: The Fees
It’s all about the fees. Some companies can be incredibly opaque about the whole gamut of fees that may be charged. Interchange fees (the percent charged per transaction) are usually stated upfront. Still, these basic fees can often be affected by things like type of card accepted, number of transactions processed, and other factors. Also check carefully for monthly statement fees, setup fees, monthly minimum fees, and termination fees for contracted services.
The good news is that at Moolah, we have a very simply, pay-as-you-go payment structure – the greater of 2.69% + $0.29 or $19.95 per month – and no setup or termination fees!
#2: Setup Time
Companies like Stripe, who are aggregators, are able to have a relatively streamlined application process— sometimes easy enough to complete in a short sitting.
Other companies, like Moolah, who offer a dedicated merchant account, need a little time to approve the application, lengthening the process a little. But this is beneficial in other ways. For one, they are able to provide faster payment processing. In Moolah’s case, we can get your funds into your account with next-day processing if you wanted it. Definitely not possible with the average aggregator.
#3: Payment types accepted
The most straight-forward strategy for accepting payment types: don’t limit your customer. That’s why it’s wise to know precisely what your processor can accept, and if possible, strive to accept all major credit cards. Don’t stop there— accepting EBT and prepaid cards may fit into your customers’ needs too.
#4: The Tech
New technologies are totally transforming the market. NFC, or near-field communication payments (think Apple Pay) are rapidly gaining traction, and are fast on their way to becoming the norm as more and more retailers jump on the bandwagon. IT comes down to the point of sale. Moolah actually offers a free Poynt Smart Terminal that not only accepts NFC, but also offers a wide range of apps and services that make it a high-tech alternative to the standard old card-swiper.
#5: Customer Support
A big transition, like moving to accept credit cards, takes time and guidance to accomplish successfully. One of the greatest benefits to your business is a partnership with a company you can work with— not just some service provider that you send money to. Moolah’s dedication to customer service has earned us recognition, including a 90% rating for customer service from toptenreviews.com. We make great customer service a priority because we can’t be the best credit card processing company without the best customer service.
Working through these five items can allow you to better match your processing company to your business, and when you’re able to count on the service, and you benefit from the increased payment base, you open your business up to greater success.
Thank you for scheduling. If you have any questions, please contact us at 800-625-1670.
A credit card surcharge is an additional fee added to a transaction when a patient chooses to pay with a credit card. The surcharge is intended to help offset the cost of credit card processing and applies only to eligible credit card transactions.
No. Debit card transactions may not be surcharged under any circumstances, even if the debit card is processed as a credit transaction or entered manually.
Yes. Credit card surcharges may not exceed the merchant’s actual cost of accepting credit cards and are capped at a maximum of 3% of the total transaction amount, in accordance with card-network rules and applicable law.
Yes. Card networks require clear and transparent disclosure of any credit card surcharge. Practices must notify patients through appropriate signage at the practice entrance, point of sale, and anywhere payments are accepted. If payments are accepted online, the surcharge must also be clearly disclosed on the practice’s website.
Yes. Some U.S. states and territories prohibit or restrict credit card surcharging. Practices are responsible for understanding and complying with their state’s specific requirements before implementing a surcharge.
No. While Moolah provides tools and general guidance to support credit card surcharging, compliance with all applicable laws and card-network rules is the responsibility of the merchant. Moolah does not provide legal advice and assumes no liability for a merchant’s compliance.
Most major credit card networks permit surcharging when done in accordance with their rules, but additional requirements or restrictions may apply. Practices should ensure they have completed all required network notifications and disclosures prior to enabling surcharging.
Failure to comply with surcharging rules may result in card-network fines, required refunds, or other enforcement actions. Practices should ensure they fully understand all applicable requirements before applying a surcharge.
Flex does not currently offer built-in support for credit card surcharging. If a practice chooses to enroll in a surcharge plan, payments would need to be processed through Moolah’s payment platform, which is designed to support surcharging and integrates directly with Open Dental.
If you are considering introducing a credit card surcharge for your patients, it is important to understand that there are specific rules and regulations that must be followed when enrolling in and operating under a surcharge plan.
This article provides a general overview of common surcharging requirements. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is the responsibility of each merchant to review, understand, and comply with all applicable laws, card-network rules, and regulatory requirements, including notification timeframes, signage requirements, surcharge percentage limits, and jurisdictions where surcharging is prohibited.
If you are unsure about the laws or regulations applicable to your practice, you should consult with qualified legal counsel. Moolah assumes no liability for a merchant’s compliance or non-compliance with credit card surcharging rules or regulations.
Transparent Communication
Card networks, including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express, require merchants to clearly and transparently disclose when a credit card surcharge is applied.
Practices must clearly notify patients of a credit card surcharge through appropriate signage placed at the practice entrance, at the point of sale or terminal, and anywhere payments are accepted. If payments are accepted online, surcharge disclosures must also be clearly visible on the practice’s website. All disclosures must inform patients that the surcharge applies only to credit card transactions.
Surcharge Limits
Credit card surcharges must comply with both card-network rules and applicable law. The surcharge amount may not exceed the merchant’s actual cost of accepting credit cards and may not exceed 3% of the total transaction amount.
Card-network rules cap credit card surcharges at 3%, meaning that if a merchant’s processing costs exceed this amount, the excess portion cannot be passed on to the patient.
Network and State Restrictions
The major credit card networks, such as Visa and Mastercard, impose specific requirements related to surcharge limits, advance notification, and disclosure.
In addition, several U.S. states and territories regulate or prohibit credit card surcharging. At the time of writing, credit card surcharging is prohibited in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and Puerto Rico. Other states, including Colorado, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, and New York, impose restrictions on surcharge amounts or require specific disclosures.
If your practice operates in a state that restricts or prohibits credit card surcharging, you must fully understand and comply with those requirements before implementing a surcharge.
Debit card transactions may never be surcharged, even if the debit card is processed as a credit transaction.
Applicability
Credit card surcharges may be applied only to credit card transactions. Other payment types, including debit cards and alternative payment methods, are not eligible for surcharging.
Regulatory Compliance
Merchants are responsible for maintaining ongoing compliance with all applicable card-network and legal requirements. This includes meeting advance notification obligations, using compliant signage and disclosures, adhering to surcharge percentage limits, and respecting jurisdiction-specific restrictions.
By following these guidelines, dental practices can implement credit card surcharging in a way that aligns with card-network rules and promotes transparency with patients. Clear and upfront communication helps maintain patient trust and supports a positive payment experience.