Secure Telemedicine Merchant Account and Payment Processing.

Although this sector is becoming increasingly popular, telemedicine payment processing is considered high-risk for several reasons.

• These are typically virtual interactions, which increase the risk of fraud.
• Local, state, and federal governments strictly regulate the telemedicine industry, and non-compliance can lead to penalties or account closures.
• Cashless payments require reliable internet access, so a dropped connection can cause cards to be declined.
• Companies selling medicine may process thousands of high-ticket transactions, which are inherently riskier for processors.
• Recurring billing can be complicated and requires more intensive maintenance.

With our telemedicine merchant accounts, you receive expert support with PCI compliance, chargeback management, and fraud prevention.

Yes, you can accept cashless payments, such as credit cards or ACH payments. However, not every processor accepts telemedicine payments, making it crucial to work with a high-risk merchant processor like Adaptiv.

Although you can find similar services online, we offer a superior, white-glove service that ensures compliance with all regulatory standards.

Working with a specialized merchant processor can have phenomenal ROI for your business. Some of the benefits include:

• HIPAA-compliant transaction processing
• Advanced chargeback mitigation
• Processing gateways with CVV, AVS, and 3D Secure 2.0 technology
• Faster processing times
• Lower transaction fees and setup costs
• Continuous transaction monitoring for next-level fraud prevention
• Personalized customer service with experts

Telehealth businesses are usually classified under one of these MCC codes:

• 8099 – Medical Services & Health Practitioners (most common for telehealth platforms)
• 8011 – Doctors & Physicians (often used for individual provider consultations)
• 5912 – Drug Stores & Pharmacies (if prescriptions are dispensed directly)

In some cases, 5122 (pharmaceutical wholesale) may apply if the business is distributing medications rather than providing care.

The final MCC depends on the merchant’s primary business activity and the acquiring bank’s classification.

You can start there, but it's risky. Stripe lists telemedicine and prescription products as restricted, Square prohibits online pharmacies and subscription offers, and PayPal requires pre-approval. Many telehealth businesses get approved at sign-up and frozen later when volume or disputes grow.

Yes. Your merchant account connects through a payment gateway that works with most telehealth platforms, custom checkouts and ecommerce carts. We confirm your integration during setup.

Most telehealth accounts are approved within a few business days once your documents and website are complete. Missing licenses or website policies are what slow files down, so send everything at once.

The process covers reviewing your application, underwriting your account and connecting it to your platform so you can start processing.

Being approved for a merchant account requires proving your medical credentials and business status. To begin, please provide us with your basic contact information and indicate whether you currently accept credit cards. We’ll offer you an application and request certain documents, which can include:

• Business license
• Employer Identification Number (EIN) or TIN
• Business bank account statements
• Tax returns
• Proof of HIPAA compliance
• State medical licensure
• Medical credentials
• Processing statements from an existing processor, if applicable
• LegitScript certification if you provide pharmaceuticals

We provide superior telemedicine processing for a broad range of businesses, including:

• Virtual pharmacies with VIPPS certification
• Mental health providers and counselors
• Online doctors
• Remote patient monitoring
• Mobile health apps
• Weight loss counselors
• Pain management providers
• Chronic care management
• Medical consultation services
• Remote health coaching
• Virtual laboratory services, like Quest Diagnostics

Yes. Semaglutide and tirzepatide programs with licensed prescribers are approved. Compounded GLP-1 programs are approved with a licensed 503A or 503B pharmacy and compliant marketing. Read our GLP-1 merchant account guide.

Yes. Testosterone is a Schedule III controlled substance, so your prescribers need DEA registration and your prescribing has to follow the telemedicine rules in effect.

Yes. Talk therapy, counseling and psychiatry practices are approved whether you bill per session or by subscription, including practices prescribing ADHD medication with DEA registration.

Often, yes. Underwriters want DEA registrations for every state you prescribe in and a plan for when the DEA's temporary telemedicine rules end on December 31, 2026.

Yes, if your providers are licensed and your website is compliant. Tell us your launch date and expected volume. Startups without processing history may start with lower monthly limits or a reserve that comes down as you build history.

Often, yes. Many telehealth businesses come to us after Stripe or Square froze their account. We look at why it happened and what's changed. We also work with merchants on the MATCH list.

Telehealth is priced as high-risk processing, so rates run above what Stripe or Square advertise. Your rate depends on your chargeback history, monthly volume, average ticket, subscription versus one-time billing and what you prescribe. You see your full terms before you sign.

Your cost has three parts: a percentage of each payment, a small per-transaction fee and any monthly fees. For most clinics and telehealth platforms, the rate matters more than the monthly fees, so work out your cost per visit or per membership. Ask for the full pricing in writing before you sign and compare it with what Stripe or Square would cost if they kept your account open. There are no setup fees with Adaptiv.

No. There are no setup fees or application fees.

It depends on your history and model. New businesses, subscription-heavy models and merchants with past chargeback problems may carry a reserve. Merchants with clean processing history often start with a low reserve or none.

Yes, we are HIPAA compliant. We adhere to PCI security standards and provide advanced fraud prevention software, ensuring that your patient information remains completely safe at all times.

Not for payment processing alone. HHS guidance says covered entities don't need a business associate agreement with a financial institution that only processes payments.

It can. Many states bar companies owned by non-physicians from running a medical practice, so most telehealth businesses use a management company that contracts with a physician-owned practice. Underwriters ask which entity your healthcare providers bill through and which one owns the merchant account, so have that structure clear before you apply.

If you sell or dispense prescription drugs online, yes: card networks require third-party verification such as LegitScript or NABP. If you only bill for consultations it's usually not required, though some banks still ask for it.

The DEA's temporary flexibilities for prescribing controlled substances by telemedicine run through December 31, 2026. Unless the DEA extends them or finalizes its special registration rule, an in-person exam will again be required for new patients.

This industry is considered high-risk due to the higher chargeback ratios resulting from dissatisfied customers or recurring billing issues. You can reduce this ratio through sound business practices, including the following.

• Offer clear and transparent cancellation policies, along with a subscription management platform.
• Ensure that you do not make unsubstantiated health claims.
• Clearly explain what your providers can and cannot diagnose, treat, or manage.
• Develop comprehensive provider biographies that include their education, experience, license numbers, and other relevant qualifications.
• Provide order confirmation emails and remind clients of upcoming appointments.
• Accept a broad range of payment options, such as credit, ACH, FSA, HSA, and insurance billing.
• Clearly explain which insurance providers you work with and whether you accept FSA/HSA.
• Remain consistent in communication and proactively address issues such as late shipments or canceled appointments.
• Securely collect customer data, including addresses, IP addresses, and communications.
• Utilize advanced encryption technology, such as multifactor authentication, CVV or AVS verification, and 3D Secure 2.0.
• Remain compliant with all HIPAA standards and use strong firewalls to prevent identity theft.
• Analyze chargeback data to identify certain trends, such as high chargebacks for certain medications or services, and workshop solutions.

Adaptiv helps you reduce chargeback rates through proactive monitoring, expert support, and strong cybersecurity measures that will keep customers coming back for more treatment.

Yes. Memberships, refill plans and monthly programs are approved. Follow Visa's subscription rules and your states' automatic renewal laws: clear consent, renewal reminders and easy cancellation.

Usually, yes. HSA and FSA cards generally work at merchants with healthcare MCCs such as 8099 and 8011. Whether a specific service is eligible is up to the patient's plan.

Visa's VAMP program flags merchants at a 1.5% fraud-and-dispute ratio with at least 1,500 disputes and fraud reports in a month, and Mastercard starts at 1.5% and 100 chargebacks. Banks usually act well before that, so aim to stay under 1%.