PaySec + DrChrono: iPad-First EHR Meets Zero-Fee Payment Processing
How modern medical practices using DrChrono are eliminating credit card processing fees on patient collections with PaySec's Network Offset Pricing.
DrChrono revolutionized practice management with its iPad-first approach — giving physicians a modern, mobile EHR with integrated billing, scheduling, and patient engagement. As one of the first cloud-native, mobile-first EHR platforms, DrChrono attracted forward-thinking practices that value technology and efficiency. But DrChrono's built-in payment processing still charges standard rates on every patient payment, creating a cost center that grows with every new patient seen.
PaySec's integration brings Network Offset Pricing to DrChrono practices — maintaining the sleek, modern workflow while eliminating the processing cost on copays, balances, and self-pay collections.
How Network Offset Pricing Works with DrChrono
Network Offset Pricing (NOP) gives patients two transparent payment options at every collection point. Whether paying a copay at check-in, settling a balance through the OnPatient portal, or completing a mobile check-in payment, the patient sees both a cash/ACH price and a card price.
For example, on a $150 office visit copay:
- Cash/check/ACH: $150.00
- Credit/debit card: $156.00
The patient selects their preferred payment method. Either way, your practice receives the full $150. This dual pricing approach is legal in all 50 states, fully compliant with Visa and Mastercard rules, and requires no contracts from PaySec. HIPAA compliance is built in, with a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) available for every healthcare merchant account.
DrChrono Payment Costs Today
DrChrono's integrated payment processing charges:
| Transaction Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Card-present (terminal) | 2.5% + $0.10 |
| Card-not-present (portal/keyed) | 3.3% + $0.30 |
| ACH | 1.0% |
Example: Primary care practice, 4 providers
| Collection Type | Monthly Volume | Rate | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copays (terminal) | $14,000 | 2.5% | $350 |
| Patient balances (portal) | $22,000 | 3.3% | $726 |
| Self-pay visits | $8,000 | 2.5% | $200 |
| Total | $44,000 | — | $1,276 |
Annual processing cost: $15,312
How PaySec Works with DrChrono
In-Office Collections
PaySec provides NOP-enabled terminals that complement DrChrono's iPad-based workflow:
- Patient checks in on iPad → copay amount pulled from appointment
- PaySec terminal displays: "$35 cash/check or $36.40 card"
- Patient taps or inserts card (or pays cash)
- Payment posts to DrChrono patient account
Patient Portal (OnPatient)
DrChrono's patient portal (OnPatient) integrates PaySec for online payments:
- Patient receives balance notification
- Portal payment page shows both options:
- Bank transfer: $185.00
- Credit/Debit card: $192.40
- Patient pays, balance updates in DrChrono automatically
Mobile Check-In
DrChrono's mobile check-in flow incorporates PaySec:
- Patient completes check-in on their phone
- Copay collection page displays dual pricing
- Payment processed before the patient even reaches the front desk
- Reduces check-in time and front desk workload
iPad-Native Experience
DrChrono practices chose the platform for its modern, paperless approach. PaySec maintains that experience:
- No bulky terminals — sleek, modern payment hardware
- Contactless payments — tap-to-pay with NOP pricing displayed
- Digital receipts — emailed automatically, no paper
- Integrated workflow — payments sync without manual entry
Specialty Practice Savings
| Specialty | Monthly Patient Payments | Annual Savings with PaySec |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Care (4 providers) | $44,000 | $15,312 |
| Dermatology | $65,000 | $22,620 |
| Orthopedics | $85,000 | $29,580 |
| Pediatrics | $30,000 | $10,440 |
| Urgent Care | $55,000 | $19,140 |
Patient Experience
DrChrono practices serve tech-savvy patients who expect a modern experience. Dual pricing fits naturally:
- Clean, professional display on terminal screen
- No surprise fees — both options visible before payment
- Apple Pay and Google Pay supported (at card price)
- HSA/FSA cards accepted (often at lower interchange)
Technical Integration
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| DrChrono Plan | All plans (Prometheus, Hippocrates, Apollo) |
| Integration | API-based payment sync |
| Terminal | NOP-enabled contactless terminal |
| PCI Scope | SAQ-A / SAQ B-IP |
| HIPAA | Compliant (BAA available) |
| iPad Compatible | Yes — works alongside iPad workflow |
| OnPatient Portal | Supported |
| Reporting | Synced to DrChrono financial reports |
Who Benefits Most?
While any DrChrono practice will benefit from PaySec, certain practice profiles see the largest impact:
- Multi-provider primary care groups with high daily patient volumes generating consistent copay and balance collections
- Dermatology practices with significant cosmetic revenue where patients pay out-of-pocket for elective procedures
- Orthopedic practices collecting large copays and coinsurance from high-deductible plan patients
- Urgent care clinics on DrChrono where nearly 100% of patients pay by card at the time of visit
- Cash-pay and concierge practices collecting full visit fees directly from patients without insurance intermediation
If your DrChrono practice processes more than $20,000/month in patient payments, the annual savings with PaySec will meaningfully impact your bottom line.
Getting Started
- Sign up for PaySec (healthcare-specific merchant account)
- Receive NOP terminal hardware
- Connect PaySec to your DrChrono account
- Configure patient portal payment page
- Brief staff on dual pricing display
- Start collecting copays and balances at zero cost
Setup typically takes under one hour for existing DrChrono practices. PaySec requires no contracts, no volume minimums, and provides PCI Level 1 security. Approval takes 3-5 business days, and a HIPAA-compliant BAA is included with every healthcare merchant account.
PaySec + DrChrono: the iPad-age EHR paired with next-generation payment processing. Modern practice, modern payments, zero fees.