Compliant surcharging for dental practices
Surcharging is legal in 48 states. But doing it wrong can result in fines, chargebacks, and patient complaints. Summit handles compliance so you don't have to.
What is compliant surcharging
Surcharging is the practice of charging a customer a fee when they choose to pay by credit card instead of cash or another payment method. When done correctly, surcharging is legal and explicitly approved by Visa and Mastercard.
The key to compliance is transparency. Your patients must know the surcharge exists before they swipe the card. Signage, receipts, and checkout communication all need to follow specific rules. Summit handles every requirement so your practice stays in the clear.
Surcharging vs. cash discount vs. dual pricing
Surcharging
Most transparent
You set a base price. Credit card customers pay the base price plus a disclosed surcharge fee. This fee is shown at checkout and on the receipt. Visa and Mastercard explicitly approve this method.
Fully approved by card brands
Cash Discount
Alternative approach
You set a cash price (lower). Credit card customers pay more. The difference is framed as a "discount" for paying cash instead of an "add-on" for cards. Legally distinct from surcharging but requires different signage.
Legal but more complex
Dual Pricing
Not recommended
You advertise two prices: one for cash, one for credit. This creates customer confusion and regulatory headaches. Most card brands restrict dual pricing in their terms.
Heavily restricted
State-by-state rules
Surcharging is legal in 48 states. Only Connecticut and Massachusetts prohibit it outright. Some states like Colorado have specific requirements Summit is already set up for.
48 states
Surcharging is legal with proper disclosure and compliance procedures.
Connecticut & Massachusetts
Surcharging prohibited. You can implement cash discount instead.
Colorado (and others)
Surcharging legal but with specific signage, disclosure, and registration requirements. Summit manages state-specific compliance automatically.
How Summit keeps you compliant
Proper Disclosure
We provide signage templates and point-of-sale display language that meets Visa, Mastercard, and state requirements. Your patients see the surcharge before they pay.
Receipt Formatting
Every receipt shows the base charge, the surcharge amount, and the total. Receipts are formatted to comply with card brand requirements and state regulations.
Card Brand Notification
Visa and Mastercard require that processors notify them of surcharging programs. Summit handles this notification for you. Your compliance is on record with the card brands.
State Registration
States that require surcharge program registration are handled by Summit. If Colorado or another state has specific requirements, we manage them automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Can dentists charge patients a credit card surcharge?
Yes, in 48 states. Surcharging is explicitly permitted by Visa and Mastercard. The requirements are straightforward: disclose the surcharge before the transaction, show it on the receipt, and follow state-specific rules if they exist. Summit handles all of this automatically so your practice stays compliant.
What states prohibit surcharging?
Connecticut and Massachusetts prohibit credit card surcharging entirely. If your practice is in either state, you can still recover card fees using a cash discount program, which is legal in those states. Summit can implement either approach based on your location.
Do patients complain about surcharges?
Most practices report minimal patient friction when surcharges are implemented with proper signage and transparency. Patients appreciate seeing exactly what they are paying and why. Practices that implement surcharges without clear communication or surprise patients at the register do experience pushback. Summit's compliance approach prioritizes transparency, which keeps patient relationships intact.
What's the difference between surcharging and cash discount?
Surcharging adds a disclosed fee to credit card transactions. You show the patient the base price and the card fee separately. Cash discount offers a lower price for non-card payment. You show the discounted cash price and the higher card price. Only surcharging is explicitly approved by Visa and Mastercard. Cash discount is legal in states where surcharging is prohibited, like Connecticut and Massachusetts.
What happens if I don't disclose the surcharge properly?
Non-compliance can result in chargebacks (customers disputing the charge with their bank), fines from card brands, state regulatory action, and patient complaints. Visa and Mastercard actively monitor surcharge compliance. Summit's system ensures your disclosures are correct at every transaction, protecting your practice from these risks.
Can I surcharge on all card types?
You can surcharge on Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. American Express has different rules that restrict surcharging. Summit's system applies surcharges only to compliant card types, so you never accidentally violate American Express terms.
Stop leaving card fees on the table
Surcharging is legal, approved by card brands, and proven to work in dental practices. Let Summit handle the compliance so you can focus on your patients.
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