In Atlas.md, bank payments are recommended because they generally cost your clinic less to process, provide faster access to funds, can be connected securely in a few steps, and are less likely than cards to need routine replacement.
Bank payments use ACH, the US network that moves money directly between bank accounts.
Lower Processing Costs
Every online payment has a processing cost. When the same patient payment is made by ACH instead of credit or debit card, it can cost your clinic about half as much to process.
Your clinic does not need separate prices or billing plans for bank and card payments. It simply costs less to accept the same payment from a bank account.
See current payment-processing rates.
Faster Access to ACH Funds
Funds from ACH payments become available in your Stripe balance in two business days, giving your clinic faster access to funds from bank payments.
Faster, Easier Bank Setup
Your clinic can send the patient a secure request by email or SMS, or the patient can connect an account through the Patient Hub. The patient continues through Stripe’s secure bank flow, signs in to their bank, and chooses the account they want to use.
When instant verification is available, the account is verified in real time and can be used in Atlas.md immediately.
Patients can also verify their account manually using microdeposits. This usually takes one to two business days and remains available as a fallback.
Patients Connect Securely
Patients connect through Stripe’s secure bank flow, either by signing in to their bank directly or by entering their account details into Stripe rather than giving them to your clinic. Your clinic does not need to collect or handle the patient’s bank login details or full account number.
Once connected, staff can see the account holder’s name, bank name, last four digits, and the account’s verification status.
More Dependable for Ongoing Payments
Credit and debit cards expire and are sometimes reissued or replaced. Bank accounts do not have expiration dates and are generally changed less often.
For subscriptions, payment plans, and other ongoing charges, this can reduce interruptions caused by an expired or replaced card.
Bank payments can still fail, but they avoid one common reason recurring card payments break: changing card details.
What “Recommended” Means
Recommended does not mean required. Atlas.md supports both bank and card payments, and patients can use the option that makes sense for them.
Instant verification does not make the payment itself instant. Funds become available in your Stripe balance in two business days, while payment confirmation typically takes three to four business days. Payout timing is separate and may vary.
