When a patient pays by Bank/ACH in Adit Pay, whether for a payment plan, a subscription, or a one-time payment, their bank account has to be verified before it can be charged. Verification confirms the patient actually owns the account, and helps prevent failed payments and fraud.

This guide explains how that verification works today, and where Bank/ACH can be used.

What is ACH, and why does Adit offer it?

ACH (Automated Clearing House) is the electronic network US banks use to move money directly between bank accounts, the same system behind direct deposit paychecks and automatic bill payments. When a patient pays by ACH, the funds are withdrawn from their checking or savings account and processed through the ACH network. After the payment clears (typically within 1 to 4 business days), the funds are received by the payment processor. They are then transferred to the practice's bank account according to the practice's configured payout schedule, without using a card network like Visa or Mastercard.

Adit offers it as a payment option for three reasons:

Cheaper on larger balances 0.5% + $1.75, so the cost barely moves as the amount goes up

Built for recurring The same rail that already runs direct deposit and autopay

No fee for the patient A bank payment never carries a Convenience Fee, so the patient pays the exact balance

What it costs, and when it is worth using

The ACH cost of 0.5% + $1.75 is charged to the practice and is never shown to the patient. Because the fixed part is larger than a card's and the percentage is much smaller, ACH is the cheaper option on bigger balances and the more expensive one on small ones. The turning point is around $60 against an online or Text to Pay card payment, and around $90 against a card taken on the terminal.

This is why Bank/ACH matters most on treatment plans and large balances, and why it is worth offering even to patients who would otherwise reach for a card.

Where Bank/ACH is available

Bank/ACH has expanded beyond its original scope, so it is worth knowing both what it covers and where it does not reach.

How verification works

Three steps, completed in seconds:

1. Select your bank The patient picks their bank from a list on the payment page

2. Log in securely Through a bank-hosted window, powered by Stripe Financial Connections. Adit never sees the credentials

3. Verified instantly The account is confirmed right away, and the payment can be submitted immediately

This method works with any bank supported by Stripe Financial Connections, which covers more than 97% of US bank accounts, and requires the patient to have online banking access with a supported bank. Verification is instant, but the payment itself still settles over the ACH network, typically within 1 to 4 business days.

If a patient's bank is not supported

Secure bank login covers more than 97% of US bank accounts, but if a patient's specific bank is not supported, or they would rather not link it this way, there is no manual fallback today. In that case, the patient can pay by card instead, and a Convenience Fee may apply depending on your Preferences settings.

FAQs

Which payments can be made via Bank/ACH?

Payment plans and subscriptions, plus one-time payments sent through Quick Text, Collect Payment, or a Text-to-pay link. Bank/ACH is available for US practices only.

Do convenience fees apply to bank payments?

No. Convenience fees never apply to Bank/ACH payments, regardless of the location's settings. The patient pays the exact balance, and the practice absorbs the ACH processing cost.

This is one of the ways a patient can avoid a Convenience Fee, alongside cash and check. A card payment carries the fee wherever it is taken, including on a terminal in the office. See How are convenience fees different from surcharges.

Is the patient's banking login shared with my practice or Adit?

No. The login happens inside a secure, bank-hosted window powered by Stripe Financial Connections. Neither your practice nor Adit ever sees the patient's banking credentials.

How many bank accounts can a patient save?

One bank account at a time. To add a different one, the patient (or practice) needs to remove the existing account first.

What if my patient's bank is not supported for verification?

There is no manual fallback today. The patient can pay by card instead, and a Convenience Fee may apply depending on your Preferences settings.

Is there a fee to add or verify a bank account?

No. Adding and verifying is always free. The 0.5% + $1.75 transaction cost only applies once an actual payment is processed, and it is charged to the practice.

Is Bank/ACH always cheaper than a card?

No. Because ACH has a larger fixed component, a card is cheaper on small balances. The turning point is around $60 against an online card payment and around $90 against a card taken on the terminal. Above that, ACH is cheaper and the gap widens quickly: a $1,000 balance costs $6.75 by bank against $29.30 by card online.

Is Bank/ACH available outside the US?

Not currently. Bank/ACH is available for US practices only; a Canadian location will never see the Bank option, regardless of settings.