Pay by Bank gives patients another convenient way to pay their balance through Practice by Numbers. Instead of using a credit or debit card, patients can pay directly from a U.S. bank account using ACH Direct Debit.
Pay by Bank is available both in the patient payment portal and when your team collects a payment through Charge Patient.
Because ACH payments are processed through the banking network, they take longer to settle than card payments. ACH payments typically take 2–4 business days to settle, and funds are deposited into your practice account 5 business days after you receive the payment.
Why Use Pay by Bank?
Pay by Bank can be especially useful when collecting larger balances, such as treatment plan payments or outstanding patient balances.
It also provides patients with another payment option when they prefer not to use a credit or debit card.
Unlike card payments, surcharges do not apply to Pay by Bank transactions.
Where Is Pay by Bank Available?
Pay by Bank is available in several areas of Practice by Numbers:
Patient Payment Portal — Patients can select Pay by Bank when paying through their payment link.
Charge Patient — Practice staff can select Pay by Bank when collecting a payment.
Manage Bank Accounts — Staff can view and manage bank accounts linked to a patient.
Payment Methods — Staff can view saved bank accounts alongside saved cards for an individual patient.
How Patients Pay by Bank
When patients open their Practice by Numbers payment link, they can choose between Card and Pay by Bank.
If the Patient Does Not Have a Bank Account Saved
After selecting Pay by Bank, the patient enters:
Account type: Checking or Savings
Account holder name
Routing number
Account number
Account number confirmation
After the patient enters a valid routing number, the associated bank name appears so they can confirm the bank information.
Before submitting the payment, the patient must review the ACH authorization disclosure. Patients can also select Save this bank account if they would like to use the account for future payments.
After selecting Pay Now, the patient will see: Payment submitted — processing in 2–4 business days.
This message is expected. Unlike card payments, ACH payments cannot be confirmed as fully settled immediately.
If the Patient Has a Saved Bank Account
If one bank account is saved, it is automatically selected when the patient chooses Pay by Bank. The patient can use the saved account or select Use a new bank account to enter different bank information.
If multiple accounts have been saved, the patient can choose which account to use or enter a new one.
Collecting a Pay by Bank Payment for a Patient
Practice staff can also collect ACH payments directly through the Charge Patient window.
Open Charge Patient for the patient.
Select Pay by Bank as the payment method.
Select an existing bank account or enter a new bank account.
Review the ACH authorization disclosure with the patient and confirm the patient acknowledges it.
Complete the payment.
Once the bank payment has been authorized, the confirmation screen will indicate that the bank payment was successfully authorized.
Remember that authorization does not mean the payment has settled. The payment will remain pending while it moves through the ACH network.
How Long Do ACH Payments Take?
ACH payments do not settle immediately.
Stage | Typical Timing |
Payment submitted | Immediately |
ACH settlement | 2–4 business days |
Deposit to practice account | 5 business days after payment is received |
While the payment is being processed, it will appear as Settlement Pending.
Once the bank successfully settles the payment, its status changes to Paid.
Important Information About Pay by Bank
Pay by Bank is currently available for one-time payments only. It cannot be used for payment plans at this time.
Pay by Bank is available only for U.S.-based patients and U.S. bank accounts.
You must acknowledge ACH authorization before a bank payment can be processed.
Bank account information is securely stored and encrypted. Practice by Numbers does not display full bank account numbers after they are entered.
Pay by Bank Fees
Your practice's Pay by Bank fees can be viewed under: Settings → Payment Services
Look for the Pay by Bank column in your fee table.
Rates may vary based on your practice's payment model and payment category. Contact Practice by Numbers Support or your account manager if you have questions about your specific rates.