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. checking or savings account using ACH Direct Debit.
Pay by Bank is available in the Patient Payment Portal, the Patient 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. Funds are deposited into your practice account 3–5 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.
Benefits for Your Practice
Lower processing fees than card payments, which adds up on larger balances.
Another way to collect outstanding balances, both online and at the front desk.
Faster repeat payments when patients save their bank account.
Automatic confirmations: patients receive an email and/or SMS after each payment.
Benefits for Your Patients
No card needed: patients pay directly from their bank account.
No surcharge: surcharges do not apply to Pay by Bank transactions.
Secure bank connection: patients sign in through their own bank, and they never share login credentials with your practice or Practice by Numbers.
Flexible options: patients can pay online through their payment link, from the Patient Portal, or in person at your office.
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 next to Card when paying through their payment link.
Patient Portal — Patients can add a bank account as a saved payment method.
Charge Patient — Practice staff can select Pay by Bank next to Credit / Debit Card when collecting a payment.
Manage Bank Accounts — Staff can view and remove 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
New bank accounts are connected securely through Plaid, a trusted bank connection service. The patient signs in to their own bank, so they don't need to enter routing or account numbers.
The patient selects Pay by Bank, then Use a new bank account.
The patient reviews and checks the ACH authorization disclosure. The Pay Now button becomes available once the box is checked.
The patient selects Pay Now and is taken to Plaid.
Plaid asks for a phone number. This is optional, and the patient can select Continue without phone number.
The patient searches for or selects their bank on the Select your institution page.
The patient completes a quick reCAPTCHA verification.
The patient selects Continue to login and signs in on their bank's own login page.
The patient selects the checking or savings account to pay from and confirms. The patient returns to Practice by Numbers and sees Payment Success! with the total paid and a Download Receipt option.
The patient also receives an email and/or SMS confirming the payment.
If the Patient Has a Saved Bank Account
If one bank account is saved, it is shown when the patient chooses Pay by Bank. The patient selects it, checks the ACH authorization disclosure, and selects Pay Now.
If multiple accounts have been saved, the patient can choose which account to use or select Use a new bank account.
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.
Under Payment Method(s), select Pay by Bank.
Select an existing bank account, or select Use a new bank account.
To save a new account for future payments, check Save this bank account for future payments.
Review the ACH authorization disclosure with the patient and check the box. The Charge button becomes available once you check the box.
Select Charge. If you're using a new bank account, the patient completes the Plaid steps above.
Once the payment is complete, a confirmation appears in the Charge window, and the patient receives an email and/or SMS.
Note: For in-person payments, the patient should be present to sign in to their bank using their own online banking credentials.
How Long Do ACH Payments Take?
ACH payments do not settle immediately.
Stage | Typical Timing |
Payment submitted | Immediately — status shows Succeeded |
ACH settlement | 3–5 business days |
Deposit to practice account | 3–5 business days after the payment date |
For more details, see Understanding Pay by Bank (ACH) Payments, Deposits, and Refunds.
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 the ACH authorization disclosure before we can process a bank payment.
Bank connections are handled by Plaid. Practice by Numbers never stores or accesses a patient's bank login credentials.
Surcharges never apply to Pay by Bank payments. For PbN ZeroPay practices, the practice covers the processing fee.
Pay by Bank Fees
Your practice's Pay by Bank fees can be viewed under: Settings → Payment Services
Look for the Pay by Bank (ACH) column in your fee table.
Rates may vary based on your practice's payment model. Contact Practice by Numbers Support or your account manager with questions about your specific rates.