The Case for Veterinary Contactless Payments: 6 Reasons Your Clinic Needs This Technology
These days, many of us pay for groceries, gas, and coffee with a tap of our phones. So, why do veterinary clinics still use outdated payment methods that hinder operations and frustrate clients?
Veterinary contactless payment gives your clinic a modern feel and your clients the convenience they’re accustomed to, making life easier for your team and streamlining your payment process. If you’re still using the same point-of-sale setup from a decade ago, here’s why now is the time to upgrade your clinic’s payment options.
1. Meet client expectations
Contactless payments used to feel like a fun bonus at checkout, but now clients expect the option to pay this way. Most pet owners have used Apple Pay or Google Pay at the store, paid for services online, or clicked a “text-to-pay” link. When they have to wait in line to pay at the desk, or worse, call to leave a credit card number because they were in a rush, clients may leave feeling frustrated and unsatisfied with their experience.
2. Meet team expectations
Faster, easier, and more secure payment options for clients mean less work for the veterinary team. No more manual card number entries, missed payments, or front desk bottlenecks. Clients using veterinary contactless payment can use a mobile device in the exam room or simply tap quickly on their way out.
3. Make checkout a breeze
Collecting payments can be stressful. Clients worry about their pets and finances while veterinary staff juggle phone calls and check-outs. Fumbling with a clunky payment terminal as a packed waiting room glares your way is nobody’s idea of a good time.
When you give clients the option for veterinary contactless payment before, during, or after the appointment, pressure on the front desk lifts. Most mobile and tap payment systems integrate directly with your practice management software, which can text and call clients with reminders to pay, so you don’t have to.
4. Minimize missed payments
A quick way to improve cash flow is to offer people more payment options. Veterinary contactless payment types that make it easier for clients to pay in the moment might include:
- Tap-to-pay with a credit or debit card
- Text-to-pay links
- Online payments
- Portal payments
- Mobile card readers
With veterinary contactless payment, check-out goes faster, and you’ll have fewer delays and unpaid invoices that result from clients forgetting to bring the right card.
5. Provide concierge workflows
The pandemic has changed the payment landscape for many veterinary clinics. If you added a mobile payment option to support curbside visits, you can continue to reap the benefits with creative payment solutions that offer clients unmatched convenience.
In-room check-out with a tablet or phone keeps the lobby clear and continues to support good infection control practices. Plus, clients delight in personalized service that streamlines their pet’s visit.
6. Improve payment security
Many available veterinary contactless payment methods are more secure than traditional payments. Chip cards and mobile payments protect card information and require less physical card handling, allowing the client to keep it in their possession at all times. You can store payment information for recurring payments or telemedicine in apps enabled with secure encryption to ensure clients don’t fall victim to data breaches or fraud, but ensure you read the user agreements carefully.
Getting started with veterinary contactless payments
If you’re looking to improve how your veterinary practice handles payments, here are a few places to start:
- Talk to your software provider — Many practice management systems offer built-in or integrated payment options.
- Switch to cloud software — If adding payment systems to a legacy system is too complex, it might be time to switch to a cloud-based, more agile PIMS.
- Train your team — Ensure that everyone is familiar with the new payment technology and knows how to guide clients through the payment process.
- Try it out — Send a text-to-pay link to yourself so you can understand pain points and troubleshoot them with clients.
Small tech with a significant impact
Veterinary contactless payments might seem like a small win, but they can help you keep clients loyal and the animal hospital running smoothly and on time. Choose simple payment methods that solve problems for your team and your clients to keep the experience as simple, secure, and stress-free as possible.
