How Rapid Growth is Changing Telehealth Payment Processing

Telehealth has gone from a niche service to one of the fastest-growing areas in healthcare. It was a useful, short-term solution during the pandemic, but now it’s a cornerstone of how millions of patients access medical care. From rural communities gaining access to the actual care they need, to busy professionals skipping waiting rooms, telehealth has become the preferred option for convenience, affordability, and accessibility.

The growth is staggering. The global healthcare digital payment market is projected to exceed $80 billion by 2033. That’s no trend, that’s an industry transforming in a matter of years. And like any transformation, it comes with new needs and new risks.

But what important detail do most telehealth companies still ignore? Payment processing.

Why Telehealth Is Growing So Quickly

Telehealth’s rise isn’t just about tech or the rise of the digital age. It’s about convenience, and it’s about need. 

Several key forces have converged to push digital care into the mainstream:

• Increased Access: Patients in underserved or rural areas can now connect with providers without the barrier of distance.
• Lower Costs: Eliminating in-person visits reduces overhead for clinics and saves money for patients.
• Convenience and Flexibility: Scheduling around work, family, or emergencies is easier when appointments can happen anywhere.
• Tech Adoption: Mobile devices, faster networks, and better video platforms make real-time consultations seamless.
• Effects from the Pandemic: COVID-19 forced mass adoption of digital-first care, and many patients and providers never looked back.

This mix of access, cost savings, and necessity has cemented telehealth as a permanent fixture in modern healthcare.

The Unique Payment Needs of Telehealth Companies

Payment processing in telehealth isn’t just about swiping a card. It has to balance compliance, security, and seamless patient experience. Unlike retail or e-commerce, healthcare payments must adhere to strict regulations while remaining easy enough for patients to use without friction.

Some of the biggest priorities include:

• HIPAA Compliance: Patient health information (PHI) must remain secure during every transaction.
• PCI DSS Standards: Credit card information must be processed safely to avoid breaches.
• Recurring Billing: Many treatment plans involve repeat sessions. Auto-billing ensures continuity of care and reliable revenue.
• Flexible Payment Methods: From credit cards to ACH transfers, patients expect choice.
• Fraud and Chargeback Protection: Healthcare transactions are high-value and increasingly targeted by fraudsters.

In short, telehealth companies can’t afford to cut corners. The right payment processor doesn’t just handle transactions. It keeps your entire practice safe.

What Telehealth Companies Should Look for in a Payment Processor

Choosing a processor isn’t about who has the flashiest dashboard. It’s about finding a partner that understands the complex, high-risk nature of healthcare transactions and equips providers with the right tools.

Here’s what you really need from your processor:

1. HIPAA-Compliant Infrastructure

Not every processor can legally handle telehealth payments. If a processor doesn’t adhere to HIPAA standards, you’re exposing your business to lawsuits, fines, and reputational damage. Look for providers with built-in encryption, secure storage, and regulatory expertise.

2. Seamless Integration with Telehealth Platforms

Your payments should work inside the same systems you use for scheduling and consultations. Integration with existing EHR, telemedicine apps, or custom portals ensures providers don’t need to juggle multiple logins or patchwork tools. Patients also expect to pay inside the same portal where they book appointments.

3. Flexible Payment Options

ACH transfers, debit cards, credit cards, and even mobile wallets all need to be on the table. ACH is especially valuable for reducing costs compared to credit card processing, since it bypasses card networks and their high fees.

4. Recurring Billing & Invoicing

Treatment doesn’t end after one session. Patients often require ongoing care, and recurring billing makes that relationship easy to manage. Automated invoices, subscription-style payments, and customizable plans reduce missed payments and improve cash flow.

5.  Strong Fraud & Chargeback Protection

Fraud in telehealth isn’t just about stolen cards; it’s much broader than that. It can include disputes from patients who don’t recognize charges or misunderstand billing. Robust fraud prevention tools, blacklists, and chargeback defense mechanisms are non-negotiable.

6. High-Risk Merchant Expertise

Telehealth is often classified as a high-risk industry by banks and processors. That means more paperwork, slower onboarding, or even outright rejection if you pick the wrong partner. Processors experienced in healthcare know how to navigate underwriting, compliance reviews, and faster approvals.

7. Transparent Pricing

Hidden fees eat into margins. Telehealth providers need clear, predictable rates without being nickel-and-dimed for features like fraud monitoring or recurring billing.

8.  LegitScript Verification

Your payments should work inside the same systems you use for scheduling and consultations. Integration with existing EHR, telemedicine apps, or custom portals ensures providers don’t need to juggle multiple logins or patchwork tools. Patients also expect to pay inside the same portal where they book appointments.

How You Save With ACH Payments

One of the biggest shifts happening in telehealth is the ACH (Automated Clearing House) payments. Unlike transactions that pass through intermediaries, ACH transfers go directly from bank to bank.

That means payments are more sustainable, and they’re cheaper. For providers with large patient bases or subscription-style care models, those could be huge savings. ACH also helps patients by lowering service fees, making telehealth more affordable and easier to use.

Luqra: The Payment Partner Built for Telehealth Growth

Telehealth companies are in the business of making care easier and more accessible. Your payment processor should do the same.

At Luqra, we provide healthcare merchants with fully integrated payment solutions.

That means:

• HIPAA-compliant processing that prioritizes patient privacy.
• Direct ACH and card processing designed to reduce costs.
• Fraud detection tools built to protect both providers and patients.
• Custom-fit pricing that helps practices and businesses scale.
• LegitScript applications and onboarding that could be twice as fast and half the cost.
• 24/7, In-House, and U.S.-based support that answers when you call.

Telehealth is here to stay, and the companies that thrive will be those that build trust—not just in their care, but in their financial systems. With Luqra, your payments are protected, optimized, and ready to scale with the future of digital healthcare.