Who carries no cash?

[Baby_nurse]

In that case, I would side with the patients. I have a HSA debt card. It's very convenient to use it at the appointment versus having to fill out forms, fax them in and wait to get a check back!

[disneysteve]

In that case, I would side with the patients. I have a HSA debt card. It's very convenient to use it at the appointment versus having to fill out forms, fax them in and wait to get a check back!

That's a really small % of patients though. Most of what I'm talking about is people with traditional plans and modest co-pays due.

[DRILLINDK]

I usually carry No cash. If I do somehow receive cash I usually take it to the bank and deposit it immediately.


Steve, in my office we accept cash, credit, check, etc. Just the way things are these days.

[KTP]

never carry cash...I don't even know where my ATM card is (did I even activate it? yikes). I put everything on my credit card....2% cash back. I even tried really hard to put our new car on my credit card.

[TheMom]

I always carry cash. We use credit for quite a lot, but I do find I stick to a grocery budget and personal spending budget much more if I pay in cash. I hate tracking money after the fact, so it works for me.

But, I always ask to be billed for doctor visits. Our FSA money gets paid from our health insurance, so the doctor will get 2 checks from insurance and I typically owe nothing OOP. But, it's often a pain to convince a new doctor or dentist that I need to be billed. I've trained DH to not pay too . I was always having to track down who he paid and get refunded since FSA paid it as well. Grrr.

[Blessed]

I don't carry cash unless I know I will need it. Us use my debit card 99% of the time. We do have one local restaurant that doesn't take cards. I would never show up for an appointment with out appropriate payment though. Mayo always just bills us the copay.

I understand why a merchant would resist because of the fees but it sure would make things easier.

[kork13]

I very rarely use cash.... However, I do normally carry at least a little bit of cash on me -- normally between $5-$20, though almost never more than $50. Pretty much everything I buy accepts credit card, so I just use that to reap the rewards/points.

[shaggy]

I carry a lot of cash. I think it's rude to use a credit/debit card for a small purchase and expect the merchant to pay a relatively large percentage of their profits to the bank that's processing the charge.

[NetSkyBlue]

I carry a lot of cash. I think it's rude to use a credit/debit card for a small purchase and expect the merchant to pay a relatively large percentage of their profits to the bank that's processing the charge.

Hmm... I guess I just expect that to be built in to the markup on whatever I'm buying. I very rarely make any really, really small purchases, though, like a dollar or less.

[scfr]

I always carry some cash.
For small purchases, especially at a small business, I pay cash so that the merchant doesn't have to pay the CC processing fees. Likewise, if I am purchasing something from (or donating to) a non-profit I try to pay cash. I want my money to go to the charitable work, not to bank fees.

Steve - I vote with the rest of the forum members who say that it's time for your boss to begin accepting credit/debit cards. You can tell him that SA says it's the right thing to do!

It's super easy: https://squareup.com/

[~bs]

I carry a $20 or two around for when I need to split bills with someone or when I buy something from a place that doesn't take card. But other than that, it's all going on one of my cards. Visa, Mastercard, Amex. 99% of the places I go to takes one of those 3.

[~bs]

never carry cash...I don't even know where my ATM card is (did I even activate it? yikes). I put everything on my credit card....2% cash back. I even tried really hard to put our new car on my credit card.

2% CB on everything? You must be a fidelity amex/visa holder

[~bs]

That's a really small % of patients though. Most of what I'm talking about is people with traditional plans and modest co-pays due.

My dentist just bills me for the co-pay, which incurs postage cost for him plus he has to deal with uncollectible accounts.

Would be a lot simpler for you just to take debit cards + visa. Not taking HSA or electronic payments aren't going to drive customers away by themselves, but doesn't exactly leave a good impression on them for an otherwise routine or nice visit.

[humandraydel]

Yes, we do not accept debit or credit. Cash or check only. And yes, we are a small business, 2 person private practice. But all of our patients know that and they still show up with no money. It isn't a new policy. It's been like that for the 13 years that I've been here and before that too.

Really? No offense but I'd probably find a new doctor. I have walked out of stores or gas stations before because they didn't accept CC. I NEVER carry cash.

[scfr]

Steve - Does your office staff call or Email people to remind them of their appointment? Could they include a reminder to bring cash for a co-pay?