The Practical Guide: Card Payment in TCM and Natural Healing Practices in Switzerland

In traditional Chinese medicine and naturopathic practices, a considerable portion of services is collected directly from patients – either because the treatment is not covered by health insurance or because supplementary insurance only covers part of it. A terminal, Tap to Pay on an Android smartphone, or a Payment Link are the three practical solutions for Swiss solo practices.

This guide explains which services in TCM and naturopathic practices are collected directly, what EMR/ASCA recognition means for payment flow, and which solution fits a solo practice.

1. EMR, ASCA, and Health Insurers: What is paid where?

In Swiss complementary medicine, the insurance coverage of a treatment depends on two factors: the therapy method and the therapist's accreditation. The most important accreditation registers are the EMR (Erfahrungsmedizinisches Register) and the ASCA (Swiss Foundation for Complementary Medicine). Many supplementary insurances from Swiss health insurers reimburse treatments provided by EMR- or ASCA-recognised therapists – but not all, and not in full.

Mandatory basic health insurance (KVG) covers complementary medicine only within a very limited scope: acupuncture has been covered under KVG again since 2017, but only when performed by a doctor with a recognised postgraduate training title. Non-medical acupuncturists, TCM therapists, and naturopaths therefore bill almost exclusively via supplementary insurances or directly with patients.

In practice, this means: a significant portion of revenue must be collected directly during the session. Those who only accept cash or TWINT transfers restrict themselves unnecessarily – especially with patients without supplementary insurance who bear the full amount themselves.

2. Typical amount ranges and payment volume

In Swiss TCM and naturopathic practices, session prices typically range between EUR 100 and EUR 200 per treatment, depending on the therapy method, duration, and region. Initial consultations with a detailed medical history are often billed at a higher rate (EUR 150 to EUR 250). Herbal prescriptions are billed separately and, depending on the quantity, range between EUR 20 and EUR 80 per prescription.

A solo practitioner conducting 15 to 20 sessions per week and charging EUR 130 per session reaches a monthly direct turnover of EUR 7,800 to EUR 10,400. At this volume, the choice of payment provider makes a noticeable difference – not only in fees, but also in administrative overhead caused by outstanding invoices.

3. Terminal, Tap to Pay, or Payment Link: What suits a solo practice?

POS terminal at reception

A stationary POS terminal is suitable for practices with a reception area. Patients pay directly after the session. The N910 Pro, Nexgo N6, or N86 from Payrexx are available for EUR 25/month rental – on the InStore plan without a monthly fee or on the omnichannel Standard and Premium plans. The terminal accepts cards, TWINT, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.

Tap to Pay on an Android smartphone

Tap to Pay transforms an NFC-enabled Android smartphone (Android 8.1 or higher) into a payment terminal – without hardware. The Payrexx Tap to Pay app is installed on the Android device and linked to the account. Ideal for practices without a reception area or when the therapist wishes to collect payment directly in the treatment room. iPhone is not supported. Tap to Pay is included in every Payrexx plan – for purely on-site payments on the free InStore plan (cards 1.65% + EUR 0.15, TWINT 1.30%). With the Better Fees add-on (EUR 9/month), the same fees apply as on the Lector de tarjetas: debit 0.95% + EUR 0.15, credit 1.25% + EUR 0.15, TWINT 1.25%.

Payment Link after the session

A Payment Link is created in the Payrexx Dashboard and sent to the patient via SMS or WhatsApp after the treatment. The patient then pays on their smartphone. Particularly useful when the exact amount is only determined after the session – for instance, if herbs are additionally prescribed. Payment Links work across all plans including Free. Online fees for TWINT: Standard 1.25% + EUR 0.18, for cards: Standard 1.65% + EUR 0.18.

4. TWINT as a standard method in complementary practices

TWINT is especially widespread in Swiss complementary practices – many patients pay via TWINT transfer anyway. The difference with a professional TWINT setup via a PSP: incoming payments can be tracked in a structured manner, refunds are possible, and all transactions arrive in the same Dashboard as card payments. The TWINT fee via Tap to Pay or terminal is 1.30% on the InStore plan (1.25% with Better Fees) with no fixed fee – for a session of EUR 130, that is EUR 1.69 and EUR 1.63 respectively.

A static QR code via Payrexx QR Pay (Free plan) costs 1.25% + EUR 0.30 per transaction and can be placed as a counter display in the practice or laminated on the treatment table. Patients enter the amount themselves and confirm. Ideal as a supplementary solution or when no device is at hand.

5. Herbal medicine and additional services: Separate billing

TCM herbal prescriptions, moxa treatments, or specific diagnostic tools are often billed separately and are rarely covered by health insurance. A Payment Link with the specific amount, sent by the therapist via WhatsApp after the session, is recommended here. Patients can then pay using TWINT, card, or mobile wallet – even after they have already left the practice.

For practices that regularly prescribe herbs: A Payrexx Page with standard packages (e.g. 4-week herbal course EUR 60, 8-week EUR 110) saves time and avoids having to create individual links for every prescription.

6. Accounting: Separating services covered and not covered by insurance

For accounting and VAT reporting, clearly separating supplementary insurance claims and direct payments is important. Complementary medical services provided by accredited therapists are generally exempt from VAT (Art. 21 para. 2 item 3 MWSTG). Herbal products and dietary supplements, on the other hand, may be subject to VAT – your fiduciary can clarify this.

In the Payrexx Dashboard, all transactions can be assigned a booking text and exported as a CSV. This enables clean allocation: session fee (VAT-exempt) vs. herbal product (potentially subject to VAT). Recommendation: Consistently use one booking text per transaction – e.g. 'Acupuncture', 'Herbs', 'Initial consultation'.

7. Cost comparison: Which option is worthwhile from what turnover?

* Terminal rental EUR 25/month (N910 Pro, Nexgo N6, or N86). As of: October 2026.

Checklist: Setting up card payments in a TCM and naturopathic practice

• Clarify which services you collect directly: session fee, herbal prescriptions, initial consultations

• Decide between Tap to Pay (Android), POS terminal, or Payment Link – or a combination

• Set up TWINT as a payment method – the standard in Swiss complementary practices

• Create a static QR Pay code for the practice as a simple supplementary solution

• Use Payment Links for variable amounts (herbs, additional services post-session)

• Establish a booking text standard: e.g. 'Acupuncture', 'Herbs', 'Initial consultation'

• Check with your fiduciary which services are subject to VAT

• Inform patients about the new payment options upon appointment confirmation

Payrexx offers TCM and naturopathic practices Tap to Pay, Payment Links, QR Pay, and POS terminal from a single account – with TWINT, debit card, credit card, and mobile wallets without separate contracts. The InStore plan with Tap to Pay (on site) and the Free plan with Payment Links (online) offer a complete setup without fixed costs for solo practices with manageable transaction volumes; those who want both in a single account choose Omni Standard (EUR 19/month).