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

In Traditional Chinese Medicine and natural healing practices, a significant proportion of services are collected directly from patients – either because the treatment is not covered by health insurance or because supplementary insurance only covers a portion. Terminal, Tap to Pay on an Android smartphone or Payment Link are the three practical solutions for Swiss solo practices.

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

1. EMR, ASCA and Health Insurance Funds: What is Paid Where?

In Swiss complementary medicine, the insurance cover of a treatment depends on two factors: the therapy method and the recognition of the therapist. The most important recognition registers are EMR (Erfahrungsmedizinisches Register) and ASCA (Swiss Foundation for Complementary Medicine). Many supplementary insurances of Swiss health insurers reimburse treatments with EMR- or ASCA-recognised therapists – but not all and not fully.

The compulsory basic insurance (KVG) only covers complementary medicine to a very limited extent: acupuncture has been compulsory under basic insurance (KVG) again since 2017, but only if it is performed by a medical doctor with a recognised advanced training title. Non-medical acupuncturists, TCM therapists, and natural practitioners therefore bill almost exclusively via supplementary insurance or directly with the patients.

This means in practice: a significant share 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 Transaction Amounts and Payment Volume

In Swiss TCM and natural healing 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 charged at a higher rate (EUR 150 to EUR 250). Herbal formulations are billed separately and range between EUR 20 and EUR 80 per prescription, depending on the quantity.

Whoever conducts 15 to 20 sessions per week as a solo practitioner and collects EUR 130 per session will reach 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 terms of fees, but also regarding the administrative effort involved with outstanding items.

3. Terminal, Tap to Pay or Payment Link: What Fits the Solo Practice?

POS Terminal at the Reception Desk

A stationary POS terminal is suitable for practices with a reception area. Patients pay directly after the session. The Nexgo N6 or N86 from Payrexx is currently available free of charge in the rental model (regularly EUR 25/month), but requires a Standard or Premium plan. The terminal accepts cards, TWINT, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.

Tap to Pay on Android Smartphones

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 if the therapist wants to collect payments directly in the treatment room. Tap to Pay is available in all plans including Free. iPhone is not supported. Fees: Debit 0.95% + EUR 0.15, Credit 1.25% + EUR 0.15, TWINT 1.25% + EUR 0.00 (as of May 2026).

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 example, if additional herbs are prescribed. Payment Links work in 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 the Complementary Practice

TWINT is particularly widespread in Swiss complementary practices – many patients pay by TWINT transfer anyway. The difference to a professional TWINT setup via a PSP: the incoming payments can be structured and recorded, refunds are possible, and all transactions land in the same Dashboard as card payments. The TWINT fee via Tap to Pay or terminal is 1.25% without a fixed fee – for a session of EUR 130 that is EUR 1.63.

A static TWINT QR code via Payrexx QR Pay costs 1.25% + EUR 0.00 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 complementary solution or when no device is at hand.

5. Herbal Medicine and Additional Services: Separate Billing

TCM herbal formulas, moxa treatments, or specific diagnostic tools are often billed separately and are rarely covered by health insurance. In this case, we recommend a Payment Link with the specific amount, which the therapist sends via WhatsApp after the session. Patients can then pay with TWINT, card, or mobile wallet – even if they have already left the practice.

For practices that regularly prescribe herbs: a Payrexx Page with standard packages (e.g., 4-week herbal treatment EUR 60, 8-week EUR 110) saves time and avoids individual link creation for every prescription.

6. Bookkeeping: Separating Insurance-covered and Non-insurance-covered Services

For bookkeeping and VAT accounting, the clean separation between supplementary insurance billing and direct payments is important. Complementary medicine services by recognised therapists are usually VAT-free (Art. 21 para. 2 no. 3 MWSTG). Herbal products and dietary supplements, however, may be subject to VAT – this should be clarified with your fiduciary.

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

7. Comparison of Costs: What is Worthwhile from Which Revenue?

* Nexgo N6 and N86 currently free of charge in the rental model, while stocks last. Regular price EUR 25/month. As of May 2026.

Checklist: Setting Up Card Payment in TCM and Natural Healing Practices

• Clarify which services you collect directly: session fees, 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 – standard in Swiss complementary practices

• Create a static QR Pay code for the practice as an easy complementary solution

• Use Payment Links for variable amounts (herbs, additional services after the session)

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

• Check with your fiduciary which services are subject to VAT

• Inform patients about the new payment options when confirming appointments

Payrexx offers TCM and natural healing 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 Free plan with Tap to Pay and Payment Links is a complete setup without fixed costs for solo practices with a manageable transaction volume.