The practical guide: Card payment in TCM and natural healing practices in Switzerland

In traditional Chinese medicine and alternative medicine practices, a significant proportion 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 are collected directly in TCM and alternative medicine practices, what EMR/ASCA recognition means for the payment flow, and which solution fits a solo practice.

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

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

Mandatory basic insurance (KVG) only covers complementary medicine to a very limited extent: Acupuncture has been covered by KVG again since 2017, but only if it is performed by a medical doctor with a recognized further training title. Non-medical acupuncturists, TCM therapists, and alternative practitioners therefore bill almost exclusively via supplementary insurance or directly with the patients.

In practice, this means: A significant proportion 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 alternative medicine 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 higher (EUR 150 to EUR 250). Herbal formulas are charged 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 collecting 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 just in fees, but also in the administrative effort caused by outstanding balances.

3. Terminal, Tap to Pay, or Payment Link: What fits the solo practice?

POS terminal at the reception

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 an Android smartphone

Tap to Pay turns 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 connected 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 if 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 the Standard Method in Complementary Medicine Practices

TWINT is particularly widespread in Swiss complementary medicine practices – many patients pay by TWINT transfer anyway. The difference compared to a professional TWINT setup via a PSP: Incoming transactions are structured and recordable, refunds are possible, and all transactions end up in the same Dashboard as card payments. The TWINT fee via Tap to Pay or terminal is 1.25% with no 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 close at hand.

5. Herbal Medicine and Supplementary Services: Separate Billing

TCM herbal prescriptions, moxa treatments, or specific diagnostic tools are often billed separately and are rarely covered by insurance. In this case, a payment link with the specific amount sent by the therapist via WhatsApp after the session is recommended. Patients can then pay with 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 treatment EUR 60, 8-week EUR 110) saves time and avoids individual link creation for each prescription.

6. Accounting: Separating Insurance-Eligible and Non-Eligible Services

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

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

7. Cost Comparison: What is worthwhile from what turnover?

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

Checklist: Setting up Card Payment in TCM and Alternative Medicine Practices

• 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 – standard in Swiss complementary practices

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

• Use payment links for variable amounts (herbs, supplementary services after the session)

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

• Check with your trustee which services are subject to VAT

• Inform patients about the new payment possibilities when confirming appointments

Payrexx offers TCM and alternative medicine 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 with no fixed costs for solo practices with a manageable transaction volume.