Healthcare Revenue Cycle Management

Stop Paying to Get Paid: New Research Reveals the Hidden Cost of Virtual Card Fees in Healthcare

Independent research uncovers how virtual credit card (VCC) fees are quietly eroding provider margins and what revenue cycle leaders can do to regain control.

MediStreams
Published 2 hours ago

Virtual credit cards (VCCs) were introduced as a faster, more convenient alternative to paper checks—but for healthcare providers, that convenience comes at a cost. New independent research reveals that VCC and other fee-based payment methods are quietly siphoning millions of dollars from provider organizations already operating on thin margins.

According to the study, more than 80% of healthcare organizations now receive reimbursements through VCCs or similar programs, with many paying transaction fees of 3–5% or more. These fees often go unnoticed, embedded within otherwise electronic workflows, yet they represent a significant and growing financial burden. In fact, for large health systems, even a modest percentage fee can translate into millions in lost revenue annually.

Beyond the direct financial impact, VCC payments introduce operational challenges. Revenue cycle teams report increased administrative burden, reduced visibility into payment methods, and difficulty forecasting cash flow due to variable fees. Many organizations continue to accept these payments not by choice, but due to administrative complexity, staffing limitations, or lack of viable alternatives.

This research highlights a critical issue for healthcare finance leaders: payment methods are no longer just operational decisions. They are strategic drivers of financial performance.

Download the full report to explore the true cost of VCC payments and learn practical strategies to eliminate unnecessary fees while maintaining efficiency and control across the revenue cycle.

After reading this report, you will be able to:

Stop Paying to Get Paid: New Research Reveals the Hidden Cost of Virtual Card Fees in Healthcare | MediStreams
  • Identify hidden revenue loss caused by virtual credit card and fee-based payment programs
  • Quantify the financial impact of VCC fees across your organization
  • Recognize operational risks tied to payment method variability and administrative burden
  • Evaluate current payment workflows for inefficiencies and unnecessary costs
  • Implement strategies to reduce or eliminate VCC fees without slowing cash flow
  • Improve financial visibility and forecasting accuracy across the revenue cycle
  • Strengthen control over payer payment methods and enrollment processes

To learn more, please fill out the following form to download the white paper.
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