Kipu Payments: Sunbit Patient Financing

This feature is currently in limited release to a select group of clients and will be rolling out to everyone in the coming months.

Sunbit is a patient financing option available exclusively through Kipu Payments that allows patients to pay their balance over time while facilities receive payment quickly and without repayment risk.

When enabled, Sunbit appears as a payment option for the patient/guarantor alongside standard payment methods such as credit card and bank transfer.

Patients can choose to finance their balance directly through the Patient Portal or via a payment link. The facility then receives payment shortly after the transaction is completed. 

Facility workers will not be able to view or access Sunbit on behalf of a patient. Only patients and their guarantors will be able to complete the application.

How Sunbit Works

1. A patient receives a statement through Kipu Payments.
2. In the patient payment portal, the patient chooses to pay over time with Sunbit
3. They complete a short application (about 30 seconds).
4. Sunbit performs a soft credit check and presents available payment plans if approved. Patients will always see at least one 0% APR option for a 3-month plan, regardless of credit score.
5. Once the patient accepts a plan:
   • The clinic receives payment within 24 hours (minus the Sunbit 6% fee).
   • Sunbit manages the repayment with the patient.
6. Sunbit does not charge late fees, and patients only pay the terms they agree to at signup.

Important: Sunbit financing is non-recourse, meaning that once the clinic receives payment, Sunbit assumes responsibility for collecting payments from the patient.

Sunbit Details

Feature	Details
Minimum balance	$60
Maximum financed amount	Up to $20,000 per statement
Approval process	Soft credit check
Typical approval rate	~90% of applicants
Provider payout	Within 24 hours
Provider fee	Flat 6% of financed amount
Risk	Non-recourse (Sunbit assumes repayment risk)

Disabling Sunbit

Sunbit is enabled by default for accounts using Kipu Payments. If your organization prefers not to offer this payment option to patients, Super Admins can disable Sunbit in your payment settings.

1. Go to Settings > Billing Audit Tool > Patient Payments > Payment Methods.

2. Uncheck the Sunbit checkbox to disable it and click Save.

FAQs

• Sunbit is an optional feature within Kipu Payments. It is enabled by default for organizations using Kipu Payments but can be disabled at any time in payment settings. See the Disabling Sunbit section above.
• Sunbit is enabled by default so you can begin offering patient financing immediately with no additional setup. This allows patients to access flexible payment options right away and helps improve collections without added operational effort.
• Yes. You can disable Sunbit at any time in your payment settings at no additional cost. See the Disabling Sunbit section above.
• Financing must be selected by the patient or guarantor during the payment process. Providers cannot enroll patients in financing on their behalf.
• Sunbit uses a soft credit check as part of the application process, which does not impact the patient’s credit score.
• If a patient is not approved, they can still complete payment using other available methods such as credit card, ACH, or a provider payment plan.
• Yes. If financing does not cover the full balance, providers may still offer a payment plan for any remaining amount.
• Providers are charged a flat 6% transaction fee only when a patient uses Sunbit financing. There are no setup fees, monthly fees, or hidden costs.
• No. Sunbit is non-recourse. Once the transaction is completed, Sunbit manages repayment directly with the patient, and providers are not responsible if a patient defaults.
• Traditional payment plans often require providers to collect payments over time and carry a higher risk of non-payment. With Sunbit, providers are paid upfront (less the transaction fee), and Sunbit manages repayment with the patient, reducing administrative burden and improving cash flow.
• Sunbit is built directly into Kipu Payments, so financing appears automatically within the patient payment experience. It also maintains high approval rates (at least 90%) and is non-recourse, helping more patients move forward with care while reducing financial risk for providers.
• During checkout, patients see pay-over-time options powered by Sunbit within the patient portal or payment link. They select a plan, enter their debit card information, and receive confirmation. Sunbit manages repayment directly with the patient.
• Patients must use a bank-issued debit card. Prepaid debit cards and credit cards are not supported.
• Financing can be applied to patient-pay balances between $60 and $20,000. Sunbit offers 3-month 0% APR plans and extended terms (6–18 months) with interest.
• Sunbit appears automatically within Kipu’s secure patient portal and payment links. Providers may also mention financing options during patient conversations to increase awareness.
• Once a patient is approved and completes the transaction, funds are deposited into your connected Stripe account and paid out based on your Stripe payout schedule.
• The financing agreement is between the patient and Sunbit. Providers are not impacted if a patient is late or defaults.
• No. Sunbit is intended for active balances and should not be used for accounts that have already been sent to collections.
• No. Sunbit must be presented consistently to eligible patients. Selectively offering financing may be considered discriminatory.
• No. Sunbit is currently only available in the United States.
• Yes. Billing companies can register by entering the practice’s business information where services are rendered during onboarding.
• Yes. Transactions completed with Sunbit are reflected in Kipu Payments reporting, with Sunbit listed as the payment method.
• Only the payment amount is shared. No protected health information (PHI) or treatment details are transmitted.
• A loan is created when a patient selects financing during checkout in the patient portal or payment link and completes the application process.
• No. Providers cannot increase prices, remove discounts, or add fees based on a patient choosing Sunbit financing.
• If services are not completed or are partially completed, refunds or adjustments should be processed in the same way as standard payment transactions.
• “Sunbit offers patient financing with flexible payment options. You can apply in under a minute with no hard credit check and review your options before deciding.”
• Visit the Sunbit Success Hub at sunbit.com/kipu for resources, or contact [e-mail] for assistance.