We at Nutrition Research Center, Inc.  do not do consultations over the web, but many others do, including medical doctors. Now Discover Card has somehow become the right arm of the medical and pharmaceutical industry by imposing restrictions that seem to be outside their jurisdiction. We’re not sure why they are doing this, but if you are a health practitioner, you should know about this.

Here’s an excerpt from Discover Card:

From: “Discover Network” <discovernetwork@email.discovernetwork.com>
Date: April 20, 2009 4:33:33 PM MDT
Subject: Important Changes to Your Merchant Program Documents
Reply-To: “Discover Network” <discovernetwork@email.discovernetwork.com>

Important Changes to Your Merchant Operating Regulations, Dispute Rules Manual, and Technical Specifications
Dear Merchant:

Prohibited Merchant Categories. You may not accept Cards for payment of online medical consultations that result in a prescription without an in-person examination of the patient by a medical doctor to determine that medication is appropriate.

© 2009 DFS Services LLC  We respect your right to privacy.  View our privacy policy.
www.DiscoverNetwork.com

Essentially, Discover card is refusing to provide credit card service if you work with people over the internet. The question remains: What, in their book, constitutes medical consultation versus health consultation? This is dangerous territory. If you are a health coach or even a medical doctor who works with clients or patients around the country, it’s not a good sign.

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