# Payment Schemes

## Introduction

A **payment scheme** is a named configuration that defines which payment methods are permitted for a category of transactions, what discounts are applied automatically, and whether certain bill types are available. Payment schemes are assigned to wards, departments, or patient categories so that cashiers and billing staff only see relevant payment options for each context.

## Navigation

Main Menu → Administration → **Payment Schemes**
OR
Main Menu → Configuration → Finance → Payment Schemes

## Creating a Payment Scheme

1. Navigate to the Payment Scheme administration page.
2. Click **New Scheme**.
3. Fill in:
   - **Scheme Name** — descriptive name (e.g., "Inpatient Insurance", "OPD Cash Only")
   - **Description** — purpose of the scheme
4. Save to create the scheme, then configure its details (payment method restrictions and discounts).

## Payment Scheme Fields

| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Unique identifier for the scheme |
| Description | Free-text purpose description |
| Active | Whether the scheme is currently in use |
| Allowed Payment Methods | Which of the 19 payment methods are enabled |
| Discount Rules | Automatic discounts applied when this scheme is used |
| Applicable To | OPD, Inpatient, Pharmacy, Channelling — where the scheme applies |

## Configuring Allowed Payment Methods

1. Open the scheme.
2. Under **Payment Methods**, enable or disable each method (Cash, Card, Credit, etc.).
3. Save. Cashiers using this scheme will only see the enabled methods.

See [Payment Scheme Method Restrictions](Finance-Payment-Scheme-Method-Restrictions.md) for step-by-step configuration.

## Assigning Schemes to Departments or Wards

After creating a scheme:

1. Navigate to the department or ward configuration.
2. Select the scheme in the **Payment Scheme** field.
3. Save. All billing for that department/ward will apply this scheme's rules.

## Default Scheme

If no specific scheme is assigned, the system uses the facility-wide default payment scheme. The default scheme is configured under Application Settings → Finance.

## Examples

| Scheme | Allowed Methods | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Cash Only | Cash | Low-value OPD services |
| OPD Standard | Cash, Card, Credit, eWallet | General OPD billing |
| Insurance Inpatient | Credit, Card | Inpatient insurance ward |
| Staff Welfare | Staff, Staff_Welfare, Cash | Staff patient admissions |
| Channelling | Cash, Card, Agent, OnlineBookingAgent | Channel appointments |

## Technical Reference

| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Entity | `PaymentScheme` |
| Related | [Payment Scheme Method Restrictions](Finance-Payment-Scheme-Method-Restrictions.md), [Credit Company Scheme](Finance-Credit-Company-Scheme.md) |