Connecting Card Payments to AVImark, Cornerstone, and ezyVet
Veterinary practice management software payment integration explained: what AVImark, Cornerstone and ezyVet links automate and the lock-in to avoid.
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On this page 8 sections
- Why Veterinary Practice Management Software Payment Integration Matters
- Cornerstone Payment Integration Options for IDEXX Users
- AVImark Credit Card Processing and Covetrus Integrations
- ezyVet Payments, Shepherd and Cloud PIMS Integrations
- Integrated Payments in a Vet PIMS: Semi-Integrated vs. Standalone Terminals
- Contract and Rate Lock-In to Watch For
- Questions to Ask Before Switching Processors
- Next Steps
Key takeaways
- Integration removes double entry. Payments post to the right client invoice, and end-of-day reconciliation gets simpler.
- Each PIMS supports its own set of payment partners, and that set changes over time. Confirm the current options with your software vendor.
- Stored card tokens are usually tied to the processor that created them. Ask about token migration before you switch.
- Read software and processing contracts together. Bundled discounts, equipment leases and auto-renewals are where lock-in usually sits.
Most veterinary clinics run on a practice information management system (PIMS) such as AVImark, Cornerstone or ezyVet. Many still take cards on a terminal that has no connection to that software. Veterinary practice management software payment integration links those two systems, so a payment taken at checkout lands on the right client's invoice automatically. This guide covers what integration actually automates, how integration options differ across the major PIMS platforms, the trade-offs between integrated and standalone terminals, and the contract terms that can lock a clinic in.
One note before we start: PIMS vendors add and drop payment partners over time. Use this article to frame your questions, then confirm current options and terms directly with your software vendor and any processor you're considering.
Why Veterinary Practice Management Software Payment Integration Matters
In a typical clinic, the invoice is built in the exam room as the doctor adds services, vaccines, diagnostics and take-home medications. The client then pays at the front desk. Without integration, the receptionist reads the total off the PIMS screen, keys it into a separate terminal, and goes back to the PIMS to record the payment. That double entry is where errors creep in. For invoices where an insurer pays part of the bill, see our guide to pet insurance direct pay and splitting insurer and client portions. To code those invoice items correctly for tax, see our guide to sales tax on pet medication and vet services by state. For medication refills sold online, see our comparison of Vetsource, Chewy and running your own veterinary online pharmacy.
What Integration Typically Automates
| Task | Standalone Terminal | Integrated Payments |
|---|---|---|
| Entering the amount | Typed by hand on the terminal | Sent from the PIMS invoice to the terminal |
| Posting the payment | Recorded manually in the PIMS | Posted to the client account automatically |
| Partial and split payments | Each piece keyed and posted separately | Often handled from the invoice screen |
| Card on file | Kept in a separate processor portal, if at all | Stored as a token linked to the client record |
| End-of-day reconciliation | Terminal batch report compared to the PIMS report by hand | Totals generally line up because one transaction feeds both |
| Refunds | Processed on the terminal, then adjusted in the PIMS | Often started from the original transaction |
Features vary by PIMS and by payment partner. Treat this table as a list of things to ask about, not a guarantee of what any specific setup includes.
Where Clinics Feel It Most
- Busy checkout windows. End-of-day pickups after surgery or boarding are when keying errors are most likely.
- Multi-pet households. One payment may need to split across several patients' invoices.
- Split payments between co-owners. Two cards on one invoice is common when a pet belongs to a couple or roommates.
- Deposits and estimates. Surgical and hospitalization deposits need to post against the right estimate. Our guide to collecting emergency vet deposits before treatment covers that workflow.
- Recurring charges. Monthly wellness plan billing works best when stored cards sit inside the client record.
Cornerstone Payment Integration Options for IDEXX Users
Cornerstone is IDEXX's long-standing PIMS, and many clinics run it on local servers. IDEXX also offers payment services connected to its software ecosystem. Before you evaluate outside processors, ask your IDEXX representative:
- Which payment providers currently have a working integration with your version of Cornerstone?
- Whether integration requires a specific software version, module or add-on fee.
- Which terminal models are supported, and whether they connect by USB, network or cloud.
- Whether card-on-file and recurring billing features depend on using a particular payment partner.
Cornerstone clinics often run older versions or customized setups. Version compatibility is a real issue, so get the answer in writing for your installation, not just the current release.
AVImark Credit Card Processing and Covetrus Integrations
AVImark is part of the Covetrus software family, which also offers payment services tied to its platforms. As with Cornerstone, the first step is finding out what your AVImark installation supports today.
Questions specific to AVImark clinics:
- Integration depth. Does the integration post payments and handle refunds, or only push the amount to the terminal?
- Multi-location reporting. If you run more than one hospital, can deposits be reconciled per location?
- Hardware. Will your existing terminals work, or will you need new devices programmed for a specific processor?
- Support boundaries. When a payment fails to post, does the PIMS vendor or the processor handle the support ticket?
The last question matters more than it seems. If two vendors each blame the other, a front-desk problem can drag on for days.
ezyVet Payments, Shepherd and Cloud PIMS Integrations
ezyVet (also an IDEXX company), Shepherd and other cloud-based PIMS platforms usually connect to payments through web-based integrations rather than software installed on a local server. That changes a few things:
- Online payments. Cloud systems more often support emailed invoices, payment links and client portal payments. These are useful for pharmacy refills, boarding deposits and balances on hospitalized patients.
- Cloud-connected terminals. Terminals may pair with the PIMS over the internet instead of a direct cable, which simplifies setup across exam rooms.
- Integration marketplaces. Some cloud PIMS publish a list of supported payment partners or gateways. Check whether the list is current and whether each partner supports in-person, online and keyed payments, or only some of them.
If your PIMS connects through a third-party payment gateway, ask which gateways are supported. Then confirm that any processor you're considering can work with that gateway. You can review the payment gateways and virtual terminal options MannyPay offers, but always confirm compatibility with your specific PIMS before signing anything.
Integrated Payments in a Vet PIMS: Semi-Integrated vs. Standalone Terminals
Integration comes in different forms, and the terms get used loosely. For front desk, exam room and curbside setups, see our guide to the best credit card terminals for vet clinics and curbside checkout.
| Setup | How It Works | Strengths | Trade-Offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standalone terminal | Terminal works independently of the PIMS | Any processor, simple to switch, lowest dependency | Manual entry and reconciliation |
| Semi-integrated | PIMS sends the amount to the terminal; the terminal talks directly to the processor; the result returns to the PIMS | Card data generally stays out of the PIMS, which can narrow PCI DSS scope | Limited to processors and devices certified for that PIMS |
| Fully integrated / embedded | Payments are built into the PIMS vendor's own platform | Tight workflow, one vendor to call | Usually the hardest to leave |
PCI scope depends on your full environment. Confirm your obligations with your processor or a qualified security assessor.
When a Standalone Terminal Still Makes Sense
Integration isn't automatically the right choice. A standalone countertop smart terminal may suit a clinic that:
- Is planning a PIMS migration and doesn't want to tie payments to software it's about to leave.
- Has low transaction volume, where reconciliation takes minutes rather than hours.
- Wants the freedom to compare processors without integration limits.
- Needs a backup device for when the integration or the internet goes down.
For phone payments, such as a client calling in to pay for a hospitalized pet, a virtual terminal for keyed phone payments handles card-not-present transactions. Keyed transactions generally carry more fraud and chargeback risk than chip transactions, so follow your processor's verification guidance.
Contract and Rate Lock-In to Watch For
Integration convenience can come with strings attached. Read the PIMS agreement and the processing agreement side by side, and look for these:
- Bundled software discounts. A lower software price that depends on using a specific payment partner. If you switch processors, your software bill may rise.
- Card token portability. Stored cards are usually saved as tokens that only the processor that created them can use. If tokens can't be migrated, every wellness plan member and card-on-file client may need to re-enter their card. Ask whether migration is possible, what it costs and how long it takes.
- Equipment leases. Non-cancelable leases can outlast the processing agreement. Buying terminals outright, or knowing exactly what you're renting, avoids this.
- Processor-locked hardware. Encrypted terminals are often programmed for one processor. Ask whether devices can be reprogrammed if you leave.
- Auto-renewal and early termination fees. Note the renewal date, the cancellation notice window and how termination fees are calculated.
- Rate change provisions. Find out whether rates can change during the term, how much notice you get, and whether the pricing model is interchange-plus, tiered or flat.
- Pricing program compatibility. If you plan to use dual pricing for veterinary clinics, cash discount or surcharging, confirm your PIMS can show both prices on estimates and invoices. Surcharging rules vary by state and card network, so confirm current requirements before launch.
Contract terms are a legal matter. Have an attorney or advisor review agreements before you sign.
Questions to Ask Before Switching Processors
Use this checklist with your PIMS vendor and any processor you're evaluating, MannyPay included:
- Is there a certified, working integration with my exact PIMS and version today, not "on the roadmap"?
- What does it automate: posting, refunds, split payments, card on file, recurring billing?
- Which terminal models are supported, and can I reuse any of my current devices?
- Can my stored card tokens be migrated, and who handles that?
- Will switching change my PIMS software pricing?
- How are deposits reported, and can I match them to my PIMS daily report?
- Who supports me when a payment doesn't post?
- Can I accept online and keyed payments under the same account?
- What are the term, renewal, termination and equipment terms, in writing?
- Will my in-house payment plans and wellness plans keep running during the switch?
Plan the cutover for a slower week. Keep the old account open until the new one is fully tested, so you aren't scrambling at checkout.
Illustrative Cutover Timeline
The timeline below is illustrative, not a standard schedule:
- Weeks 1–2: Confirm integration compatibility and token migration options.
- Week 3: Install and test terminals in one exam room or at one checkout station.
- Week 4: Run both systems in parallel and compare daily reconciliation.
- Week 5: Move recurring billing and close the old account once all stored cards are accounted for.
Next Steps
Integrated payments save the most time in clinics with busy checkouts, recurring billing and lots of deposits. They also tie you more closely to specific vendors. Start by asking your PIMS vendor what it supports today. Then compare processors on integration depth, token portability and contract terms, not just rates.
MannyPay provides card terminals, virtual terminals, gateways and pricing programs for veterinary clinics. If you'd like a review of your current setup and processing statement, request a free processing quote. A MannyPay specialist will respond within one business day.
This article is for general educational purposes and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Card network rules and state laws change; confirm current requirements for your business.
