Orthopedic Goods, Prosthetic Devices
Retail of orthopedic and prosthetic devices.
What MCC 5976 covers
Merchant Category Code 5976 is the ISO 18245 identifier used by the card networks for orthopedic goods, prosthetic devices. Acquirers, issuers and regulators use this code to set interchange, scheme fees, fraud rules and reporting categories for every transaction your business processes.
Retail of orthopedic and prosthetic devices. Choosing the right MCC is critical: an incorrect code can lead to higher interchange, surcharges, or, in regulated categories, declined transactions and account holds.
MCC 5976 covers merchants specialising in orthopedic goods and prosthetic devices. This segment often involves high-value, customised products, frequently tied to medical prescriptions or insurance claims.
Purchases are typically infrequent, driven by medical necessity, and often require specialist fitting services.
Dispute potential can be significant due to the critical nature of the products; 'merchandise not as described' (e. g.
, incorrect fit or poor functionality) and 'service not rendered' (e. g.
, fitting issues) are common. Due to the medical context, accurate billing and clear communication regarding insurance or co-pay are vital.
There are no specific scheme programmes, but detailed transaction data helps.
Cardflo's platform is designed to handle detailed transaction descriptions, which is critical for medical claims and chargeback defence. Our KYB process ensures all regulatory requirements for medical device sales are understood, helping onboard these specialist merchants efficiently.
Acquirer & underwriting stance
Medium-risk specialist board. Given the high value, medical context, and potential for complex disputes, detailed KYB and transaction monitoring are implemented.
A rolling reserve of 5-10% may be applied, released after 90-180 days.
How Cardflo handles MCC 5976
- Underwriting with acquirers that actively board MCC 5976 businesses in your region.
- MCC review during onboarding to confirm the right code for your products.
- Reclassification support if scheme rules or product mix change post-launch.
- Multi-acquirer routing to keep approvals stable for broad merchant categories.
- Dispute support tuned to the mixed-product chargeback profile this MCC sees.
Payment methods typically enabled
Common questions
What evidence is best for defending chargebacks in MCC 5976, especially for custom-fitted devices?
For custom-fitted devices, compelling evidence includes detailed patient records, prescription details, fitment reports, signed waivers or consent forms, delivery confirmation with signature, and photographic evidence of the dispensed device. Clear communication logs with the patient and any insurance providers are also highly valuable.
Are there any specific data privacy requirements (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA) that impact payment processing for orthopedic devices?
Yes, merchants handling prosthetic devices often deal with sensitive health information, making compliance with data privacy regulations like GDPR (in Europe) and HIPAA (in the US) critical.
While payment processors like Cardflo are primarily concerned with PCI DSS for card data, merchants must ensure their overall operations protect patient data, especially when integrating payment data with patient records.
How can merchants in this MCC manage payments involving insurance co-pays and deductibles?
Managing co-pays and deductibles requires flexibility in payment processing. Cardflo's system can integrate with merchant billing software to delineate patient-due amounts from insurance-covered portions.
Offering multiple payment options, including direct card payments and bank transfers, and clearly itemising costs for the customer, helps streamline this process.
Other MCCs in Miscellaneous Stores
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