> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.elationhealth.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Activate Online Payments

> Learn how to activate online payments using Stripe in Elation Billing

This article provides step-by-step instructions on how to activate online payments in Elation Billing using Stripe integration.

## Overview

### What is Activate Online Payments?

Activating online payments enables your practice to accept credit card payments from patients through Stripe integration. This allows for convenient payment collection via the Collect Now button and through the online patient payment portal at ElationPay.com.

### Why is Activating Online Payments important?

Online payments streamline the collection process, reduce manual payment handling, and provide patients with convenient payment options. Payments can be collected in person, via email statements, or through the online portal.

## Workflow Instructions

### Elation EHR + Billing Practices

<Note>
  If your practice is an Elation EHR + Billing user, you will activate Stripe through the EHR instead. This process takes about 10 minutes and you can skip Step 2 below. See [EHR Stripe Instructions](/articles/using-elation-to-securely-collect-patient-payments) for details.
</Note>

***

### Elation Billing Legacy Practices

#### Before You Start

Visit [Stripe.com](https://dashboard.stripe.com/register) and create and activate an account for your practice. We partner with Stripe to simplify payment processing.

1. **Navigate** - Click on the **Practice Settings** option under the **Settings** drop-down menu.

   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/elationhealth/b_VQbpfEoUHjBEuz/images/intercom/a1df3a1cca8e_1_-_navigate.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=b_VQbpfEoUHjBEuz&q=85&s=8300e7d991b99e21c3b9b1b04eeea46b" alt="Image" width="221" height="201" data-path="images/intercom/a1df3a1cca8e_1_-_navigate.png" />

   Click on the **ACTIVATE** button for online payments.

   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/elationhealth/_WF8YQMpuRByusIR/images/intercom/e0c9bc33ef48_activate_banner.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=_WF8YQMpuRByusIR&q=85&s=ba2f3c30f3efd94e633789da1e4a1e26" alt="Image" width="522" height="142" data-path="images/intercom/e0c9bc33ef48_activate_banner.png" />

2. **Get Your API Keys** - Log into Stripe.com and click on **Developers** in the upper right, then on **API Keys**.

   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/elationhealth/b_VQbpfEoUHjBEuz/images/intercom/c25c216e376b_image.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=b_VQbpfEoUHjBEuz&q=85&s=c22158f51384b27ba5c82ae76f7ca0c8" alt="Image" width="483" height="105" data-path="images/intercom/c25c216e376b_image.png" />

   You will find 2 keys: a **publishable** and **secret** LIVE key. You will need both to activate the integration.

   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/elationhealth/b_VQbpfEoUHjBEuz/images/intercom/b835ee34194a_image.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=b_VQbpfEoUHjBEuz&q=85&s=fd4dabb293da1ff21be9db909f5e5b9d" alt="Image" width="244" height="296" data-path="images/intercom/b835ee34194a_image.png" />

3. **Enter Your API Keys** - Enter your API Keys into the billing software and click **ACTIVATE NOW**. The billing software will verify the keys and activate online payment processing for your account.

   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/elationhealth/_WF8YQMpuRByusIR/images/intercom/d532b99ae53b_activate_form.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=_WF8YQMpuRByusIR&q=85&s=b100711a554499d20441b2916e5bbfe9" alt="Image" width="361" height="344" data-path="images/intercom/d532b99ae53b_activate_form.png" />

4. **Use Online Payments** - Once activated:

   * When you click the **COLLECT NOW** button on a patient profile, you will have the choice of charging a credit card

   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/elationhealth/axN6V524bgYhtISH/images/intercom/2617dfc65810_collect_now.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=axN6V524bgYhtISH&q=85&s=4255776b5a8b7c70ee56e06706a0ebe5" alt="Image" width="364" height="96" data-path="images/intercom/2617dfc65810_collect_now.png" />

   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/elationhealth/CWM1OVXHaDp9DnEy/images/intercom/5951d107ad28_charge_card.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=CWM1OVXHaDp9DnEy&q=85&s=27f0d875258514e0f5023b1a971ec4fe" alt="Image" width="358" height="160" data-path="images/intercom/5951d107ad28_charge_card.png" />

   * Patient statements will reference the online payment portal at **ELATIONPAY.COM**
   * You can view payments processed in the billing software when you log into your Stripe account

<Note>
  At this time, patient refunds are processed directly in Stripe. See [Stripe refund instructions](https://support.stripe.com/questions/refund-a-customer) for details.
</Note>

## Related Articles

* [Sending Statements](/articles/sending-statements)
* [Posting a Payment in Elation Billing](/articles/posting-a-payment-in-elation-billing)
* [Using Elation to Securely Collect Patient Payments](/articles/using-elation-to-securely-collect-patient-payments)