> ## 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. # Payment Plans > Learn how to create and manage payment plans in Elation Billing This article explains how to create and manage payment plans in Elation Billing. ## Overview ### Important Notes * This workflow automates payment plan statements to be **mailed** to the patient (text/email is not supported for Plan statements at this time) * The patient will be tagged with **\$ PLAN** * The payment plan feature does not currently auto-charge credit cards * Online Payments must be set up to access the Payment Plan feature ### Example Payment Plan Statement Plan Statements are similar to standard statements with notable differences: * Blue coloration (opposed to standard Green/Yellow/Red) * **PAYMENT PLAN** in the upper-left * Shows Payment Due (amount due now) in addition to Owed By You (total balance) Image Image ## Workflow Instructions ### Creating a Payment Plan 1. **Choose the Patient** - On the patient page, click **COLLECT NOW** to collect a payment. Click the **Payment Plan** button. Image 2. **Select Payment Option** - Choose to pay by **Time** (set time period to pay off balance) or **Amount** (set monthly payment amount). Image 3. **Configure Payment** - For Time option, select a timespan. For Amount option, enter the monthly payment amount. Image Image 4. **Select Start Date** - Choose when payments are due each month. Image 5. **Confirm** - Review the summary showing due dates, amounts, and payment numbers. Click **Submit** to start the plan. Image *** ### Managing Active Plans When a plan is active, clicking the Plan button shows: * Amount owed per payment * Months left on the plan * Remaining pay-off balance * Options to terminate the plan or make a payment Image For a new balance to be included in a Payment Plan, the current plan must be terminated and a new one begun. Patients can only be on one plan at a time. ## Related Articles * [Sending Statements](/articles/sending-statements) * [Activate Online Payments](/articles/activate-online-payments)