What WKHS Bill Pay is and how to use it
WKHS Bill Pay is a payment service run by Workiva Health Systems that lets you pay hospital and health system bills online. You set up an account, link a bank account or card, and schedule one-time or recurring payments directly to your healthcare provider. The service is free to use — the hospital or health system covers the cost of the platform, not you.
To start, you'll need your bill or statement in front of you. Most hospitals and health systems that use WKHS will send you a link in your bill or on their patient portal. You click that link, create a login, and enter your payment method. WKHS then processes the payment and sends a confirmation to both you and the provider.
Payments typically post within one to three business days, depending on your bank and the time of day you submit. If you pay by bank transfer (ACH), it's usually slower than a debit or credit card, but some people prefer it because the fee structure is different.
Key Takeaways
- WKHS Bill Pay is a free online payment system that connects your bank account or card to your hospital bill.
- Payments post within one to three business days, so plan ahead if your due date is soon.
- You can set up one-time payments or recurring payments for ongoing bills.
- If you pay by credit or debit card, the hospital may pass a processing fee to you, though many do not.
Payment methods and what each one costs
WKHS accepts bank transfers (ACH), debit cards, and credit cards. Bank transfers are the cheapest option for the hospital, so they rarely charge you a fee. Debit and credit card payments cost the hospital more to process, and some hospitals pass that cost to you as a convenience fee — usually between 1.5 and 3 percent of the amount you're paying.
Before you choose your payment method, check your bill or the WKHS payment screen to see whether the hospital charges a fee for cards. If it does, a bank transfer saves you money. If the hospital absorbs the fee, use whichever method is easiest for you.
One thing to watch: if you use a credit card to pay a medical bill, that payment counts as a cash advance on some cards, which means you'll pay a higher interest rate and a cash advance fee from day one. Check your credit card terms before you pay a medical bill with plastic. A debit card or bank transfer avoids this trap.
Setting up an account and making your first payment
When you click the payment link from your hospital's bill or portal, WKHS will ask you to create a username and password. You'll also need to verify your identity — usually by answering security questions or confirming information from your credit report. This step takes a few minutes and happens only once.
After that, you enter your bank account or card details. WKHS encrypts this information and stores it securely. You then choose the amount you want to pay and the date you want it to post. If you want to pay the full balance, WKHS usually shows you the total due. If you want to pay part of it, you can enter any amount.
Once you submit, you'll see a confirmation number on screen and receive an email receipt. Save both. If there's a problem with the payment, you'll need the confirmation number to trace it.
Recurring payments and autopay options
If you have an ongoing bill — for example, a monthly dialysis or physical therapy charge — you can set up a recurring payment. You choose the amount, the frequency (weekly, biweekly, monthly), and the start date. WKHS will then deduct that amount automatically on the schedule you set.
Recurring payments are useful if you want to avoid late fees, but they also mean you need to monitor your bank account to make sure the payment goes through each time. If your bank account closes or your card expires, the payment will fail and you'll owe a late fee. Set a calendar reminder to check your bank statement a day or two after each scheduled payment.
You can cancel or change a recurring payment at any time by logging back into your WKHS account. Changes usually take effect within one business day.
What happens if a payment fails or is late
If WKHS tries to process your payment and your bank declines it — for example, because you don't have enough money in the account — the payment will fail. WKHS will send you an email telling you the payment didn't go through. You'll then owe the bill plus any late fee your hospital charges.
Late fees vary by hospital. Some charge a flat fee (often $25 to $50), while others charge a percentage of the balance (usually 1 to 1.5 percent per month). Check your bill or call the hospital's billing department to find out what they charge.
If you know you can't pay by the due date, contact the hospital's billing office before the deadline. Many hospitals offer payment plans or hardship programs that let you spread the cost over several months without a late fee. WKHS is a payment tool, not a negotiation tool — you have to reach out to the hospital directly to discuss options.
Disputing a payment or getting a refund
If you see a payment on your bank statement that you didn't authorize, or if you were charged twice, contact WKHS customer service first. They can look up the transaction and tell you whether it went through. If it did, they can help you request a refund from the hospital.
Refunds usually take five to ten business days to appear back in your account, depending on your bank. If you paid by credit or debit card and the hospital charged you a convenience fee, the fee is typically refunded along with the payment amount.
If you believe a charge was fraudulent — for example, someone else used your account — report it to WKHS and your bank immediately. Your bank has stronger fraud protections than WKHS does, so they're your best resource for getting money back quickly.
Comparing WKHS to other hospital payment options
Most hospitals offer multiple ways to pay: by mail, by phone, in person, or online through their patient portal. WKHS is one online option, but not the only one. Some hospitals have their own payment systems built into their portals, while others use third-party services like WKHS.
The main advantage of WKHS is that it works across multiple hospitals and health systems, so if you have bills from different providers, you might be able to pay them all in one place. The main disadvantage is that you have to create yet another account and remember another password.
If your hospital's own portal lets you pay directly, that's often simpler because you're already logged in. But if you prefer a single dashboard for all your medical bills, WKHS can consolidate them. Compare what's available to you and pick the method that fits your routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does WKHS charge me a fee to use the service?
No. WKHS is free for patients. The hospital or health system pays WKHS to provide the platform. However, some hospitals pass a processing fee to you if you pay by credit or debit card — usually 1.5 to 3 percent. Bank transfers are almost never charged a fee. Check your bill before you pay to see whether a fee applies.
How long does it take for a payment to show up on my bill?
Payments typically post within one to three business days. Bank transfers are usually slower than card payments. If your due date is within a few days, use a debit or credit card to be safe. Always allow extra time around weekends and holidays.
Can I pay someone else's medical bill through WKHS?
You can if you have their account number and permission. When you log in, you'll enter the patient account number, not your own. Some hospitals require written authorization before they'll accept a payment from someone other than the patient. Call the hospital's billing office first to ask.
What if I want to set up a payment plan instead of paying the full bill now?
WKHS doesn't offer payment plans — it's a payment processor, not a lending service. To set up a plan, contact your hospital's billing office or financial counselor directly. Many hospitals offer interest-free plans for balances over a certain amount, and some have hardship programs for patients with low income.
Is my bank information safe on WKHS?
WKHS uses encryption and security standards that are standard in the payment industry. Your bank details are not stored on the hospital's system — they stay with WKHS. That said, no system is 100 percent secure. Monitor your bank and credit card statements regularly for unauthorized charges, and report anything suspicious to your bank immediately.