Sphere: A Comprehensive Payment Gateway for Healthcare and Beyond

Sphere is a leading provider of integrated payment solutions, specializing in secure, cloud-based platforms tailored for healthcare, retail, and other complex industries. Trusted by over a third of the 100 largest health systems in the U.S., Sphere offers a robust suite of services designed to streamline payment processes, enhance security, and improve user experiences.

Company Overview

Founded in 2017, Sphere operates as a vertically integrated software and payments technology company. Its ecosystem includes three key sub-brands:

• TrustCommerce: A leading healthcare gateway and merchant processing provider with native Electronic Health Record (EHR) integrations.

• Health iPASS: A suite of patient engagement software solutions aimed at streamlining the patient experience and improving payment collections.

• Qgiv: A digital fundraising platform serving over 8,000 nonprofits in the U.S. and Canada.

Sphere is backed by Waud Capital Partners, which reflects its financial strength and long-term growth strategy.

Key Features

1. End-to-End Payment Processing

Sphere offers a comprehensive platform that supports a variety of transaction types, including:

• Credit and debit cards (EMV-compliant)

• ACH and electronic check payments

• Mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay

• Contactless/NFC-based transactions

The system is processor-agnostic, giving businesses flexibility in choosing their preferred acquiring partners.

2. Seamless Integrations

Sphere supports more than 150 integration partners, ensuring compatibility across industries. Integration capabilities include:

• Native EHR integrations with Epic, AthenaHealth, and Veradigm

• POS and e-commerce integrations for retail operations

• Developer-friendly APIs and SDKs for ISVs to embed payment functionality into their platforms

These integrations simplify operations and reduce manual errors by automating payment workflows.

3. Advanced Security and Compliance

Security is at the core of Sphere’s value proposition. Key security features include:

• Full PCI DSS compliance

• Validated point-to-point encryption (P2PE)

• Tokenization for secure handling of card data

These safeguards protect both businesses and their customers, reducing data breach risks and simplifying compliance requirements.

4. Omni-Channel Payment Capabilities

Sphere supports payment acceptance across all major channels:

• Online: Hosted payment pages and e-commerce platform compatibility

• In-person: EMV and NFC-ready terminals for retail and front-desk environments

• Mobile: Apps and mobile-optimized checkout

• Phone: Virtual terminal for manual processing

This flexibility makes it easy for businesses to adapt to customer preferences and maximize conversion across platforms.

5. Dedicated Support and Business Tools

Sphere offers comprehensive support and operational tools to help businesses scale:

• 24/7 customer and technical support

• Detailed reporting and analytics dashboards

• Payment reconciliation features

• Marketing and implementation support for partners

These resources enhance operational transparency and promote better decision-making.

Industry Applications

Healthcare

Sphere is particularly strong in the healthcare space, where it provides solutions tailored for complex billing and patient management needs:

• Online patient portals for bill payments

• Self-service check-in and intake solutions

• Recurring billing plans for large medical expenses

Its deep EHR integrations make Sphere one of the most reliable platforms for hospitals and clinics aiming to improve collections and patient experience.

Retail

Retailers benefit from Sphere’s ability to deliver fast, reliable, and secure payment experiences:

• In-store POS and mobile solutions

• Integration with leading retail software platforms

• E-commerce support for online selling

This enables retail businesses to provide a frictionless customer experience across all sales channels.

Non-Profit

Via its Qgiv product, Sphere supports the fundraising needs of non-profit organizations:

• Easy-to-customize online donation forms

• Event management and registration tools

• Recurring donation capabilities

These features help non-profits enhance donor engagement and manage contributions more effectively.

Integration with PAX Terminals

Sphere partners with PAX, a global payment terminal manufacturer, to offer a semi-integrated solution that simplifies the deployment of modern payment technology. Benefits include:

• Faster time to market with pre-certified devices

• Reduced PCI compliance scope

• Cost-effective EMV and NFC implementation

This is especially useful for businesses seeking secure and modern payment terminals without extensive development work.

Conclusion

Sphere distinguishes itself as a versatile and secure payment gateway, especially for businesses in regulated or complex industries like healthcare, retail, and non-profit. Its broad integration capabilities, high-level security standards, and commitment to customer support make it a strong option for companies aiming to optimize payment operations and improve the user experience.