Anyone who accepts credit cards is assigned a 'category' (called an merchant category code or MCC). All of Eleyo's payment processing is assigned a code for Child Care. The MCC is not connected directly to the person's card or account but rather the merchant or vendor and the transactions they make. Since the majority of Eleyo teams use the child care module or provide those types of services (even when using Courses), by default, that code reflects one for Child Care. This allows flex spending, FSA or HSA cards to work and usually does not present a concern.
Declined FSA/HSA
- If a transaction is declined, it is not the Eleyo system that is declining it. A decline also does not reflect that the Eleyo system can or can not accept payments from a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or other providers. A decline reflects what the provider is allowing or not allowing.
- In some cases, parents have been told that Eleyo is not an approved vendor. One possible explanation is the FSA provider only allows a narrow group of codes that it considers 'approved'. There is no option for Eleyo to change how the payment processing is coded.
- Another reason for a decline is that some FSAs are set up when the user has to accrue funds to then be applied to child care (i.e. on a weekly or bi-weekly basis). If a particular transaction is denied, it could be due to lack of funds to apply specifically to the child care portion of the FSA. Some FSA may process the amount for what they do have available but that may not cover the full amount due.
- Some parents report success contacting the FSA provider and explaining the situation (i.e. that the charges are for child care). They may be granted an exception by the provider to allow the transactions to be approved. Every provider is different so it is up to the customer to discuss it with their provider and see if they will allow these transactions to be approved.
- If it is a corporate or business card being used for child care, the company may also have restrictions on whether or not the card can be used for online or other specific purchases. The card holder may need to reach out to their business office or HR to discuss any recommendations for using that card.