Paying Trial Participants With Prepaid Cards? You Need To Hear This

By Sam Whitaker, Founder and CEO of Mural Health and Kelly FitzGerald, IRB Executive Chair and Vice President, IBC Affairs, WCG

The Mural Health and WCG blog series examines the complexities of participant payments in clinical trials, focusing on prepaid cards and various payment methods. This installment emphasizes the importance of catering to participant preferences when choosing payment options. Key considerations include offering multiple payment methods to accommodate diverse needs, ensuring timely payments, and avoiding fees that could negatively impact participants.

While prepaid debit cards can facilitate quick payments, they often come with hidden fees such as maintenance and transaction charges, which can reduce the funds available to participants. In contrast, some prepaid cards, like those offered by Mural Health, have no associated fees, making them a preferable choice. Payment methods should be clearly outlined in the informed consent form (ICF), including any fees and timelines, to uphold ethical standards. Institutions may also consider using third-party payment services to streamline administration, but this should be transparently disclosed in the ICF. Ultimately, the series advocates for a thoughtful, ethical approach to participant compensation, enhancing engagement and research outcomes.