MCC code4 min readUpdated October 15, 2026

MCC 8031: Osteopaths, and How It Differs From 8011 and 8041

MCC 8031 is the card code for osteopaths: Visa and Mastercard wording, 8031 vs 8011, 8041, 8049 and 8099, where DOs fit, Stripe and Przelewy24 rules.

Nick Bonnassies, CMO at Tagada · checked against 7 sources

Article summary

TL;DR

MCC 8031 is the merchant category code for osteopaths: merchants that provide therapy involving the non-surgical manipulation and adjustment of bone structures. Chiropractors use 8041, physicians 8011, podiatrists 8049 and physical therapists 8099. Visa doesn't list 8031 as high risk, but Stripe restricts it and its Przelewy24 page lists it as prohibited.

Visa titles 8031 Osteopaths and defines it by the therapy: non-surgical manipulation and adjustment of bone structures. It lists no inclusions.
Mastercard titles it Osteopathic Physicians and adds that orthopedists who provide surgical treatments use 8011.
Neither network says whether a US doctor of osteopathy (DO) or an osteopath outside the US belongs here. The code follows the therapy, and the acquirer decides.
8031 isn't on Visa's high-integrity-risk list. Stripe shows it with the restricted badge, and Przelewy24 on Stripe doesn't accept it.

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On this page

You searched "mcc 8031" and want the official meaning. Here is Visa's and Mastercard's wording, how 8031 differs from the chiropractor, physician and therapist codes, and what it changes for payments.

What MCC 8031 means

MCC 8031 is the four-digit merchant category code for Osteopaths. Visa's manual defines it in one sentence:1

Merchants classified with this MCC provide therapy involving the non-surgical manipulation and adjustment of bone structures.

Visa, Merchant Data Standards Manual, April 2026, p. 102

Visa gives no "Included in this MCC" list for 8031. Its similar merchants are 8011 (doctors), 8041 (chiropractors) and 8099 (other health practitioners).1 Like 8041, the definition describes a therapy, not a credential: it doesn't say "licensed physician".

On Mastercard. The booklet titles 8031 Osteopathic Physicians: "Licensed physicians that provide therapy involving the non-surgical manipulation and adjustment of bone structures. For orthopedists that provide surgical treatments, use MCC 8011." It files 8031 under Professional Services and Membership Organizations, with transaction category code R for face-to-face and T for non-face-to-face payments.3 Stripe's label is "Osteopaths".4

DO or osteopath: what the manuals say

In the US, a DO is a doctor of osteopathic medicine. In many other countries, an osteopath is a manual therapist who isn't a physician. Neither card manual mentions the DO degree or any country. What they do say:

Visa defines 8031 by the therapy. An osteopath anywhere who provides non-surgical manipulation fits the wording.1
Mastercard says "licensed physicians" and sends surgical orthopedists to 8011.3
SIC 8031, the US industry code, is "Offices and Clinics of Doctors of Osteopathy": practitioners "having the degree of D.O." in "general or specialized osteopathic medicine and surgery".6 That is a statistics code, not a card rule.

So a practice built on osteopathic manipulation matches 8031. A DO practice that mainly does general medicine or surgery also matches 8011's wording. Visa says the code follows the activity with the highest annual sales, and the acquirer makes the call.1

Who uses MCC 8031

Osteopathy clinic or registered osteopath8031Non-surgical manipulation of bone structures is Visa's definition
DO practice focused on osteopathic manipulative treatment8031The code follows the therapy
DO practice mainly in family medicine or surgery8011 or 8031Neither manual settles it; the main activity decides
Orthopedic surgeon8011Mastercard says so in the 8031 entry
Chiropractor8041Spine and limb adjustment has its own code
Physical therapist or therapeutic massage8099Visa lists both under 8099
Online store selling braces or orthotics5976A retail sale of orthopedic goods

Which brands? Visa and Mastercard name none. PXP's MCC directory lists UK osteopathy practices under 8031, but it isn't an official source, and each brand's acquirer decides its code.

Codes it is not

MCC	Visa title	Use it instead of 8031 when
8041	Chiropractors	You provide therapy in which "the spinal column and limbs are manipulated or adjusted"
8011	Doctors and Physicians (Not Elsewhere Classified)	You're a licensed physician in general or specialized medicine and surgery, such as an orthopedic surgeon
8099	Medical Services and Health Practitioners (Not Elsewhere Classified)	You're a physical therapist, therapeutic massage provider or other practitioner with no specific code
8049	Podiatrists and Chiropodists	You diagnose and treat foot ailments
5976	Orthopedic Goods – Prosthetic Devices	You sell orthopedic goods, orthotics or prosthetic devices

Source: Visa Merchant Data Standards Manual, April 2026, pages 81 and 102 to 104.1

Verdict

Non-surgical manipulation of bone structures: 8031. Spine and limbs: 8041. Physician medicine or surgery: 8011. Physical therapy: 8099. Feet: 8049. Braces sold to consumers: 5976.

Is MCC 8031 high risk?

Not for Visa. 8031 isn't on the April 2026 list of high-integrity-risk codes.1 Processors are stricter.

Who	What applies to 8031	Source
Visa, high-risk list	Not listed	Merchant Data Standards Manual, p. 211
Visa, payment facilitators	8011, 8050, 8062 and 8099 can skip the direct acquirer agreement above USD 1 million a year. 8031 isn't on that list	Core Rules 5.3.1.42
Stripe	Listed as "Osteopaths" with the restricted badge. You must contact Stripe to use a restricted MCC	Set merchant category codes4
Stripe, Przelewy24	8031 is listed as prohibited for this Polish payment method, like 8011, 8041 and 8049. 8099 is only restricted	Przelewy24 payments5

In the US, Visa counts 8031 as a Health Care Merchant code;2 our MCC 8099 page explains what that changes, HSA and FSA cards included. Our high-risk MCC codes guide lists the codes Visa does flag.

For cardholders and merchants

Cardholders. You see 8031 when an osteopath's office charged your card. Each issuer decides which codes earn points or cashback; read your card's rewards terms. Employer and purchasing cards may block health codes: Clemson University's list blocks 8031 next to 8011, 8041 and 8099.7 Your bank can't change a merchant's code. If you don't recognize a charge, your bank can explain a chargeback.

Merchants. Stripe notes that MCCs are used to calculate interchange fees, authorize payments and prevent fraud.4 See interchange fees for how pricing works.

Find your code. On Stripe it's set from your declared industry, then your website.4 Elsewhere, check your merchant agreement. Our guide shows where to find your MCC.
Check the label, not just the number. An osteopathy clinic on 8041, or a physical therapy clinic on 8031, is miscoded.
Split care from goods. If you also sell braces or supports online, Visa lets you use the code of the larger activity or one code per activity.1
Ask for a correction. Send the current code, the code you think fits, and proof: licenses, service list, revenue by activity. Each merchant account has its own MCC.

Visa: the MCC follows the activity with the highest annual sales. Stripe: one MCC per account.

Updated on October 15, 2026

Nick Bonnassies

CMO at Tagada

CMO at Tagada. Before Tagada, Nick built direct-to-consumer brands that generated over $115M in sales, raised over $25M in crowdfunding and sold two of them. He also works as a fractional CMO on marketing operations and AI systems.

Frequently asked questions

What is MCC 8031?

MCC 8031 is the merchant category code Visa titles Osteopaths. Visa's April 2026 manual describes merchants that provide therapy involving the non-surgical manipulation and adjustment of bone structures. Mastercard uses the same number under the title Osteopathic Physicians.

What is the difference between MCC 8031 and 8041?

Both cover manual therapy. Visa defines 8031 as non-surgical manipulation and adjustment of bone structures, and 8041, Chiropractors, as therapy in which the spinal column and limbs are manipulated or adjusted. An osteopath uses 8031; a chiropractor uses 8041.

Does a DO doctor use MCC 8031 or 8011?

Neither Visa nor Mastercard answers this directly. Visa's 8031 describes a therapy, while 8011 covers licensed physicians practicing general or specialized medicine and surgery. Mastercard sends orthopedists who provide surgical treatments to 8011. The acquirer sets the code from the practice's main activity.

Is MCC 8031 the same as SIC 8031?

No. SIC 8031, Offices and Clinics of Doctors of Osteopathy, is a US industry code for practitioners with the D.O. degree in osteopathic medicine and surgery. MCC 8031 is the card payment code, and Visa defines it by the therapy, not the degree.

Is MCC 8031 high risk?

Not for Visa: 8031 isn't on its April 2026 list of high-integrity-risk codes. Stripe shows it with the restricted badge, so you must contact Stripe to use it, and Stripe's Przelewy24 page lists 8031 as prohibited for that payment method.

Sources

Checked October 15, 2026

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