Receiving medical bills after undergoing procedures can feel overwhelming, especially if insurance won’t cover the expenses. Using a medical credit card, however, can help make the payments more manageable.
Medical credit cards work a bit like store cards, as you can only use them for certain products and services. While many advertise an “interest-free” period upfront, note that if you can’t pay the entire balance before the 0% APR promotional period ends, you’ll pay high interest accrued from the day you made the purchase.
We compared all available medical and standard credit cards and we considered features such as length of the interest-free period and the scope of the card’s acceptance. We selected the cards that offered the longest 0% interest period and were accepted for most medical treatments and services.
What are the best medical credit cards?
- Chase Freedom Flex℠: Best credit card for cash back on drugstores
- CareCredit® credit card: Best medical credit card for a variety of supported procedures
- AccessOne MedCard: Best medical credit card for the longest interest-free period
- U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card: Best credit card for intro APR period on purchases
- Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card: Best credit card for balance transfers
Best credit card for cash back on drugstores
Chase Freedom Flex℠
4.7
★★★★★
Finder score
Earn a consistent and unlimited % back at drugstores with the Chase Freedom Flex℠. You can also use the card to pay for your medical bill without interest for more than a year. As a bonus, you get to earn a high cashback rate on a variety of categories, including travel, dining and more.
-
Pros
- Cash back. Earn 5% cash back in select rotating categories on up to $1,500 each quarter you activate, then 1%. You'll also earn 5% back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards and on Lyft through March 2022, 3% back at restaurants and drugstores and 1% back on all other purchases.
- Signup bonus. Earn $200 cash back after you make $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
- Intro APR. Get a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months from account opening, then 20.49% to 29.24% variable.
Cons
- You'll need to keep track of rotating categories. You won't get the 5% cashback rate on the same categories each quarter. Also, you'll need to activate your cashback categories, or you won't receive the bonus rate.
- Categories not always known. Often, Chase won't reveal the whole year's rotating categories until they're close to launching.
- Foreign transaction fees. You'll pay a 3% fee on transactions made abroad.
-
Annual fee $0 Purchase APR 0% intro for the first 15 months (then 20.49% to 29.24% variable) Balance transfer APR 0% intro for the first 15 months (then 20.49% to 29.24% variable) $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days Welcome Offer $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months Estimated welcome offer value $200 based on Finder's valuation Rewards Up to 5% cash back
The information about Chase Freedom Flex℠ has been collected independently by Finder and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.
| Welcome Offer | $200 |
|---|---|
| Rewards | Up to 5% cash back |
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Minimum credit score | 670 |
Best medical credit card for a variety of supported procedures
CareCredit® credit card
With CareCredit® credit card you can make interest-free payments on purchases over $200 using special financing between 6 and 24 months, and payments with low interest for up to 60 months. Use CareCredit® credit card to pay for LASIK and vision care procedures, cosmetic and dermatology procedures, dentistry, veterinary and more. Simply make sure to pay off your balance before the promotional period ends or you'll pay interest from the date of purchase.
-
Pros
- A variety of supported procedures. With CareCredit® credit card, you can pay for a variety of medical procedures at more than 200,000 providers — the largest variety compared to similar cards. Plus, you can buy health, personal care and wellness items at Walmart and Sam's Club.
- Multiple financing options. You can get special financing with an interest-free period between 6 and 24 months, or a period with low APR in up to 60 months.
- No annual fee. You won't pay any fee to own the CareCredit® credit card.
Cons
- For short-term financing, be sure to pay off your purchase in full. The promotional financing on purchases of $200 or more is legitimate, but the terms can be confusing. You must pay off the complete amount by the end of the promotional period. Otherwise, you’ll be charged interest on the entire original purchase, not just your remaining balance.
- You could pay a lot more than you expected via long-term financing. For long-term financing, Synchrony sets fixed monthly payments for you. But even with a reduced APR, you could end up paying a lot in interest if you spread out your repayment over a long period of time. A 60-month promotional-financing period is five years — a significant amount of time to be charged interest.
-
Annual fee $0 Purchase APR Promotional financing for 6 or 12 months ($200+), then 26.99% n/a Balance transfer APR N/A Rewards None
| Intro Balance Transfer APR | n/a |
|---|---|
| Rewards | None |
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Minimum credit score | 670 |
Best medical credit card for the longest interest-free period
AccessOne MedCard
AccessOne MedCard offers three payment plans based on your balance and your medical and financial needs. But where AccessOne MedCard shines is the length of the interest-free period where you can get interest on your balance for a period between 12 and 100 months. To use the interest-free period you must pay at least the interest-free amount by the due date.
-
Pros
- Long interest period. Depending on your situation, you can get an interest-free period that lasts between 12 and 100 months.
- Everyone is accepted. You can apply for the card regardless of your credit score. Also, AccessOne MedCard doesn't report your card activity unless you default on your payments and your balance is sent to collections.
- Multiple balance payment methods. Pay your AccessOne MedCard balance online or mail in a check or money order to the address on the statement.
Cons
-
Annual fee $0 Purchase APR 11.25% fixed Balance transfer APR N/A Rewards None
| Intro Balance Transfer APR | n/a |
|---|---|
| Rewards | None |
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Minimum credit score | 580 |
Best credit card for paying off medical bills
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
4.8
★★★★★
Finder score
The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card can be a solid option to pay for your medical bills due to its long intro APR period on purchases. Sometimes, this could be a better option than a medical card because if you're unable to pay off your full balance during the promotional period, you'll only accrue interest for the remaining balance and not the full balance.
-
Pros
- Intro APR period. Make purchases and balance transfers at a 0% intro APR for your first 18 billing cycles of card membership. After the intro period expires, your rate reverts to variable 19.74% to 29.74%.
- Cell phone protection. Pay your cell phone bill with your card and get coverage for your phone against damage or theft up to $600, with a $25 deductible.
- No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee for the life of the card.
Cons
- No signup bonus. Most credit cards offer a signup bonus after you meet specific criteria. Unfortunately, this card doesn’t have one.
- Balance transfer limits. Make sure you transfer your balances within 60 days of card membership. Otherwise, you won’t get the intro APR period on balance transfers.
- Potentially high APR. If you have a weak credit history, you may be given an interest rate up to 29.74% variable. That’s high, considering the average APR is around 16%.
-
Annual fee $0 Purchase APR 0% intro Balance transfer APR 0% intro for the first 18 billing cycles (then 19.74% to 29.74% variable) Balance transfer fee $5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater Rewards None
| Intro Balance Transfer APR | 0% for 18 billing cycles |
|---|---|
| Rewards | None |
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Minimum credit score | 670 |
Best credit card for balance transfers
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
4.6
★★★★★
Finder score
Another alternative to save money on interest is to transfer your balance to the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card which offers a longer-than-average intro APR period on balance transfers. But once you pay off your balance, there's not much value with this card.
-
Pros
- Intro APR for purchases and balance transfers. Get a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for an impressive 21 months after account opening, then 18.24% to 28.99% variable after that. You'll also get a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months following your account opening. After the intro period passes, your rate reverts to an APR between 18.24% to 28.99% variable.
- No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to use this card.
- Longer than average period to transfer balance. You have 4 months from account opening to transfer your balance and receive the intro offer.
Cons
- No rewards. The card is excellent for saving money on interest, but you won't earn any rewards on your purchases.
- No signup bonus. There's no bonus to earn upon signup.
- Balance transfer fees. This card doesn't offer an intro period for balance transfer fees.
-
Annual fee $0 Purchase APR 0% intro for the first 12 months (then 18.24% to 28.99% variable) Balance transfer APR 0% intro for the first 21 months (then 18.24% to 28.99% variable) Balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater Welcome Offer N/A Rewards None
| Welcome Offer | n/a |
|---|---|
| Rewards | None |
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Minimum credit score | 670 |
How to choose the best medical credit cards
If you decide to use a medical credit card instead of a standard credit card for your health and wellness needs, here’s what to keep an eye on:
- Length on interest-free period.
Make sure the length of the 0% interest period matches your financial situation. If you can’t pay your medical bill before the interest-free period is up, you’re better off with a standard 0% intro APR credit card.
- Wide acceptance.
Some medical cards are only accepted for select medical services, while neglecting others, such as veterinary services for your pet. Read the card’s terms thoroughly before applying for a medical card to make sure you can use it where you most need it.
How to pay off medical bills
If your medical insurance doesn’t cover your medical bills, consider paying with a credit card. In this case, you have two options:
- A medical credit card with deferred interest payments for a promotional period.
- A standard credit card with a 0% intro APR period on purchases or balance transfers.
Is a medical credit card worth it?
Medical credit cards can be helpful financial tools when you’re hit with big bills but don’t have the cash to pay it off. Here are the main advantages of using a medical credit card:
- Quick access to medical care. Using a medical credit card means you won’t have to gather funds right away to foot the bill for elective or mandatory procedures. Having more time to pay might enable you to schedule an appointment sooner rather than later.
- Possible interest-free period. Some of the best medical credit cards offer 0% intro APR promotions — a set period of time during which interest is deferred. Since most regular credit cards accumulate monthly interest, this could be a handy financial grace period so long as you’re able to pay in full before time is up.
- Consolidated medical expenses. If you like the idea of keeping all your medical expenses in one place, a medical credit card may be appealing, because you’ll see all the charges on a single statement. This could also be helpful if you’re using part of an HSA to fund your health expenses, as you’ll have a clear record of each specific charge.
- Overall peace of mind. Even if you do have extra crash, using it to fund a big medical bill could put a strain on your day-to-day finances. Sometimes, the peace of mind that comes with buying a little extra time can help take the pressure off during the weeks and months that follow intensive medical care.
What to watch out for when using a medical card
Still, medical credit cards aren’t a no-strings-attached solution to hospital debt. Before committing, consider the drawbacks, too:
- It could damage your credit score. If your financial health is a bit fragile to begin with — that is, you have large amounts of debt and other credit cards with outstanding bills — opening up a medical credit card could ding your credit score. Folks who are looking to finance a new car or take out a mortgage in the near future may want to carefully consider whether it’s worth the risk.
- Variable interest rates can make planning difficult. Most credit card APRs — whether or not they’re branded for medical purposes — have a variable interest rate, which means it could change over time. This might be a roadblock for people on a tight budget, or with limited financial wiggle room.
- Deferred interest could cause financial hardship down the line. Even if a medical credit card has an interest-free period upfront, if you haven’t paid the balance by the end of that period you could be faced with a large portion of accumulated interest, on top of the medical bills you already owe.
- Most don’t come with perks or rewards. While you could potentially earn miles, points and cash back by paying for medical bills with a regular credit card, medical credit cards don’t usually come with added benefits.
What to know
Even though we are referring to the medical card’s promotional period as an interest-free period, be aware that this is a deferred interest period, meaning you pay zero interest for your purchases only if they’re paid in full before the period expires.
Compare credit cards for medical bills
For a side-by-side look at your medical credit card option, select your credit score below and click on “Show cards” to start comparing.
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Bottom line
Choosing the right medical credit card for your needs could save you additional stress. Depending on your card, you can pay off your bill without interest for up to two years or more. Be sure to pay the full balance before the interest-free period expires or you’ll pay interest from the day you made your payment.
As an alternative, consider standard credit cards with a 0% intro APR period, which can help you save money on interest and you can use them everywhere to make purchases.
Frequently asked questions
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This depends on the card but, generally you have two options:
- Online
- Over the phone
- At the medical practitioner
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Yes. Some medical cards offer approval regardless of your credit score.
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Only if you fail to pay your balance and your bill is turned to a collection agency. Otherwise, no.
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Kliment Dukovski is a personal finance writer at Finder, specializing in investments and cryptocurrency. He's written more than 700 articles to help readers compare the best trading platforms, understand complex investment terms and find the best credit cards for their needs. His expert commentary has been featured in such digital publications as Fox Business, MSN Money and MediaFeed. He’s also well-versed in money transfers, home loans and more — breaking down these topics into simple concepts anyone can understand. In another life, Kliment ghostwrote guides and articles on foreign exchange, stock market trading and cryptocurrencies.
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Ask an Expert
I'm Kliment Dukovski, a personal finance writer at Finder with extensive knowledge in investments and cryptocurrency. I've authored over 700 articles helping readers navigate trading platforms, understand investment terms, and find the best credit cards. My expertise has been featured in publications like Fox Business, MSN Money, and MediaFeed. Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article about medical credit cards.
The article highlights the use of medical credit cards to manage medical expenses and compares various cards based on factors like the length of the interest-free period and acceptance for different medical treatments. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts and information from the article:
-
Chase Freedom Flex℠
- Pros:
- Cash back rewards, including 5% at drugstores.
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months.
- $200 cash back after spending $500 in the first 3 months.
- Cons:
- Rotating cashback categories.
- Foreign transaction fees.
- Pros:
-
CareCredit® credit card
- Pros:
- Special financing for medical procedures.
- Multiple financing options.
- No annual fee.
- Cons:
- Confusing terms for short-term financing.
- Potential high interest for long-term financing.
- Pros:
-
AccessOne MedCard
- Pros:
- Long interest-free period (12 to 100 months).
- Acceptance regardless of credit score.
- Multiple payment methods.
- Cons:
- No specific cons mentioned.
- Pros:
-
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
- Pros:
- 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 18 billing cycles.
- Cell phone protection.
- No annual fee.
- Cons:
- No signup bonus.
- Potentially high APR for those with weak credit history.
- Pros:
-
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
- Pros:
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months.
- No annual fee.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months.
- Cons:
- No rewards.
- Balance transfer fees.
- Pros:
The article also provides guidance on choosing the best medical credit card based on the length of the interest-free period and wide acceptance. It suggests considering standard credit cards with 0% intro APR periods as alternatives. Additionally, it discusses the advantages and drawbacks of using medical credit cards, emphasizing the importance of paying attention to variable interest rates and potential damage to credit scores.
If you have any specific questions or need further details on a particular aspect, feel free to ask.
