A good plan is the key to success for many things in life, including your personal finances. But, no matter how excellent the plan, some things simply defy planning — like medical emergencies.
And, while having a healthy emergency savings can be enough to buffer a few medical bills, a single trip to the emergency room can easily wipe out even the most robust savings account.
While many medical offices offer financing through medical credit card accounts, a regular, open-loop credit card may provide an even better deal for those who can qualify. Let’s take a look at some of our top picks for the best medical credit cards out there today. We’ll dive into cards specifically for medical expenses and take a look at other cards that, while not designed specifically for medical bills, may be worth considering.
0% APR | Rewards | Balance Transfers | Medical Specific
Best Credit Cards with 0% Introductory APRs
Although dedicated medical credit cards can be useful for short- and long-term financing, the deferred interest they typically use can end up being expensive if you have even a portion of your balance left over.
A better option, for those who can qualify, may be an open-loop card with a 0% intro-APR offer. The best deals provide at least 15 months of 0% financing on new purchases, with no deferred interest. If you have a balance at the end of the promotional period, interest will start accruing on that portion only.
- Start off strong with 0% Intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers. A variable APR of 17.24% - 25.99% on balance transfers and purchases after the introductory period ends.
- Lower your interest rate by 2% each year. Automatically be considered for an APR reduction when you pay on time, and spend at least $1000 on your card by your next account anniversary.
- Raise your credit limit. Get an automatic, one-time review for a higher credit limit when you pay on time, and spend $500 in your first six months.
- All for no annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Slate Edge℠ card
- Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR on Purchases 18 months
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0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 18 months
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17.24% - 25.99% Variable
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$0
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Good/Excellent
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- INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
- Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
- After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 17.24% - 25.99%.
- No annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months
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0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months
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17.24% - 25.99% Variable
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$0
|
Good/Excellent
|
- One-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 17.99%-27.99% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
0% for 15 months
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0% for 15 months
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17.99% - 27.99% (Variable)
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$0
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Excellent, Good
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Depending on your credit and needs, you may be able to find a good financing deal on a rewards credit card. This could help you earn cash back, points, or miles on your medical bills, which can help take a little of the edge off high-priced procedures, especially when paired with an intro-APR deal.
Just remember not to charge more than you can pay off in a reasonable amount of time. While any balance remaining after your promotional period expires won’t be subject to deferred interest, it will start accruing interest at the regular purchase rate, which will likely be at least 15% or more.
Best Rewards Credit Cards for Paying Medical Bills
While there are many situations in which getting a good financing deal on your medical bills is the main concern, patients who can pay off their medical bills right away will have other priorities. Namely, scoring the best rewards on their necessary medical expenses.
Since we couldn’t find any credit cards that have a dedicated bonus category for medical purchases, you may want to simply use your favorite rewards card. Or, make the most of a big bill by using it to get closer to the spending requirement for a new card’s signup bonus.
- INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
- Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
- After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 17.24% - 25.99%.
- No annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months
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0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months
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17.24% - 25.99% Variable
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$0
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Good/Excellent
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- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
- For a limited time, earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 16.99% - 26.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
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0% Intro APR Period 18 months on Balance Transfers
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16.99% - 26.99% (Variable)
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$0
|
Excellent, Good
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Additional Disclosure: Citi is a CardRates advertiser.
- One-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 17.99%-27.99% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
0% for 15 months
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0% for 15 months
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17.99% - 27.99% (Variable)
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$0
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Excellent, Good
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Of course, the key to turning a signup bonus into big savings is to ensure you don’t wind up paying interest fees on your purchases — especially since cards with big bonuses tend to forgo intro-APR offers.
This means interest charges begin on any purchases you carry past your due date after just one billing cycle. So, make sure you actually have the funds on hand to repay your purchases before you start charging your way to a signup bonus spending requirement.
Best Balance Transfer Offers for Existing Medical Expenses
While intro-APR offers and emergency savings accounts can do a lot to prevent a future problem from turning into debt, what about your past medical expenses? If you have current credit card debt that’s sitting around accruing interest at a high rate, you may want to consider a balance transfer.
By transferring a balance from a card with a high rate to one with a lower rate, you can save on interest fees. And, if you have at least good credit, you may qualify for a credit card that offers an intro-APR deal on balance transfers that can drop your interest rate to 0%.
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- NEW! Discover helps remove your personal information from select people-search websites. Activate by mobile app for free.
- Every $1 you earn in cash back is $1 you can redeem.
- No annual fee.
- Click "Apply Now" to see terms and conditions.
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR for 6 months
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0% Intro APR for 18 months
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14.24% - 25.24% Variable APR
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$0
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Excellent/Good
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- No Late Fees, No Penalty Rate, and No Annual Fee... Ever
- 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 17.74% - 27.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- Stay protected with Citi® Quick Lock and $0 liability on unauthorized charges
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR Period 12 months on Purchases
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0% Intro APR Period 21 months on Balance Transfers
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17.74% - 27.74% (Variable)
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$0
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Excellent, Good Credit
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Additional Disclosure: Citi is a CardRates advertiser.
- 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 16.74% - 26.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Get free access to your FICO® Score online.
- With Citi Entertainment®, get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more.
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
0% 12 months on Purchases
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0% 21 months on Balance Transfers
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16.74% - 26.74% (Variable)
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$0
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Excellent, Good
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Additional Disclosure: Citi is a CardRates advertiser.
The main downside to balance transfers is that most credit cards will charge a balance transfer fee. Transfer fees typically range from 3% to 5% of the total transferred amount and are charged by the card to which you are transferring your balance.
Keep in mind that you’ll only be able to transfer a balance up to the card’s credit limit, and that the balance transfer fee will be added to the balance, reducing the total amount you can transfer.
Best Credit Cards Specifically for Medical Expenses
Dedicated medical credit cards are very similar to store credit cards in how they operate. Primarily, medical credit cards are closed-loop, meaning they can typically only be used for medical purchases with a single provider.
Additionally, the financing deals offered through medical cards, like those offered by most store cards, tend to operate with deferred interest. This means that you’ll need to pay off your full financed amount before the end of your financing period to avoid interest fees.
If any amount of your balance remains when your offer expires, you’ll be charged interest on the entire financed amount, not just the part that’s left. For those who can pay off their balance before the deadline, however, these cards may be worthwhile.
10. CareCredit
The CareCredit card provides short- and long-term financing for a variety of medical bills, from chiropractic to urgent care, and the application process can be done directly online. Zero-interest financing plans are available with terms of 6, 12, 18, or 24 months, depending on purchase (and creditworthiness).
- Special 0% financing of 6, 12, 18, or 24 months depending on your purchase
- No interest if paid within promotional period
- Longer-term plans available with low interest rates
If you need longer than 24 months to pay off your medical purchase, you may qualify for CareCredit longer-term financing for 24-, 36-, 48- or 60-month terms at a reduced interest rate. These plans require fixed monthly payments.
11. AccessOne MedCard
The AccessOne MedCard provides both 0% and low-rate financing, depending on the amount you need to finance and your personal credit profile. However, the site states that all credit types are welcome, and you won’t be turned down due to poor credit.
- Special 0% or low-interest financing, depending on your needs and credit
- No minimum credit score to qualify
- Does not report to credit bureaus
Long-term plans with 0% interest will have higher monthly payments. For a lower monthly payment, you can obtain a low-interest loan. There are also plans for partial financial assistance, high deductibles, and catastrophic balances.
12. Wells Fargo Health Advantage
Wells Fargo Health Advantage is an in-office medical credit card applied for with your provider. It’s offered by a range of medical services practices, including dental, hearing aid, eye surgery, and veterinary offices.
- Special financing plans with fixed monthly payments allow you to pay over time
- Plans have competitive APRs
- Revolving credit line
While the card promotes “competitive APRs,” the lack of 0% financing makes it less-than-ideal for large medical costs, as even low interest fees can add up quickly. If you can’t qualify for a 0% financing deal elsewhere, however, this could be a good option.
(The information related to Wells Fargo Health Advantage has been collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.)
Manage Your Medical Bills with the Right Card
Although a good plan can make all the difference in a great many situations, some of life’s little surprises defy planning and prediction.
If you’re faced with unexpected medical bills, your credit card may be a useful tool for financing your medical expenses, particularly if you can qualify for a good intro-APR offer.
However, avoid making purchases with your credit cards that you can’t repay in a reasonable amount of time. Interest fees can add up quickly, turning a medical emergency into a financial one before you know it.
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Editorial Note: Our site content is not provided or commissioned by any credit card issuer(s). Opinions expressed on CardRates.com are the author's alone, not those of any credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by credit card issuers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information; however, all credit card offer details, including information about rewards, signup bonuses, introductory offers, and other terms and conditions, is presented without warranty. Clicking on any offer on CardRates.com will direct you to the issuer's website, where you can review the current terms and conditions of the offer.
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