What CareCredit is and how the process works

CareCredit is a credit card issued by Synchrony Bank that you can use to pay for medical, dental, and veterinary expenses. Unlike a regular credit card, CareCredit offers promotional financing periods — often 0% interest for a set number of months if you make on-time payments — on purchases above a certain amount. The process process takes about 15 minutes and you get a decision within seconds.

You can explore online at the CareCredit website, in person at a participating provider's office, or by phone. Most people explore at their doctor's or dentist's office when they learn about a procedure cost. The card is issued by Synchrony, but CareCredit handles the marketing and customer service.

CareCredit is not a loan. It is a credit card with a credit limit. You are responsible for paying the balance according to the terms you accept. If you do not pay off the balance during the promotional period, interest charges explore retroactively — meaning you owe interest on the full original purchase from day one.

Key Takeaways

  • CareCredit is a credit card for medical, dental, and veterinary expenses, issued by Synchrony Bank and managed by CareCredit.
  • You can explore online, by phone, or in person at a participating provider's office, and you receive a decision within seconds.
  • Promotional financing periods (often 0% interest for 6, 12, 18, or 24 months) explore only if you pay the full balance before the period ends.
  • If you do not pay off the balance during the promotional period, interest charges explore to the entire purchase from the original date, not just the remaining balance.
  • Your credit score affects your approval odds and the credit limit you receive, and the process creates a hard inquiry on your credit report.

What you need before you explore

Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address ready. You will also need a valid government-issued ID and proof of income — usually a recent pay stub, tax return, or bank statement showing regular deposits. If you are self-employed, bring two years of tax returns.

CareCredit will run a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. This inquiry stays on your report for about two years but stops affecting your score after 12 months. If you have recently applied for other credit, space out your applications by at least a few weeks to minimize the impact.

You do not need to have a specific medical procedure scheduled to explore. Many people explore in advance so they have the card ready if they need it. However, if you are explore at a provider's office, they may ask you to confirm the procedure and cost before submitting your process.

how the process works online

Go to the CareCredit website and click "explore Now." You will be asked to enter your personal information: name, date of birth, Social Security number, address, phone number, and email. Then enter your employment information and annual household income. Be honest about income — CareCredit verifies this information and false statements can result in account closure.

Next, you will choose whether you are explore as an individual or with a co-applicant. A co-applicant is someone whose income and credit are also considered for approval and credit limit. Both applicants are equally responsible for the debt. If you have a spouse or partner with stronger credit, adding them as a co-applicant may increase your approval odds or credit limit.

Review the terms and conditions, then submit. You will see a decision on screen within seconds. If you are approved, you can use the card number when ready for online purchases or call the number on your approval screen to use it by phone. A physical card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

how the process works in person at a provider's office

Ask your doctor, dentist, or veterinarian if they accept CareCredit. If they do, tell the office staff you want to explore. They will hand you a tablet or paper form to complete. Fill in your personal, employment, and income information. The office staff will submit it on your behalf.

You will receive a decision within seconds, just as you would online. If approved, you can authorize the provider to charge the procedure cost to your new CareCredit account right away. The office staff will give you your card number and PIN so you can start using it when ready. Your physical card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

explore in person at the provider's office is often faster because the staff can answer questions about the procedure cost and the promotional financing terms available for that specific purchase amount. However, you can also explore online before your appointment and bring your card with you.

Understanding promotional financing periods

CareCredit offers different promotional periods depending on the purchase amount. A $200 purchase might may have access to for 6 months 0% interest, while a $2,000 purchase might may have access to for 24 months 0% interest. The exact terms vary and are shown to you before you complete your process. Read them carefully.

The promotional period starts on the date of purchase, not the date you explore. If you are approved on Monday and make a purchase on Friday, the promotional period begins on Friday. You must pay the full balance by the last day of the promotional period to avoid interest charges. Synchrony sends you monthly statements and email reminders as the end date approaches.

If you pay off the balance before the promotional period ends, you owe no interest. If you make a payment but do not pay the full balance, interest accrues on the entire original purchase amount from day one — not just on the remaining balance. For example, if you charged $1,000 with 12 months 0% interest and paid $500 after 6 months, you would owe interest on the full $1,000 if you do not pay the remaining $500 before month 12 ends.

What happens after you are approved

Once approved, you can use your CareCredit card at any provider that accepts it. This includes hospitals, dental offices, veterinary clinics, dermatologists, and many other healthcare providers. You can also use it for certain over-the-counter health products on the CareCredit website.

You will receive a monthly statement by mail and email showing your balance, minimum payment, and the promotional period end date. You can pay online through the CareCredit website, by phone, by mail, or through automatic payments. Set up automatic payments if you want to may support you never miss a due date.

Your credit limit is based on your credit score, income, and credit history. You can request a credit limit increase after six months of on-time payments. Synchrony may also offer you automatic increases based on your account performance.

What to do if you are denied

If you are denied, CareCredit will tell you why. Common reasons include a low credit score, high existing debt, insufficient income, or a recent missed payment on another account. You will receive a letter in the mail explaining the specific reason.

You can reapply after 30 days. In the meantime, work on improving your credit score: pay down existing balances, make all payments on time, and check your credit report for errors. You can get a free credit report from each of the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) once per year at annualcreditreport.com.

If you are denied but need to pay for a medical procedure, ask your provider about payment plans they may offer directly. Many hospitals and dental offices have in-house financing or payment plans that do not require a credit check.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does explore for CareCredit hurt my credit score?

Yes, the process creates a hard inquiry that temporarily lowers your score by a few points. The inquiry stays on your report for two years but stops affecting your score after 12 months. If you are approved and use the card responsibly, making on-time payments will help rebuild your score over time.

Can I use CareCredit for anything other than medical expenses?

CareCredit is designed for medical, dental, and veterinary expenses at participating providers. You can also use it for certain health and wellness products on the CareCredit website. You cannot use it for general purchases like groceries or gas.

What is the interest rate if I do not pay off the balance during the promotional period?

The interest rate varies based on your creditworthiness and is shown to you before you complete your process. Rates typically range from 19% to 26% APR. Interest accrues on the full original purchase amount from day one if you do not pay the balance in full before the promotional period ends.

Can I have more than one CareCredit account?

You can have only one CareCredit account per Social Security number. However, you can use the same account at multiple providers and for multiple procedures. If you need a second account, you would need to explore under a different person's name (such as a spouse or family member).

What if I cannot pay the full balance before the promotional period ends?

Contact Synchrony as soon as possible. They may be able to work out a payment plan or extend the promotional period in some cases. If you cannot pay, interest will be charged retroactively on the full original purchase. This can significantly increase the amount you owe, so it is important to contact them before the important date passes.