What CareCredit is and how it works
CareCredit is a credit card issued by Synchrony Bank that you can use to pay for medical, dental, and veterinary services at participating providers. You don't use it like a regular Visa or Mastercard — you can only swipe it at doctors, dentists, eye doctors, and other healthcare providers who accept it. The card comes with promotional financing offers, usually 0% interest for a set period (often 6, 12, or 24 months) if you make your minimum payments on time.
The main appeal is that you can spread a large medical bill across months without paying interest during the promotional window. After that period ends, any remaining balance gets charged a standard interest rate, which varies but typically runs 19% to 27% APR depending on your creditworthiness and the offer you received.
CareCredit is not a loan you request from a lender. It's a credit product you request directly from Synchrony, either online, by phone, or in your provider's office. Your provider doesn't decide whether you get it — Synchrony does, based on your credit history and income.
Key Takeaways
- CareCredit is a credit card for healthcare costs only, issued by Synchrony Bank, and you can only use it at participating medical and dental providers.
- You can receive a decision in minutes if you explore online, and many providers let you explore right in the office before your procedure.
- Promotional 0% interest periods typically last 6 to 24 months, but interest kicks in on any unpaid balance after that period ends.
- Your credit score affects whether you're approved and what interest rate you'll pay after the promotional period, so a higher score improves your odds and terms.
- If you're denied, you can still ask your provider about payment plans, medical loans, or other financing options that don't require a credit card.
How to request CareCredit before or during a medical visit
The easiest path is to ask your healthcare provider's office if they accept CareCredit. If they do, you can often fill out a request form right there — on paper or on a tablet in the waiting room. You'll need your Social Security number, date of birth, income, and current address. Synchrony will give you a decision within minutes in most cases, and if approved, you can use the card when ready for that visit.
You can also request CareCredit online at the Synchrony website before you see a provider. This takes about 5 to 10 minutes and follows the same process: personal information, income, and Social Security number. You'll get a decision right away, and if approved, you'll receive a virtual card number you can use when ready, with a physical card arriving by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
If you prefer to talk to someone, you can call Synchrony at 1-800-677-0718. A representative can walk you through the request process and answer questions about promotional periods and interest rates before you commit.
What information you need to have ready
Synchrony will ask for the same basic details any credit card issuer needs. Have your Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and phone number available. You'll also need to provide your annual household income — this doesn't have to be exact, but it should be honest and in the ballpark of what you actually earn.
If you're self-employed or your income varies, use an average from the past year or your most recent tax return. Synchrony uses income partly to set your credit limit, so overstating it won't help you — they verify income on larger limits and will catch discrepancies.
You don't need to know the exact cost of your procedure ahead of time. Synchrony will set a credit limit based on your creditworthiness and income, and you can use up to that limit at any participating provider.
Understanding promotional financing periods and what happens after
CareCredit's main draw is the 0% interest offer during the promotional period. The length of that period depends on the specific offer Synchrony gives you and the provider you're using — common windows are 6 months, 12 months, or 24 months. During this time, you pay no interest as long as you make at least the minimum payment each month.
Here's the catch: if you don't pay off the full balance by the time the promotional period ends, interest charges kick in on the remaining balance. That interest is calculated retroactively, meaning you'll owe interest on the entire original purchase amount from day one, not just on what's left. For example, if you charged $2,000 with a 12-month 0% offer and paid $1,500 over the year, you'd owe interest on the full $2,000 for all 12 months, not just on the $500 remaining.
To avoid this, you need to pay off the entire balance before the promotional period ends. Set a reminder on your phone for one month before the important date. If you can't pay it all off, contact Synchrony to ask about extending the promotional period or switching to a different offer — they sometimes allow this, though it's not may provide.
How your credit score affects your chances and your terms
Synchrony pulls your credit report when you request CareCredit, so the decision depends on your credit history, not just your income. A higher credit score improves your odds of approval and usually gets you a better promotional offer (longer 0% period) and a higher credit limit.
If your credit score is below 600, approval is less likely but not impossible — Synchrony does approve people with lower scores, though the credit limit may be smaller and the promotional period shorter. If you're denied, it's usually because of recent missed payments, high existing debt, or a very thin credit file.
A hard inquiry appears on your credit report when you request CareCredit, which can lower your score by a few points temporarily. This matters only if you're planning to request other credit (a mortgage, car loan, or another card) within the next few weeks. Multiple CareCredit requests within a short window count as separate inquiries, so space them out if you're considering multiple providers.
What to do if you're denied or don't want to use a credit card
If Synchrony denies your request, ask your healthcare provider about other options. Many providers offer in-house payment plans that don't require a credit check — you straightforward agree to pay a set amount each month. These plans usually have no interest, though some charge a small monthly fee.
Medical loans are another route. Companies like Prosper Healthcare and PatientFi offer loans specifically for medical costs, and approval standards can be more flexible than CareCredit's. These are actual loans with fixed terms and interest rates, so you know exactly what you'll pay each month and when you'll be done.
If you have time before your procedure, you can also work on your credit score. Paying down existing debt or correcting errors on your credit report can raise your score enough to improve your odds if you request CareCredit again in a few months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use CareCredit at any doctor or dentist?
No — CareCredit only works at providers who have signed up to accept it. Ask your provider's office directly, or search the Synchrony website for participating locations near you. If your provider doesn't accept it, ask about their own payment plans or whether they accept other medical credit cards.
What happens if I only make the minimum payment?
If you make the minimum payment but don't pay off the full balance by the end of the promotional period, interest charges explore retroactively to the entire original amount. This can add hundreds of dollars to your bill. Always aim to pay the full balance before the 0% period ends.
Can I request CareCredit if I have bad credit?
Synchrony approves people with lower credit scores, though approval is less certain and your credit limit may be smaller. If you're denied, ask your provider about payment plans or medical loans, which sometimes have more flexible approval standards.
Does requesting CareCredit hurt my credit score?
Yes, a hard inquiry appears on your credit report and can lower your score by a few points temporarily. This matters only if you're planning to request other credit within the next few weeks. The impact fades after a few months.
What if I can't pay off the balance before the promotional period ends?
Contact Synchrony before the important date to ask about extending the promotional period or switching to a different offer. They sometimes allow this, though it's not may provide. If they can't help, you'll owe interest on the full original amount, so budget for that cost.