Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.
Insurance can be tricky to navigate, especially when you are visiting the doctor or dentist for an emergency or even last minute procedure. With their convoluted requirements and ways of answering the question without actually answering the question, it is often difficult to figure out if a procedure is covered.
In fact, finding out that your insurance doesn't cover a medical service you received is a common occurrence. Unfortunately, when this happens, it can leave people in a sticky spot where they're scrambling to try and figure out how to pay their medical bills out of pocket.
Not everyone has thousands of unclaimed dollars sitting in savings, ready to be used for last-minute medical or dental procedures. Thankfully, CareCredit is a medical credit card that is available in these situations!
We've done the research, so you don't have to! Here is everything you need to know about CareCredit to help you make more informed financial decisions.
Already have CareCredit and want to know where you can use it? Read our list of stores that accept Care Credit or if you are looking for stores that accept FSA cards this handy list will help you use those FSA dollars before they expire.
In This Post:
What is Care Credit?
CareCredit cards are available “at over 250,000 enrolled providers across the nation. Once you've applied, you can use it again and again at any location that accepts CareCredit.” Individuals across the nation can sign up for CareCredit through a doctor, dentist, or even a veterinarian's office that are considered CareCredit “providers.”
Being so widely available makes them a reliable safety net for those who may need assistance in paying for uninsured medical and dental procedures. As you may know, insurance doesn't always cover certain types of dental procedures or even beauty alterations. However, that doesn't mean those procedures aren't important to your health or life happiness.
CareCredit dental allows you to pay for basic services such as the 6-month check-up as well as more intricate procedures involving ceramic fillings and root canals. Signing up for CareCredit to pay for dental procedures or any other uncovered medical expenses gives you the ability to take care of yourself without added financial stress!
Does CareCredit Have An Annual Fee?
Impressively, CareCredit doesn't come with pesky annual fees that will make you regret signing up in the first place. In fact, there are short-term financing options that will allow you to pay off the medical bill within 6, 12, 18 or even 24 months without the worry of interest building up.
Taking care of medical bills is stressful enough without the added pressure of having to keep track of annual fees. As such, CareCredit's payment process, website, and even terms of use are all designed to be easy to understand and straightforward.
Does Care Credit Hurt Your Credit?
Signing up for a credit card will always have some type of short-term impact on your credit score. This is due to the fact that your credit has to be “ran” or checked in order for CareCredit or any other company to safely provide you with a line of credit.
This isn't considered “hurting” your credit, though, as it is only temporary. Many people find that within a few months of signing up for a credit card, their credit score recovers or even exceeds what it once was. As long as you make your payments on time, your credit will not be harmed!
Can I Only Use my CareCredit card on Procedures?
Oftentimes, our medical or dental procedures are followed up with prescriptions and other care items needed to ensure we stay healthy. CareCredit Walmart allows cardholders to purchase a variety of items relevant to health and wellness!
From prescriptions and even prescription pet medicine to diapers and car seats, the CareCredit card is perfect for those big-ticket purchases. In addition, the CareCredit Walmart card covers services such as optics and the Walmart Care Clinic.
Does CareCredit Cover Vet Bills?
Yes! There is CareCredit for pets available as well. Pet insurance is available, but how many of us actually go through the motions of signing our pets up for that? Even if we did, it is likely the insurance policy wouldn't cover everything needed for your pet's procedure or even aftercare.
Would you like to get your dog microchipped, but you can't stomach the cost right now? Well, that is a service CareCredit covers, so you can make small payments over an extended amount of time. nCareCredit for pets covers a variety of procedures and services including, but not limited to, annual check-ups, teeth cleaning, parasites, chemotherapy, and even vaccinations.
Final Thoughts
With no annual fees and the ability to pay off medical bills over extended amounts of time without the burden of interest rates, CareCredit is a great option!
Not only does CareCredit remove some of the stress of having to pay for expensive procedures and medical-related items, but it is also a great way to safely build your credit history. For more helpful financial tips, check out our blog on Everything You Want to Know About Buy Now Pay Later.