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Jenna Flannigan is an editor for Bankrate with more than 10 years of professional experience in writing, editing, and digital media. In her previous role, she was a managing editor at Healthline Media.
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Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison
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and other home lending products. Other factors, such as our own proprietary
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Healthcare costs can be shockingly high, even for those with insurance. For 2024 HealthCare.gov Marketplace plans, the out-of-pocket maximum is $9,450 for individuals. That can be a lot of money for an insured person, and for people without insurance, costs can be exorbitant.
If you can’t cover medical expenses with a health savings account, flexible spending account or your personal savings, you might consider a credit card. For example, a credit card with a zero interest APR offer on purchases could help you spread costs over time.
However, charging medical expenses to a credit card may be financially risky. Interest charges can quickly add up, and you might be able to find other financing options that suit you better. But if you’re confident you can pay off a credit card balance before interest starts accruing, you could enjoy added benefits from some credit cards, such as rewards.
Discover some of the best credit cards for medical expenses and what factors to consider in choosing a card that works for you.
Comparing the best cards for medical expenses
Which card is best for you depends on your circumstance and needs. Some people may opt for a rewards card, while others might prefer to avoid interest. Use this table to compare credit card rewards, intro APR offers and other charges and fees. None of these cards come with an annual fee.
3 percent cash back on health, home and auto purchases
1 percent cash back all other purchases
N/A
14.99% -29.99% APR
Top cards for medical expenses
Best for rewards on medical and drugstore needs
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5
If you have a stack of medical bills to pay and you want to maximize on this spending to earn rewards while avoiding interest payments for a time, the Chase Freedom Unlimited is worth a look. For those with recurring prescription or medical device expenses, the main draw is the 3 percent back on drugstore purchases — a bonus category you won’t find on many cards.
Pros
This card has terrific first-year value: an attainable welcome offer, plus you can earn one of the highest bonus rates for combined gas and grocery purchases during the first year.
You won't accrue interest for a little over a year with this card's decent APR offer, making it worthwhile if you need to pay off large medical bills.
Cons
The APR can be relatively high, so you'll want to pay off any medical expenses (or come close to it) before the intro APR offer ends to avoid medical debt.
You could get hit with a high penalty APR if you make a late payment, which could last indefinitely.
Best for generous 0 percent intro APR offers and perks
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
4.3
If rewards are not a priority and you just want to avoid interest for as long as you can, the Wells Fargo Reflect Card might be the ideal pick. This card features one of the lengthiest intro APR offers on the market, giving you a considerable stretch of time to help with ongoing or unexpected medical costs.
Pros
Depending on your creditworthiness, you could qualify for a relatively low APR if you need extra time to pay off your balance.
This card comes with decent perks for a no-annual-fee card, like cell phone protection, Roadside Dispatch® and My Wells Fargo Deals.
Cons
With no consistent rewards program, this card has little long-term value.
The balance transfer fee is on the higher end at 5 percent (minimum $5), which could affect your potential savings.
Best general card for medical expenses
AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® from Barclays
The AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® from Barclays is one of the only cards that includes medical expenses as a bonus category. You can earn 3 percent back on gas station and drugstore purchases (excluding Target and Walmart), 2 percent cash back on other eligible medical expenses and 1 percent back on all other purchases.
This no-annual-fee card also offers a terrific intro APR offer on balance transfers, so it’s a solid card if you need to consolidate medical debt.
Pros
This card's medical bonus category covers a wide range, including purchases made with dentists, ambulance services and medical/dental labs (as classified by merchant category codes).
With fraud liability protection and complimentary online access to your credit score, you can stay on top of medical fraud and your credit.
Cons
Since this card does not offer an intro APR offer on new purchases, it might not be the best option for managing upcoming medical expenses.
This card has a relatively high APR, so you should pay your balance in full each billing cycle to avoid credit card debt.
Best for earning cash rewards with intro APR offers
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
4.3
If you are looking to turn medical bills into cash rewards with no hassle, the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card could fit the bill. Cardholders earn one of the highest flat rates on purchases at 2 percent with this card. Coupled with intro APR offers on both purchases and balance transfers, the Active Cash card could make a great everyday rewards card, especially if you have ongoing medical expenses.
Pros
You can enjoy a lucrative rewards rate on all eligible purchases without tracking bonus categories.
The intro APR offer for balance transfers gives you 120 days from account opening to transfer your debt and qualify for the intro rate — longer than most competitor cards.
Cons
This card charges a foreign currency conversion fee, making it less ideal if you need to travel abroad for medical reasons.
For attractive perks like travel protection or annual statement credits, you'll need to look elsewhere.
Best for consolidating medical debt
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
4.3
You can also consider the no-annual-fee U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card if you have a lot of medical debt on other credit cards and need to consolidate and pay it down. Similar to the Wells Fargo Reflect card, you can avoid interest on balance transfers and new purchases for almost two years. You won’t earn rewards, but you can enjoy cell phone protection (up to two $600 claims per 12-month period when you pay your monthly phone bill with your card, with a $25 deductible) and, if eligible, choose your automatic payment due date.
Pros
You may be eligible for alternative pay-over-time options, such as the U.S. Bank ExtendPay® Plan.
You can check your credit score anytime for free (enrollment required).
Cons
Since this card does not have a rewards structure, you won't earn rewards for ongoing medical expenses.
While you can take advantage of benefits like cell phone protection, overall the perks are minimal.
Best financing offered in partnership with your provider
CareCredit®
Not a traditional credit card, CareCredit is a line of credit offered by medical professionals whose customers need help with medical costs. CareCredit lets you borrow money to cover medical expenses and pay them off over time with promotional “deferred interest” financing. As long as you can pay your balance in full before the promotional financing period ends, you could get some breathing room with this option.
Pros
Instead of a deferred interest plan, you can opt for a long-term promotional financing plan at a lower interest rate.
You can see if you prequalify with no impact to your credit score.
Cons
Since it's a deferred interest payment plan, you'll be charged a high APR on the entire amount you financed if you don't pay off the balance before the promotion ends.
Though CareCredit is accepted at thousands of locations, you can only use this card with providers who have enrolled in the program.
Best for low interest
Backd Line of Credit - Line of Credit
The Wells Fargo Health Advantage® Card can only be used at participating healthcare providers, but it offers a competitively low ongoing APR. If you qualify, then this card might be a strong option to help you manage medical expenses if you need to carry a balance. You can also take advantage of special financing promotions for more flexibility in payment options. However, make sure these promotions are zero interest rather than deferred interest offers.
Pros
This card's low interest rate is hard to beat and can save you a significant amount in interest charges.
You can use this card with a variety of healthcare providers, including at dental and vision offices, and even veterinary services for your pet.
Cons
You'll need to check that your healthcare provider accepts this card as a form of payment before using it.
Since it offers no rewards and can only be used with healthcare providers, this card has limited everyday value.
Best for earning rewards on medical costs
Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®
Rating: 3.3 stars out of 5
3.3
With the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa® card, you can earn top rewards for health expenses, such as purchases at drug stores and pharmacies, medical and dental labs, and optometrist and ophthalmologist offices. However, you’ll need to pay your balance in full to earn these rewards. Also, this card doesn’t offer an introductory zero interest period, but if you qualify for the lower end of its APR range then you could avoid hefty interest charges.
Pros
This card's health bonus category is versatile, including health and beauty spas, bicycle shops, sporting goods stores and public golf courses.
With a potentially low APR, you could save a lot on interest — helping you to manage ongoing medical costs.
Cons
Since this card does not have an introductory APR offer, it might not be the best option to consolidate medical debt.
Rewards are earned by paying off the balance in full, so if you are only making minimum payments, you won't see any rewards.
Expert advice on paying medical expenses with a credit card
Before you decide to put your medical bills on a credit card, consider these expert tips and make a plan for managing your medical costs.
Choose a zero interest card over a deferred interest card, if possible.
You may want to watch out for deferred interest offers. A deferred interest card will still accumulate interest during the introductory or promotional period but you won’t be charged until the offer ends. If you still owe a balance, you will be responsible to pay the back interest that accumulated during the offer period plus the ongoing new interest charges. So if you are unable to pay the balance in full, a deferred interest card can actually increase your medical debt.
On the other hand, a zero interest credit card will not accrue any interest during its introductory offer period. If you have a balance when the period ends, you will then be charged interest, but there is no additional back interest to worry about.
Sometimes it can be hard to distinguish between a deferred interest card and zero interest card. Read the fine print of any card you’re considering that has an introductory offer so you can take care to meet the requirements and avoid falling into a deferred interest trap.
Consider all your options.
While using a credit card to cover medical costs can be helpful, it can also be risky since you might be charged a high interest rate if you can’t pay your balance in full.
Instead, you might look into other financing options to pay down your medical debt like getting a line of credit, personal loans or medical loans. Many medical providers also offer their own low-interest or zero-interest payment plans. Additionally, you can contact your provider’s medical billing office to find out about federal and local organizations that offer financial assistance.
Pay your balance in full.
No matter the type of card, it’s best to pay your balance in full to avoid interest charges. Once you start accruing interest, your medical debt can balloon quickly. On top of being a source of stress, significant debt can have a negative impact on your credit score. Take advantage of zero interest intro offers so you can clear your medical expenses interest-free.
How to choose the best card to pay for medical expenses
If you plan to charge medical expenses to a credit card, asking yourself these questions could help you decide which card best matches your needs.
How much debt do I need to pay off?
Spend some time figuring out how much you’ll owe in medical bills when all is said and done. If your medical debt is manageable, a card that offers rewards and a shorter 0 percent APR intro offer may be a good option.
If it’s a hefty sum, consider credit cards with longer 0 percent APR intro offers even if they don’t have rewards.
Do I want to earn rewards?
Some cards for medical expenses offer rewards for every dollar you spend, but not everyone needs a rewards card, especially if you are working to decrease spending and pay off debt. Cash back credit cards can entice you to spend more since you know you’re getting something in return.
If you need to lower your medical debt, you should consider a rewards credit card only if you’re also taking advantage of the card’s intro APR offers and if you can pay your medical balance off before the introductory APR offer ends.
What kind of intro APR offer do I prefer?
Compare introductory APR offers so you know what you’re getting. Some cards offer 0 percent intro APR only on balance transfers, and these cards may charge interest on any new purchases if you carry a balance (including from a balance transfer). Other cards extend zero interest to both purchases and balance transfers for a limited time. Decide which intro offer will meet your needs best.
Frequently asked questions about paying medical expenses with credit cards
The major risk is high interest rates if you can’t pay off your balance in full each billing cycle. If it takes a long time to pay down your medical expenses, the interest charges could be exorbitant. Plus, credit card debt could negatively impact your credit.
Typically, if you pay with a credit card, you’ll no longer be in a position to negotiate with medical providers. Once providers receive their money from the issuer, you’ll have to shoulder any medical expenses charged to your card.Keep in mind that some hospitals and healthcare providers offer in-house payment options and discounts that could act as alternatives to charging your credit card. This approach also enables you to deal with the provider directly.
That will depend on your financial situation. If you pay your balance in full at the end of your card’s billing cycle or intro APR offer, then charging medical expenses can be convenient and, if it’s a rewards card, can deliver some earnings too. But if you’ll start incurring interest or late fee charges, your debt could snowball and damage your credit. Instead, you might consider options like taking out a low-interest personal loan.
What next?
With Bankrate’s debt management resources, you can start working toward medical debt relief with personalized payment plans and expert guidance.
Looming medical costs can become a financial burden. However, strategically using credit cards for medical expenses can help manage upcoming bills or prior medical debt. Choose a card with a 0 percent intro APR offer that fits your goals or, if you have recurring costs, consider one that rewards medical spending.
But be aware that if you can’t pay off your balance each billing statement or when the intro APR period ends, then you could be hit with a high interest rate that will increase your medical debt and may hurt your overall credit. If you’re having trouble finding the funds to pay your bills, consider exploring alternatives such as a payment plan from your medical provider, a line of credit or a personal loan.
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Thomas, Ph.D., R. (2024, February 25). Best credit cards for medical expenses. Bankrate. Retrieved May 07, 2025, from https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/advice/should-you-have-a-medical-credit-card/
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Thomas, Ph.D., Reena. "Best credit cards for medical expenses." Bankrate. 25 February 2024, https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/advice/should-you-have-a-medical-credit-card/.
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Thomas, Ph.D., Reena. "Best credit cards for medical expenses." Bankrate. February 25, 2024. https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/advice/should-you-have-a-medical-credit-card/.
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We use primary sources to support our work. Bankrate’s authors, reporters and editors
are subject-matter experts who thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the
information you’re reading is accurate, timely and relevant.
We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our
goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you
with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original
and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare
information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with
confidence.
Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to,
American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and
Discover.
The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate, we have a mission to demystify the credit cards industry — regardless or where you are in your journey — and make it one
you can navigate with confidence. Our team is full of a diverse range of experts from credit card pros to data analysts and, most importantly,
people who shop for credit cards just like you. With this combination of expertise and perspectives, we keep close tabs on the credit
card industry year-round to:
Meet you wherever you are in your credit card journey to guide your information search and help you understand your options.
Consistently provide up-to-date, reliable market information so you're well-equipped to make confident decisions.
Reduce industry jargon so you get the clearest form of information possible, so you can make the right decision for you.
At Bankrate, we focus on the points consumers care about most: rewards, welcome offers and bonuses, APR, and overall customer experience.
Any issuers discussed on our site are vetted based on the value they provide to consumers at each of these levels. At each step of the way,
we fact-check ourselves to prioritize accuracy so we can continue to be here for your every next.
Editorial integrity
Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first.
Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right
financial decisions.
Key Principles
We value your trust. Our mission is to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have
editorial standards in place to ensure that happens. Our editors and reporters thoroughly fact-check editorial
content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate. We maintain a firewall between our advertisers and
our editorial team. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our advertisers.
Editorial Independence
Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU – the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you
make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced
by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked
to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and
dependable information.
How we make money
You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master
your money for over four decades.
We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to
succeed throughout life’s financial journey.
Bankrate follows a strict
editorial policy,
so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and
reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial
decisions. The content created by our editorial
staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers.
We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and
useful tools to you by explaining how we make money.
Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison
service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and
services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore,
this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within
listing categories, except where prohibited by law for our mortgage, home equity
and other home lending products. Other factors, such as our own proprietary
website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your
self-selected credit score range, can also impact how and where products appear
on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, Bankrate does not
include information about every financial or credit product or service.
Quick citation guide
Select a citation to automatically copy to clipboard.
APA:
Thomas, Ph.D., R. (2024, February 25). Best credit cards for medical expenses. Bankrate. Retrieved May 07, 2025, from https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/advice/should-you-have-a-medical-credit-card/
Copied to clipboard!
MLA:
Thomas, Ph.D., Reena. "Best credit cards for medical expenses." Bankrate. 25 February 2024, https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/advice/should-you-have-a-medical-credit-card/.
Copied to clipboard!
Chicago:
Thomas, Ph.D., Reena. "Best credit cards for medical expenses." Bankrate. February 25, 2024. https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/advice/should-you-have-a-medical-credit-card/.
