Where and how to send your CareCredit payment
You can pay your CareCredit card through three main routes: online through your account, by phone, or by mail. The online method is fastest — you log into your CareCredit account at carecredit.com, enter your payment amount, and choose your payment date. Payments made online typically post within one business day.
To pay by phone, call the customer service number on the back of your card. A representative will walk you through the payment and can answer questions about your balance or due date in real time. Phone payments also usually post within one business day.
If you prefer to mail a check, send it to the address listed on your monthly statement. Write your account number on the check and allow 7 to 10 business days for the payment to arrive and post. Mailed payments take longer, so plan ahead if your due date is coming up.
Key Takeaways
- Online and phone payments post within one business day, while mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days.
- You can set up automatic payments through your CareCredit account to avoid missing a due date.
- Your minimum payment and due date appear on your monthly statement and in your online account.
- Late payments trigger interest charges and may damage your credit score, so paying by the due date matters even if you pay only the minimum.
- If you cannot pay the full balance, contact CareCredit to discuss payment plans or hardship options before your account falls behind.
Setting up automatic payments to avoid missed due dates
Automatic payments remove the risk of forgetting your due date. Log into your CareCredit account, go to the payment settings section, and choose the amount you want to pay each month — you can set it to the minimum, a fixed dollar amount, or the full balance. Select the date you want the payment to come out of your bank account each month.
Once automatic payments are active, the money will transfer on your chosen date each month without you having to do anything. You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime through your account, and you will receive a confirmation email each time a payment is processed. This is especially useful if you have a promotional financing period with CareCredit, because missing a payment can end the promotional rate and trigger interest charges on your entire balance.
Understanding your statement and due date
Your CareCredit statement shows your current balance, minimum payment amount, and due date. The due date is typically 25 days after your statement closes. If you pay only the minimum by the due date, you avoid a late fee, but you will still owe interest on any remaining balance — unless you are in a promotional period with 0% interest.
Your statement also lists every charge you made during the billing period, so you can verify that all medical or dental expenses are correct. If you spot a charge you did not authorize, contact CareCredit customer service right away to dispute it. Disputes must be reported within 60 days of the charge appearing on your statement.
What happens if you miss a payment or pay late
A payment is considered late if it arrives after your due date. CareCredit charges a late fee — the amount varies but is typically $25 to $40 — and the late payment is reported to the credit bureaus. A single late payment can lower your credit score by 50 to 100 points, depending on your current score and credit history.
If you are in a promotional financing period (such as 12 months 0% interest), a late payment will end that promotion when ready. Your remaining balance will then accrue interest at the regular rate, which is typically 19% to 26% APR. This means a $2,000 balance could suddenly cost you $300 to $500 in interest charges over the year. If you think you will miss a payment, contact CareCredit before the due date to discuss your options.
Payment plans and hardship options if you cannot pay in full
If you cannot pay your balance in full, you have options beyond just paying the minimum. CareCredit offers promotional financing plans at the time of purchase — for example, 12 months 0% interest on purchases of $200 or more — but these are set when you use the card, not after.
If you are already behind or struggling to pay, call CareCredit customer service to discuss what is available. Some cardholders have been able to negotiate a temporary reduction in their minimum payment or a modified payment schedule. The company may also offer a hardship program if you are experiencing financial difficulty. These options are not may provide, but they are worth asking about before your account goes to collections.
Paying more than the minimum to reduce interest charges
If you are not in a promotional period, paying only the minimum means you will pay interest on your remaining balance every month. The longer you carry a balance, the more interest you pay overall. For example, a $3,000 balance at 22% APR paid at the minimum (usually 1% to 3% of your balance) will take roughly 3 to 4 years to pay off and cost you $1,500 or more in interest.
Paying more than the minimum shrinks your balance faster and cuts the total interest you pay. Even an extra $50 per month can save you hundreds in interest and get you out of debt years sooner. If you have the cash available, putting it toward your CareCredit balance is usually a better choice than letting it sit in a savings account earning minimal interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my CareCredit card with another credit card?
No, CareCredit does not accept credit card payments. You can pay only with a bank account (online or by phone), check, or money order. If you are considering using another credit card to pay CareCredit, that usually means you are carrying more debt than you can manage — consider contacting a credit counselor to discuss your options.
What if I pay online but my payment does not show up right away?
Online payments typically post within one business day. If more than one business day has passed and your payment still does not appear in your account, log back in and check your payment history to confirm the payment was processed. If it shows as processed but your balance has not changed, contact CareCredit customer service with your confirmation number.
Does paying early help my credit score?
Paying early does not directly boost your score, but it does prevent late payments, which hurt your score. What matters most for your credit is paying by the due date and keeping your balance low relative to your credit limit. Paying early is smart if it helps you avoid missing a due date or if you are trying to pay off debt faster.
What is the difference between my statement balance and my current balance?
Your statement balance is what you owed on the day your statement closed. Your current balance includes any new charges you have made since then. When you make a payment, it reduces your current balance. If you want to pay off everything you owe, pay your current balance, not just your statement balance.
Can I set up a payment plan to avoid interest charges?
Interest-free payment plans are offered at the time you use your card for a medical or dental purchase — for example, 12 months 0% interest. Once that promotional period ends, you will owe interest on any remaining balance. You cannot create a new 0% plan after the fact, but you can pay down your balance as fast as possible to minimize the interest you owe.