CareCredit bill payment basics
CareCredit is a credit card issued by Synchrony Bank that you use to pay for medical, dental, and veterinary expenses. Once you have a balance, you can pay it through CareCredit's online portal, by phone, by mail, or through automatic payments. The card issuer does not charge a fee for any of these payment methods.
Your monthly payment is due by the date shown on your statement. If you miss a due date, CareCredit will report the late payment to credit bureaus and may charge a late fee. The amount of your minimum payment depends on your balance and the terms of your account — some promotional offers require you to pay a set amount each month to avoid interest charges on the full balance.
Understanding where your payment goes and how long it takes to post is important, especially if you are on a promotional 0% interest plan. A payment made online usually posts within one business day, while a mailed check can take five to seven business days to arrive and process.
Key Takeaways
- You can pay CareCredit through the online portal, by phone at 1-866-300-3963, by mail, or through automatic bank transfers set up in your account.
- Online and phone payments post within one business day; mailed payments take five to seven business days, which matters if you are near a promotional period important date.
- Your minimum payment amount is set by CareCredit and shown on your statement — paying only the minimum may not protect you from interest if you are on a promotional plan.
- Late payments are reported to credit bureaus and trigger late fees, so setting up automatic payments removes the risk of missing a due date.
Paying online through the CareCredit portal
Log in to your CareCredit account at synchronybank.com or through the CareCredit mobile app. Once you are signed in, select "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now." You will be asked to choose a payment amount and a payment method — you can pay from a checking or savings account, or use a debit card.
CareCredit will show you the payment due date and the current balance before you confirm. After you submit the payment, you will receive a confirmation number. The payment posts to your account within one business day, though the funds may take longer to leave your bank account depending on your bank's processing time.
If you do not have an online account yet, you can create one at synchronybank.com using your Social Security number and the account number on your CareCredit card. You will need to set up a username and password, and Synchrony may ask you security questions to verify your identity.
Setting up automatic payments to avoid missed due dates
Automatic payments remove the risk of forgetting a payment important date. In your online account, go to "Manage Automatic Payments" and choose whether you want to pay a fixed amount each month, your minimum payment, or your full statement balance.
You can set the payment date to any day between the 1st and the 28th of the month. If you choose a date after your statement due date, your payment will still post on time because Synchrony processes automatic payments several days before the scheduled date. You can change or cancel an automatic payment at any time through your online account.
Automatic payments are drawn from a checking or savings account you provide. Make sure the account has enough funds on the scheduled payment date, or the payment may fail and you could be charged a late fee.
Paying by phone or mail
To pay by phone, call CareCredit customer service at 1-866-300-3963. A representative will ask for your account number and the amount you want to pay, then process the payment from your checking account or debit card. Phone payments post within one business day, the same as online payments.
To pay by mail, send a check or money order to the address shown on your statement. Write your account number on the check. Mailed payments take five to seven business days to arrive and post, so send your payment at least 10 days before your due date if you want to avoid a late fee. Do not send cash through the mail.
Keep a record of the confirmation number if you pay by phone, or a copy of the check if you pay by mail. If your payment does not post within the expected timeframe, you can contact CareCredit with this information to track it down.
Understanding promotional payment plans and interest
CareCredit offers promotional financing periods — commonly 6, 12, 18, or 24 months at 0% interest — when you use the card at participating providers. During the promotional period, you must make a minimum monthly payment to avoid interest being charged on the full original balance retroactively.
The minimum payment is calculated by CareCredit and shown on your statement. It is usually the balance divided by the number of months remaining in the promotional period, rounded up. If you pay only the minimum each month, you will pay off the balance by the end of the promotional period without interest.
If you miss a minimum payment or pay less than the required amount, the promotional offer ends when ready and interest accrues on the entire original balance from the purchase date. This can result in a large interest charge even if you have only one month left in the promotional period. Paying more than the minimum does not hurt — it only reduces the balance faster and saves you interest.
What to do if a payment fails or does not post
If an automatic payment fails, CareCredit will send you a notice. This usually happens because your bank account does not have enough funds. Contact your bank to confirm the funds are available, then log into your CareCredit account and try the payment again manually, or call customer service at 1-866-300-3963 to process it by phone.
If you sent a mailed check and it has been more than seven business days since you mailed it, contact CareCredit with the check number and amount. A representative can search for the payment in the system. If the check was lost, you may need to stop payment on the original check through your bank and send a new one.
If a payment posts late and you are charged a late fee, you can ask CareCredit to waive it if this is your first late payment or if you have a good payment history. Call customer service and explain the situation — they have discretion to remove the fee in some cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my CareCredit bill with a credit card or another card?
No. CareCredit only accepts payments from a checking or savings account, or a debit card. You cannot pay with a credit card, including another CareCredit card. This prevents you from running up debt on multiple cards.
What happens if I pay more than the minimum?
Paying more than the minimum reduces your balance faster and saves you interest if you are on a promotional plan. The extra payment posts to your account and lowers the amount you owe. There is no penalty for overpaying, and you can pay the full balance at any time without a prepayment fee.
How do I know if my payment was received?
Online and phone payments show a confirmation number when ready after you submit them. Mailed payments can be tracked by keeping a copy of the check or money order. You can also log into your account online to see your payment history and current balance, which updates within one business day of a payment posting.
What if I cannot afford my minimum payment?
Contact CareCredit customer service at 1-866-300-3963 to discuss your options. Synchrony may be able to adjust your payment plan or offer a hardship program, though this varies by situation. Ignoring the payment will result in late fees and damage to your credit, so calling early is better than waiting.
Do I have to pay the full balance before the promotional period ends?
No. You only need to make the minimum monthly payment shown on your statement to avoid interest. If you have a balance remaining after the promotional period ends, interest will be charged on that remaining balance going forward at the standard purchase rate for your account.