What CareCredit bill pay is and how it works

CareCredit is a credit card issued by Synchrony Bank that you use to pay for medical, dental, and veterinary expenses. When you carry a balance, you need to make payments each month. CareCredit bill pay lets you send that payment through their website or mobile app instead of mailing a check or calling a phone number.

The payment goes to your CareCredit account and reduces what you owe. You can pay the full balance, the minimum amount due, or any amount in between. Payments typically post within one to two business days after you submit them online.

Key Takeaways

  • You can pay your CareCredit bill online through their website or mobile app by logging into your account.
  • Payments made online usually post within one to two business days, so plan ahead if your due date is soon.
  • You can set up automatic monthly payments so you do not have to remember to pay each month.
  • If you pay less than the full balance, interest charges will continue to accrue on the remaining amount.
  • Paying on time helps you avoid late fees and protects your credit score from damage.

How to make a one-time payment online

Log into your CareCredit account on the Synchrony website or open the CareCredit mobile app. Once you are signed in, look for a "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now" button — this is usually on your account dashboard or in the main menu.

Enter the amount you want to pay. You can choose to pay your full balance, your minimum payment, or a custom amount. Then select your payment method: you can pay from a checking or savings account, or use a debit card. Review the details and confirm the payment. You will see a confirmation number on screen — write this down or take a screenshot for your records.

Setting up automatic payments

If you want to stop thinking about your CareCredit bill each month, you can set up automatic payments. Log into your account and find the "Automatic Payments" or "Recurring Payments" section. You will choose the amount (minimum payment, full balance, or a fixed dollar amount), the day of the month you want it to come out, and your payment method.

Automatic payments mean the money leaves your bank account on the same day each month without you having to log in. If your balance changes, a fixed dollar amount will stay the same, but a "minimum payment" or "full balance" option will adjust. You can pause or cancel automatic payments anytime through your account settings.

Payment methods and timing

CareCredit accepts payments from a U.S. checking or savings account and from debit cards. You cannot pay with a credit card. Payments made before 8 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day usually post the next business day. Payments made after 8 p.m. or on weekends and holidays post the following business day.

Because of this timing, if your due date is coming up soon, do not wait until the last day. A payment submitted on the due date itself may not post in time to avoid a late fee. If you are cutting it close, call the CareCredit customer service number on the back of your card to confirm whether your payment will arrive before the important date.

What happens if you miss a payment

If your payment does not arrive by the due date shown on your statement, CareCredit will charge a late fee. The amount varies but is typically $25 to $35 for the first late payment. A late payment also gets reported to the credit bureaus and can lower your credit score.

If you realize you are going to miss a due date, contact CareCredit before the date passes. They may be able to work with you on timing or temporarily adjust your due date. The sooner you call, the more options you may have. Do not ignore the bill — the longer you wait, the more fees and interest charges pile up.

Interest charges and promotional periods

CareCredit offers promotional periods on certain purchases — often 6, 12, or 24 months with no interest if you pay off the full amount by the end of the period. If you do not pay the balance in full by the important date, all the interest that would have accrued during the promotional period gets added to your account at once. This can be a large surprise charge.

To avoid this, keep track of when your promotional period ends and plan to pay off the balance before that date. If you cannot pay it all off, you can ask CareCredit about extending the promotional period or moving the balance to a new promotional offer, though this is not may provide. Any balance you carry after the promotional period ends will accrue interest at the regular rate, which varies based on your creditworthiness.

Troubleshooting payment problems

If you submitted a payment online but do not see it posted after two business days, log back into your account and check the payment status. Sometimes a payment is still "pending" and will post soon. If it shows as rejected, the most common reasons are an incorrect bank account number, insufficient funds, or a closed account.

If your payment was rejected, you will need to submit it again with the correct information. Call the number on the back of your card if you are unsure why it failed. If you are worried about missing your due date because of a payment problem, ask the representative if they can note your account or temporarily extend your due date while you resubmit the payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my CareCredit bill by phone?

Yes. Call the customer service number on the back of your CareCredit card and a representative can take a payment over the phone using your bank account or debit card. This is useful if you do not have online access or prefer to speak with someone.

What if I want to pay more than my balance?

You can overpay your CareCredit account, and the extra amount will sit as a credit on your account. You can use this credit toward future charges, or you can request that Synchrony refund the overpayment to your bank account. Contact customer service to request a refund if you do not plan to use the credit.

Do I have to pay the full balance or can I pay just the minimum?

You can pay any amount between the minimum and the full balance. However, if you only pay the minimum, interest will continue to accrue on the remaining balance (unless you are in a promotional period). Paying more than the minimum reduces the total interest you pay over time.

What if I am on a promotional 0% interest period?

You still need to make payments during the promotional period. If you pay off the entire balance before the period ends, you pay no interest. If you do not pay it all off by the important date, the full promotional interest gets added to your account. Set a reminder for the end date so you do not miss it.

Can I change my automatic payment amount or date?

Yes. Log into your account, find your automatic payment settings, and edit the amount or date. Changes usually take effect on your next scheduled payment. If you need to change it before then, you may need to cancel the current automatic payment and set up a new one.