How to Pay Your CareCredit Bill

What CareCredit is and how bill payment works

CareCredit is a credit card issued by Synchrony Bank that you use to pay for healthcare and wellness services — dental work, veterinary care, cosmetic procedures, hearing aids, and similar expenses. When you use the card, you're borrowing money from Synchrony, and you then owe a bill each month, just like any other credit card.

To pay your CareCredit bill, you log into your account online, call Synchrony's customer service line, set up automatic payments, or mail a check to the address on your statement. The payment methods available depend on which option you choose. Your minimum payment is due by the due date shown on your statement — usually 25 days after your statement closes — and paying late triggers interest charges and may damage your credit score.

CareCredit offers promotional financing on some purchases: you may see offers like "12 months special financing" or "24 months special financing" at the point of sale. If you take a promotional offer and don't pay the full balance before the promotional period ends, Synchrony charges you interest retroactively on the original purchase amount, even if you've paid down most of it. This is why understanding your statement and payment important date matters.

Key Takeaways

• You can pay your CareCredit bill online through your Synchrony account, by phone at the number on your statement, by automatic bank transfer, or by mailing a check.
• Your minimum payment is due by the date listed on your statement, typically 25 days after your statement closes.
• If you have a promotional financing offer, you must pay the full balance before the promotional period ends or you will be charged interest retroactively on the entire purchase.
• Paying late results in interest charges, late fees, and a negative mark on your credit report.
• You can view your balance, due date, and payment history by logging into your online account or calling Synchrony customer service.

Paying online through your Synchrony account

The fastest way to pay is through the Synchrony website or mobile app. Go to mysynchrony.com, enter your username and password, and select "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now." You can pay from a checking or savings account (ACH transfer) or use a debit card. Synchrony does not charge a fee for ACH payments, but debit card payments may carry a fee depending on your bank.

When you make an online payment, Synchrony shows you your current balance, minimum payment due, and the due date. You can choose to pay the minimum, the full balance, or any amount in between. The payment usually posts to your account within one business day if you pay before 8 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day; payments made after that time or on weekends post the next business day.

If you don't have an online account yet, you can create one at mysynchrony.com by entering your card number and other identifying information. Synchrony will send you a temporary password by email, which you use to log in and set a permanent password.

Paying by phone or automatic payments

You can pay by phone by calling the number on the back of your CareCredit card or on your statement. A representative will ask for your card number, the amount you want to pay, and the bank account or debit card you're paying from. Phone payments are processed the same day if you call before the cutoff time (usually 8 p.m. Eastern Time on business days).

To set up automatic payments, log into your online account and select "Autopay" or "Automatic Payments." You choose the payment amount (minimum payment, full statement balance, or a fixed amount), the day of the month the payment should be taken, and the bank account to draw from. Automatic payments remove the risk of forgetting a due date, but you should still check your statement each month to make sure the payment amount is correct, especially if your balance changes.

You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime through your online account or by calling customer service. If you cancel, you're responsible for making manual payments on time.

Mailing a check or paying in person

If you prefer to pay by mail, write a check to Synchrony Bank and include your account number or card number on the check. The mailing address is on your statement. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to reach Synchrony and post to your account, so mail your payment well before your due date to avoid a late payment.

CareCredit does not have physical payment locations where you can pay in person. Your only in-person option is to pay at a bank or check-cashing service if they offer bill payment services, but this still goes through the mail and takes the same amount of time.

Understanding your statement and due dates

Your CareCredit statement shows your opening balance, all charges and payments made during the billing period, your new balance, your minimum payment due, and your due date. The due date is usually 25 days after your statement closing date. If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, Synchrony extends it to the next business day.

Interest charges appear on your statement if you carried a balance from the previous month and don't have a promotional financing offer covering that balance. The interest rate (APR) varies based on your creditworthiness and is shown on your statement and in your account. If you have a promotional offer, the statement will show the promotional period end date and remind you that interest will be charged if you don't pay in full by that date.

You can view your full statement online anytime by logging into your account. Synchrony also mails paper statements if you request them, though online statements are the default.

What happens if you miss a payment or pay late

If your payment doesn't arrive by the due date, Synchrony charges a late fee (the amount varies but is typically $25 to $35) and begins charging interest on your balance at the rate shown on your statement. A late payment also appears on your credit report and can lower your credit score.

If you miss a payment by 30 days or more, Synchrony may report the account as delinquent to the credit bureaus. If you miss a payment by 60 days or more, the account may be sent to a collection agency, and you may receive calls or letters from collectors. Delinquent accounts stay on your credit report for seven years.

If you're unable to make a payment on time, contact Synchrony customer service as soon as possible. They may be able to work with you on a payment plan or temporary hardship arrangement, though this is not may provide. It's better to call before you miss a payment than after.

Promotional financing and early payoff

When you use CareCredit at a healthcare provider, you may see a promotional financing offer at checkout — for example, "12 months special financing" or "24 months 0% APR." If you take the offer and make your minimum payments on time, you won't be charged interest during the promotional period. However, if you don't pay the full balance by the end of the promotional period, Synchrony charges you interest retroactively on the original purchase amount.

For example, if you charge $1,200 on a 12-month promotional offer and pay $100 per month, you'll have paid $1,200 by the end of 12 months and owe no interest. But if you pay $90 per month and still owe $120 at the end of 12 months, Synchrony charges you interest on the full $1,200 from the original purchase date, not just the remaining $120. This interest charge can be substantial.

To avoid this, calculate what you need to pay each month to clear the balance before the promotional period ends. Your statement shows the promotional end date and the amount you need to pay to avoid interest. You can also pay more than the minimum at any time without penalty.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a CareCredit payment to post?

Online and phone payments post within one business day if made before 8 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day. Payments made after that time or on weekends post the next business day. Mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and post.

Can I pay my CareCredit bill with another credit card?

No, Synchrony does not accept credit card payments for CareCredit bills. You can pay with a debit card, bank account (ACH), check, or by phone, but not with another credit card.

What happens if I pay more than my minimum payment?

Paying more than your minimum reduces your balance faster and lowers the interest you'll be charged. There is no penalty for overpaying, and you can pay any amount up to your full balance at any time.

Can I change my due date?

Synchrony does not allow you to change your statement due date, but you can set up automatic payments for any day of the month you choose, which gives you flexibility in when the payment is taken from your account.

What should I do if I think there's an error on my CareCredit statement?

Contact Synchrony customer service by phone or through your online account to report a disputed charge or billing error. Synchrony will investigate and respond within 30 days. You can also dispute charges through your online account by selecting the transaction and choosing "Report a Problem."