SearchCareCredit FAQs for Dermatology Providers: Patient Financing Basics
Get clear, simple answers about how CareCredit works for dermatology practices, how it can help patients move forward with care and how it fits into your practice’s workflow.
By Synchrony Health & Wellness
Jul 31, 2026 - 10 min read
Key Takeaways
- Many dermatology patients face out-of-pocket costs for elective procedures, deductibles and copays.
- Worries about costs can lead to delays, pared-back plans or missed follow-through.
- The CareCredit credit card offers flexible financing options that can help patients move forward with dermatology care by making out-of-pocket expenses manageable.
Patients often face out-of-pocket costs in dermatology like copays, deductibles, elective and non-covered services, cosmetic procedure upgrades, multi-session packages and skincare products.In fact, the average out-of-pocket cost is $465 for cosmetic dermatology and $222 for medical dermatology, according to Synchrony’s Dermatology Patient Journey study.1
This dermatology-focused FAQ helps your team answer dermatology patient financing and cosmetic procedure financing questions consistently by phone, at consults and during checkout and follow-up.
Patient Financing FAQs for Dermatology Practices
CareCredit is a patient financing solution that can be used for eligible dermatology services and products. Since its inception, cardholders have financed more than $157 billion in care with the CareCredit credit card.
Cardholders who qualify and are approved can take advantage of special financing options for 6, 12, 18 or 24 months on qualifying purchases of $200 or more. Interest will be charged from the purchase date if the promotional balance is not paid in full by the end of the promotional period.* CareCredit also offers longer-term reduced-APR financing for 24, 36 or 48 months on purchases of $1,000 or more, or 60 months on purchases of $2,500 or more.**
These options can help patients fit payments into their budget and allow them to move forward with the recommended dermatology care they want or need.
How does CareCredit work for dermatology offices?
- Patients check if they prequalify (with no impact on credit score) via your practice’s custom link or QR code.
- They apply and receive a credit decision right away.
- If approved, they can use their new account the same day to pay for eligible dermatology services and products.
- Patients can make payments over time, with no additional accounts receivable tasks for your team.
How can CareCredit be used in dermatology care?
CareCredit is accepted at 290,000+ locations nationwide. Cardholders can use it for eligible dermatology services and products at enrolled CareCredit providers, as well as for other eligible health and wellness services at enrolled provider locations.
What eligible dermatology services and products can patients use CareCredit for?
- Body contouring treatments
- Cosmetic dermatology consultation fees
- Injectables
- Laser and light-based treatments (resurfacing and hair removal)
- Patient-responsibility portions for medical dermatology (e.g., procedures with a deductible or copay)
- Skincare products and regimens purchased through the practice
How can CareCredit help improve the dermatology patient financial journey?
According to Synchrony’s Healthcare Journey Research Consumers and Providers study, 61% of surveyed patients would prefer to learn about payment options directly from their provider.2 Offering dermatology patient financing and cosmetic procedure financing can help support patients in budgeting for elective procedures, treatment packages and skincare regimens.
| Benefits for patients | Benefits for dermatology practices |
|---|---|
| Instant credit decision and same-day usage, if approved | Your practice receives payment within two business days along with free tools, digital assets, and support |
| Can help reduce patient hesitation and treatment delays | Helps simplify patient cost discussions for your team |
| Flexible financing options help patients budget for eligible necessary or elective treatments | Reduces workload for accounts receivable |
| Can be used toward deductibles, copays and packages | Helps with patient satisfaction and retention |
| Convenient online and in-person payment options | Supports steady flow of payments |
CareCredit FAQs: What Dermatology Practices Need to Know
Get answers to common questions about using CareCredit in a dermatology practice so your team can help patients understand their options, apply and pay for dermatology costs in a way that fits their budget.
How do patients learn more about CareCredit?
Dermatology practices that are CareCredit providers receive a custom link and QR code that launches a digital, self-guided process for patients. Patients can use that link or QR code to see if they prequalify (with no impact to their credit score), apply and get a credit decision on the spot (within six seconds!). If approved, they can use their new account the very same day.
Can patients use CareCredit for a purchase or plan that includes multiple visits?
If approved, dermatology patients can use one transaction with the CareCredit credit card to finance packages, bundled services and treatment plans that will be rendered within 90 days of the initial purchase. They can purchase the service in one transaction versus making three separate transactions during that time.
How Payments, Processing and Revenue Cycles Work With CareCredit
CareCredit can help streamline the way your dermatology team administrates payments and account reconciliations while supporting the flow of payments for your practice.
How are CareCredit transactions processed for dermatology providers?
CareCredit uses a secure online system that allows dermatology providers to process transactions in the CareCredit Provider Center. Patients can also pay your practice online using your custom link. Your practice will be paid in two business days, and can access daily funding and other reports to support your account reconciliation process.
Can our dermatology practice choose which financing options we offer?
Yes. Practices can choose which options to present; however, six months of promotional financing is always available on purchases of $200 or more. Selected options must be consistently communicated to all patients, without exception.
What are the CareCredit processing fees for providers?
Provider processing fees depend on the special financing option, if any, a purchase is processed with. Fees are transparent and do not change based on a patient’s credit score. CareCredit does not charge providers annual or monthly fees.
How can CareCredit help our dermatology practice manage the flow of payments?
When patients use the CareCredit credit card for approved out-of-pocket expenses, your practice receives payment within two business days. Patients can use CareCredit to pay for expenses like deposits, elective procedures and products. They can also pay post-visit balances after insurance adjustments using your custom link or QR code. Your practice receives a predictable flow of payments and your team spends less time on outstanding invoices.
FAQs on Dermatology Provider Education, Marketing Tools and Support
CareCredit providers get access to a library of marketing resources including signage and scripts your team can use during consult, at the front desk and during checkout to explain financing options to your dermatology patients.
Other free tools CareCredit providers receive include:
- Coordinator scripts for dermatology patient financing and cosmetic procedure financing
- Custom link and QR code for online payments
- Dedicated support from our Practice Development Team
- Listing in the Provider Locator on carecredit.com, which receives more than 2.9 million total average unique visitors per month3
- A Payment Calculator
- Pre-visit emails or texts with your custom link to prompt early budgeting
- Ready-to-use digital assets, patient-facing signage, payment calculators and social content
- Treatment plan and package quote templates that include CareCredit
Patient Demand and Promotional Financing: What Dermatology Practices Need to Know
Patients are often interested in learning about patient financing for dermatology as they decide how to proceed with a recommended course of treatment. This section includes important information for your team about CareCredit financing options.
Are patients interested in promotional financing?
Dermatology care often includes elective aesthetics or multi-session packages, and patients may appreciate options to manage these costs over time.
According to the 2023 Dermatology Patient Journey study:1
- Nearly half (45%) of cosmetic dermatology patients surveyed and 1 in 4 medical dermatology patients surveyed are surprised by the cost.
- As many as 21% of dermatology patients find it difficult to pay.
- More than half prioritize payment options when selecting a provider.
- Half of current CareCredit cardholders will switch providers if they don’t specifically offer CareCredit.
Every day, more than 22,000 patients and clients across all income levels apply for the CareCredit credit card — that's an average of over 900 applications per hour.*** Cardholders collectively have access to an estimated $40 billion in available credit.
What financing options are available to patients?
CareCredit has special financing offers to help give patients and clients a convenient way to pay:
- No Interest If Paid in Full option within 6, 12, 18 or 24 months promotional financing on qualifying purchases of $200 or more. Interest will be charged from the purchase date if the promotional balance is not paid in full by the end of the promotional period.*
- Reduced APR with fixed monthly payment offers are:**
- 24 months with a 17.90% APR on purchases of $1,000 or more
- 36 months with an 18.90% APR on purchases of $1,000 or more
- 48 months with a 19.90% APR on purchases of $1,000 or more
- 60 months with a 20.90% APR on purchases of $2,500 or more
Standard account terms apply to purchases that don’t qualify for promotional financing options.
How do patients pay deposits and post-care balances outside the office?
Dermatology patients can use their CareCredit card to pay the deposit for a scheduled procedure or to prepay a treatment package using your custom link up to 30 days before the procedure date. Payment is fast, easy and secure, and you will be paid within two business days.
After care, CareCredit provides a contactless, self-guided way for cardholders to pay their bills by scanning your personalized QR code or clicking on your custom link.
What if a patient doesn’t pay their CareCredit balance?
Regardless of whether a patient defaults, your practice receives payment in just two business days. CareCredit is non-recourse, which means that if a patient does not pay, it’s not your responsibility.† The financing relationship is between CareCredit and the cardholder.
A Patient Financing Solution for Your Dermatology Practice
Want to help ease the cost concerns patients have regarding their dermatology care? Then you may want to consider offering the CareCredit credit card as a financing solution. CareCredit allows cardholders to pay for dermatology procedures, treatments and products over time while helping enhance the payments process for your practice.
When you accept CareCredit, patients can see if they prequalify with no impact to their credit score, and those who apply, if approved, can take advantage of special financing on qualifying purchases.†† Additionally, you will be paid directly within two business days.
Learn more about the CareCredit credit card as a patient financing solution for your dermatology practice or start the provider enrollment process by filling out this form.
Healthcare payment and financing solution
The CareCredit health and wellness credit card helps improve the payment experience for patients and clients, and your financial performance.
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Get Started*No interest will be charged on the promo balance if you pay it off, in full, within the promo period. If you do not, interest will be charged on the promo balance from the purchase date. The required minimum monthly payments may or may not pay off the promo balance before the end of the promo period, depending on purchase amount, promo length and payment allocation. Regular account terms apply to non-promo purchases and, after promo period ends, to the promo balance. For New Accounts as of 5/30/2024: Purchase APR 32.99%. Penalty APR 39.99%. Min Interest Charge $2. CareCredit Rewards Mastercard: Cash APR 32.99% and 4% Fee ($10 min). Bal Trans APR 32.99% and 5% Fee ($5 min). Foreign Trans Fee 3%. Existing cardholders: See your credit card agreement terms. Subject to credit approval.
**Interest will be charged on promo purchases at a reduced APR from the purchase date. Fixed monthly payments are required until paid in full and will be calculated as follows: on 24-month promotions 4.9876% of initial promo purchase amount; on 36-month promotions 3.6605% of initial promo purchase amount; on 48-month promotions 3.0377% of initial promo purchase amount or on 60-month promotion 2.6997% of initial promo purchase amount. The fixed monthly payment will be rounded up to the next highest whole dollar and may be higher than the minimum payment that would be required if the purchase was a non-promo purchase. During the last month(s) of the promo period the required monthly payment may be reduced due to the prior months’ rounding. Regular account terms apply to non-promo purchases. For New Accounts as of 5/30/2024: Purchase APR 32.99%. Penalty APR 39.99%. Min Interest Charge $2. CareCredit Rewards Mastercard: Cash APR 32.99% and 4% Fee ($10 min). Bal Trans APR 32.99% and 5% Fee ($5 min). Foreign Trans Fee 3%. Existing cardholders: See your credit card agreement terms. Subject to credit approval.
***Includes all prequalified offers of credit.
†Subject to the representations and warranties in your Agreement with Synchrony.
The information, opinions and recommendations expressed in the article are for informational purposes only. Information has been obtained from sources generally believed to be reliable. However, because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by our sources, or any other, Synchrony and any of its affiliates, including CareCredit, (collectively, “Synchrony”) does not provide any warranty as to the accuracy, adequacy, or completeness of any information for its intended purpose or any results obtained from the use of such information. The data presented in the article was current as of the time of writing. Please consult with your individual advisors with respect to any information presented.
© 2026 Synchrony Bank.
Sources:
1 Dermatology Patient Journey, Synchrony, 2023. (CareCredit is a Synchrony solution.)
2 Healthcare Journey Research Consumers and Providers report, Synchrony, 2023. (CareCredit is a Synchrony solution.)
3 January-December 2023 Airship Report