12 Health and Wellness Financing Options That Let You Pay Over Time

Whether you’re planning a dental procedure, starting a weight management program or replacing hearing aids, paying for health and wellness care often means covering costs that insurance doesn’t fully pay. In a March 2026 CareCredit study, respondents reported spending an average of $3,391 out of pocket on healthcare expenses over the past 12 months.¹

For many consumers, those costs lead them to delay care. In fact, more than half of patients surveyed in Synchrony’s Healthcare Journey Research Consumers and Providers study said they’ve postponed treatment because of cost.²

Fortunately, a variety of financing options can spread costs over time, creating more predictable monthly payments and making it easier to move forward with care.

What Are Common Health and Wellness Expenses?

Health and wellness expenses can vary depending on the type of care you receive and what your health insurance covers. Even a one-time procedure or wellness treatment may involve additional costs for follow-up visits, prescriptions, medical equipment or ongoing treatment.

Some common health and wellness expenses include:

• Medical and preventive. Even with health insurance, coverage gaps can leave you with a bill to pay, such as coinsurance, copays or deductibles. In addition, you could face costs for diagnostic tests, certain prescriptions or physical therapy.
• Elective care and treatments. Though some people have supplemental insurance to cover dental, vision and hearing care, many of these services may still require you to pay out of pocket. Coverage for elective types of care such as dermatology (if cosmetic), med spa (where offered) and fertility treatments may be limited or require you to pay entirely out of pocket.
• Lifestyle and programs. Managing your health with support programs such as weight management, nutrition coaching, mental health therapy or sleep therapy can be life-changing, but also costly in some cases.
• Equipment and products. Durable medical equipment, which can include CPAP machines, hospital beds or hearing aids, is another category that may require out-of-pocket payments, depending on your insurance coverage and provider.

What Is Health and Wellness Financing?

Health and wellness financing refers to payment options that let you receive eligible care now and pay over time — or use pretax funds you’ve already set aside for qualified healthcare expenses.

Depending on the option you choose, financing may involve a loan, installment plan, revolving line of credit or tax-advantaged account.

Here are key financing terms to know:

• APR (annual percentage rate). The annual cost of borrowing on a credit card or loan, expressed as a percentage; it may be fixed (generally stays the same) or variable (may change based on a benchmark rate like the price rate).
• Deferred interest. Interest accrues from the purchase date, but isn’t charged if the balance is paid in full before the promotion period ends. Otherwise, if any promotional balance remains after that date, the accrued interest is added to the account.
• Hard credit check. A credit inquiry that may affect your credit score and is commonly required when you complete a formal credit application for a credit-based financing option.
• Installment loan. Fixed payments made on a regular schedule toward a balance, with the full amount due by a specific date, providing a clear outline of payment responsibilities.
• Late fee. A charge that may apply if you miss a required payment.
• Line of credit. A revolving credit account you can borrow from as needed up to your approved credit limit.
• Promotional financing. Special financing terms offered for eligible purchases for a defined promotional period (e.g., deferred interest or reduced APR), subject to credit approval and minimum monthly payments. Offer details, including minimum purchase requirements and term length vary by program, merchant and product. (With CareCredit, promotional financing includes terms starting at six months for purchases of $200+.)*
• Soft credit check. A credit inquiry that doesn’t affect your credit score. It may be used by some lenders or programs to prequalify you for a credit-based financing option.

12 Financing Options Patients Can Use

If you’re considering health and wellness care, here are several financing options you can explore.

1. BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) for health and wellness

BNPL is a short-term installment loan that breaks a bill into a set number of equal payments (usually four) and is often offered with no interest, though fees (such as late or returned payment fees) may apply.³

• Best for: Self-pay treatments and programs with a clear total price
• Pros: Fast approval decisions; predictable payments; may use soft credit checks
• Cons: Missed payments can lead to fees and may affect credit; availability varies by provider

2. Fixed monthly installment loans

Having a predictable payment schedule in which you pay the same amount each month may help make a large bill more manageable.

• Best for: Larger treatment plans or multi-visit programs
• Pros: Set payoff timeline; consistent monthly payment
• Cons: Less flexibility than a revolving line of credit; APR and fees vary

3. Medical loans

Some lenders offer personal loans designed to help cover healthcare expenses.⁴ Depending on the lender, funds may be sent directly to your provider or deposited into your account so you can pay for treatment.

• Best for: Dental implants, LASIK, fertility, hearing aids, major out-of-pocket costs
• Pros: Often higher borrowing limits and longer repayment periods
• Cons: Credit-based approval; origination fees possible

4. Provider payment plans

Some health and wellness providers offer in-house payment plans that allow you to divide the cost of care into smaller payments over an agreed-upon period. Terms, eligibility requirements and repayment schedules vary by practice.

• Best for: Smaller balances or ongoing care
• Pros: Convenient; payments are made directly to the provider; may not require traditional lending approval
• Cons: Terms differ by provider; missed payments may go to collections

5. Health savings accounts

A health savings account (HSA) is a tax-advantaged savings account that allows you to use funds to pay for qualified medical expenses. However, because you must be enrolled in a high-deductible health plan to qualify for an HSA, not everyone has access to this type of account.⁵

• Best for: Qualified medical expenses; those with a high-deductible health plan
• Pros: Pretax dollars; funds can roll over year to year; potential investment growth
• Cons: Must have funds available; qualified expense rules apply; contribution limits

6. Flexible spending accounts

A flexible spending account (FSA), which you set up through your employer, lets you set aside pretax dollars that you can use to pay for certain eligible out-of-pocket healthcare costs.⁶

• Best for: Predictable qualified expenses (often dental, vision or prescriptions)
• Pros: Pretax savings; helpful for planned spending
• Cons: Annual deadlines and use-it-or-lose-it rules; contribution limits

7. Employer reimbursement plans

Health reimbursement arrangements are another type of employee benefit. You typically receive a fixed amount that you can use to pay eligible out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.⁷

• Best for: Employees whose plans reimburse eligible out-of-pocket expenses
• Pros: Employer-funded; tax-advantaged
• Cons: Eligibility and covered categories vary by employer plan

8. Health and wellness credit cards and credit lines

A health and wellness credit card gives you a flexible, revolving line of credit, but is separate from other cards you may use for everyday expenses. Some health and wellness credit cards allow providers to offer promotional financing on certain purchases.

• Best for: Repeat and ongoing care; flexibility to use the same credit line for multiple visits; planned payoffs that align with the promotional terms (when offered)
• Pros: Reusable revolving line of credit; quick access at time of services; one-time application can support multiple future purchases
• Cons: Promotional financing terms vary and may be available for all purchases, in which case the standard terms of the credit card will apply

9. Personal loans

Personal loans can be used for almost any purpose, including healthcare expenses, and funds are typically deposited directly into your account.⁸ Approval requirements, repayment terms and interest rates vary by lender, with the most favorable terms generally available to borrowers with strong credit.

• Best for: Paying multiple providers; combining bills into one payment; covering equipment or travel
• Pros: Flexible use; often fixed rate and term
• Cons: Best rates require strong credit

10. Insurance and gap financing for out-of-pocket costs

Some people with insurance coverage use financing to pay deductibles, coinsurance or other out-of-pocket costs. Financing can help bridge the gap between what insurance pays and what you still owe.⁹

• Best for: Medically necessary care with deductibles and coinsurance remaining
• Pros: Insurance reduces major costs; financing can cover the gap
• Cons: Coverage varies; elective wellness treatments may be excluded

11. Cash-pay discounts and negotiated pricing

If you have a lump sum available but not enough to cover the full cost of your health and wellness care, some providers may allow you to negotiate a lower total bill.

• Best for: People without insurance and those with high-deductible health plans; non-covered services
• Pros: May reduce your overall treatment cost without financing; no credit check
• Cons: Not always offered; requires a written estimate

12. Financial assistance and community health resources

People who are eligible can explore financial assistance programs that assist with health and wellness costs.

• Best for: Essential care and hardship situations
• Pros: Can significantly reduce costs
• Cons: Eligibility rules; often not for elective wellness services

CareCredit: A Health and Wellness Credit Card Option

CareCredit is a health and wellness credit card that can be used to pay for eligible expenses at participating providers.* It’s commonly offered for care categories such as dental, vision, dermatology, cosmetic and med spa services, hearing, veterinary and other out-of-pocket healthcare costs.

How CareCredit works

Applying for CareCredit is straightforward, and once approved, you can use your card for eligible purchases at participating providers. Here’s how the process works:

• Apply for a line of credit. CareCredit approval, as well as the size of the credit limit offered, depends on your credit profile. You can see if you prequalify in just six seconds with no impact on your credit score.
• Use your card for eligible care. Once approved, use your CareCredit credit card at participating providers for eligible health and wellness expenses, and continue using your available credit for future purchases as your needs arise.
• Repay the balance over time. The CareCredit credit care is a revolving line of credit that lets you make payments over time as you pay down your balance. Purchases may qualify for promotional financing, which offers reduced rates and may offer fixed monthly payments. (Always review the terms associated with your purchase.)

Advantages of CareCredit for patients

CareCredit is designed specifically for health and wellness expenses and is trusted by more than 12 million cardholders. Depending on your healthcare needs and where you receive care, you may find several features that make paying for care more convenient and manageable.

• It’s designed for health and wellness spending. Unlike a general-purpose credit card, the CareCredit credit card is intended for healthcare-related purchases at more than 290,000 participating provider and retail locations.
• Promotional financing may be available. Some purchases may qualify for special financing offers (for example, “no interest if paid in full within six months,” depending on terms).
• It’s a reusable credit line. Unlike a one-time loan, available credit can be used again for future eligible expenses if your account remains in good standing and credit is available.
• It’s quick and convenient to use. Once approved, you can pay for eligible treatment at checkout without delaying care while you arrange other financing.
• It helps make larger expenses more manageable. Spreading costs into monthly payments may reduce the impact of unexpected health and wellness expenses on your budget.

Who CareCredit is best for

CareCredit has broad appeal, with around 1 in 10 U.S. households having or having had the card to help cover health and wellness costs.

CareCredit may be a good fit for you if you:

• Are comfortable managing a revolving line of credit and, if offered promotional financing, are confident you can satisfy the terms of the offer.
• Want a reusable health and wellness credit line for ongoing needs (e.g., dental, vision, dermatology)
• Want customer support on your terms (e.g., 24/7 through phone, online, mobile app)

How to Choose the Best Option for Your Needs

When selecting a health and wellness financing option, this step-by-step guide can help you make an informed decision:

• Step 1: Get the total cost in writing. Ask for an itemized bill so you can see what’s included, what’s extra and what cancellation or refund rules apply.
• Step 2: Check what insurance, an HSA or an FSA can cover (if applicable). Confirm what expenses are considered qualified, especially for gray areas like certain types of elective wellness care.
• Step 3: Compare offers side by side. Look at the monthly payment, repayment terms, APR, total cost and any fees. If an offer includes promotional financing, carefully review how those terms work and what happens if the balance isn’t paid in full before the promotional period ends.
• Step 4: Pick a payment option that fits your budget (not just the lowest monthly payment). As term lengths get longer, the total cost may increase (if interest is accruing). Look for a solution that balances short-term relief with a long-term cost that is acceptable to you.

Flexible Financing Can Help You Move Forward With Care

Paying for health and wellness care doesn’t always have to mean paying the full cost up front. Understanding your financing options — and comparing repayment terms, eligibility requirements and total costs — can help you choose an approach that fits your budget and helps you move forward with confidence. Whether you’re planning routine care or facing an unexpected expense, the right financing solution can make investing in your health more manageable.

Frequently Asked Questions About Health and Wellness Financing

Do you still have questions about health and wellness financing options? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.

Managing Health and Wellness Costs With the CareCredit Credit Card

If you are looking for an option to help manage your health and wellness costs, consider financing with the CareCredit credit card.* Get the care you want or need with easy, flexible financing options that allow you to pay for out-of-pocket expenses over time. Use our Acceptance Locator to find a provider near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

Your CareCredit credit card can be used in so many ways within the CareCredit network including vision, dentistry, cosmetic, pet care, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases and spa treatments. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Dawn Papandrea is a journalist with more than two decades of experience covering personal finance and consumer issues. She has written for leading financial publications and organizations, including U.S. News & World Report, Investopedia, Bankrate and others.