How to pay your CareCredit bill

CareCredit is a credit card issued by Synchrony Bank that you use at medical, dental, and veterinary providers. To pay your bill, you log into your Synchrony account online or through the Synchrony mobile app, set up automatic payments, mail a check, or call Synchrony's customer service line. The payment address and phone number appear on your monthly statement.

You can pay the full balance, the minimum payment, or any amount in between. Payments are typically applied the same business day if you submit them before the cutoff time (usually 8 p.m. Eastern). If you mail a payment, allow 7 to 10 business days for it to reach Synchrony and post to your account.

CareCredit offers promotional financing periods — often 0% interest for 6, 12, or 24 months depending on the purchase amount and the provider's offer. If you do not pay off the full promotional balance by the end of the period, you will owe interest on the remaining balance at the standard purchase APR, which varies based on your creditworthiness.

Key Takeaways

  • You can pay online through your Synchrony account, by phone, by mail, or through automatic payments set up in advance.
  • Promotional 0% interest periods end on a specific date, and any unpaid balance after that date will accrue interest at the full purchase APR.
  • Minimum payments do not always cover the interest that will be charged after a promotional period ends, so paying more than the minimum protects you from surprise charges.
  • Late payments trigger a late fee and may cause you to lose your promotional interest rate, even if you have not missed a payment before.

Paying online or through the app

Log into your account at mysynchrony.com or open the Synchrony mobile app on your phone. From the account dashboard, select the CareCredit card and choose "Make a Payment." Enter the amount you want to pay and confirm your payment method — you can use a bank account (ACH transfer) or debit card.

Online payments usually post within one business day. The Synchrony app shows your current balance, available credit, due date, and promotional period end date all in one place, so you can see at a glance whether you are on track to pay off a promotional balance in time.

Setting up automatic payments

Automatic payments remove the risk of forgetting a due date. In your Synchrony account, go to "Manage Automatic Payments" and choose whether you want to pay the full balance, the minimum payment, or a fixed dollar amount each month. You can set the payment date to any day between the 1st and the 28th.

If you have a promotional 0% period, set your automatic payment high enough to cover the promotional balance divided by the number of months remaining. For example, if you owe $1,200 and have 12 months left, set the automatic payment to at least $100 per month to avoid interest charges after the promotion ends.

Paying by phone or mail

To pay by phone, call the number on the back of your CareCredit card or on your statement. A representative will ask for your account number and the amount you want to pay, then guide you through entering your bank account or debit card information. Phone payments post the same business day if you call before the cutoff time.

To pay by mail, write a check payable to Synchrony Bank and include your account number on the check. Mail it to the address shown on your statement under "Payment Address." Do not send cash. Allow 7 to 10 business days for the payment to arrive and post, so mail your payment well before your due date if you want to avoid a late fee.

What happens if you miss a payment

A payment is late if it arrives after your due date. Synchrony charges a late fee — the amount depends on your account terms but typically ranges from $25 to $40 for the first late payment. More importantly, a single late payment can cause you to lose your promotional 0% interest rate. The remaining promotional balance will then accrue interest at the full purchase APR.

If you miss a payment by 30 days or more, Synchrony reports the late payment to the credit bureaus, which damages your credit score. After 120 days of non-payment, Synchrony may close your account and refer the debt to a collection agency. If you cannot pay on time, contact Synchrony before your due date to discuss your options.

Understanding promotional period end dates

CareCredit promotional offers are tied to a specific purchase, not your entire card balance. If you make multiple purchases with different promotional periods, each one has its own end date. Your statement shows each promotional balance separately and tells you when each one expires.

Paying only the minimum each month may not be enough to clear a promotional balance before interest kicks in. For example, on a $1,200 purchase with 0% for 12 months, the minimum payment might be $25 per month — which totals only $300 after 12 months, leaving $900 to be charged interest. Calculate what you need to pay monthly to clear the balance in time, and set that as your automatic payment or reminder.

Disputing charges and getting a refund

If you were charged for a medical or dental service you did not receive, or if the provider charged you twice, contact Synchrony to dispute the charge. You can file a dispute online in your account or by calling the number on your statement. Synchrony will investigate and typically respond within 30 to 60 days.

If the provider issued you a refund, they send it directly to Synchrony, which then credits your CareCredit account. The credit appears as a payment and reduces your balance. If the refund is larger than your remaining balance, Synchrony may issue you a check for the overage or hold the credit for future purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my CareCredit bill with a credit card?

No. Synchrony does not accept credit card payments for CareCredit bills. You can pay with a bank account (ACH), debit card, check, or by phone. Paying a credit card with another credit card typically triggers a cash advance fee and higher interest rate anyway.

What if I pay more than my balance?

If you overpay, Synchrony holds the extra amount as a credit on your account. You can use it toward future purchases or request a refund check. The credit does not earn interest and does not expire, so you can leave it there until you need it.

Does paying early help my credit score?

Paying early does not hurt your credit score, but it does not help it either. Credit bureaus see only whether you paid on time, not whether you paid early. What matters for your score is making the minimum payment by the due date every month.

What happens to my promotional rate if I transfer the balance?

You cannot transfer a CareCredit balance to another card. CareCredit is a closed-loop card used only at participating medical, dental, and veterinary providers. If you want to move the balance elsewhere, you would need to pay it off with another form of credit, which ends the promotional period.

How do I know when my promotional period ends?

Your monthly statement lists each promotional balance with its end date. You can also log into your Synchrony account online or in the app to see the exact date. Set a phone reminder for one month before the end date so you have time to adjust your payment plan if needed.