CareCredit for Providers: Quick Start Guide
Learn about the CareCredit credit card, benefits of CareCredit for your practice and your patients and clients, how it works and more.
By Synchrony Health & Wellness
Jun 05, 2026 - 5 min read
Key Takeaways
- Introduce CareCredit early in the conversation so patients and clients understand that financing is an available payment option and can make informed decisions.
- Make applying fast and simple by offering an easy application path (e.g., digital/in-office options) so patients and clients can get a quick credit decision and proceed with care.
- Train staff and follow a simple transaction workflow to smoothly offer promotional financing, process payments and integrate CareCredit into everyday checkout.
For providers, patients and clients asking, “What Is CareCredit?” and “How does CareCredit work?” the answer is simple. The CareCredit credit card is different from other credit cards. It’s a health, wellness and personal care credit card patients or clients can use to finance the care they want and need without delaying appointments or treatment for themselves or their pets.* Plus, CareCredit can be used again and again to pay for family health and pet visits at 290,000+ provider and select retail locations.
With Promotional Financing* options like no interest if paid in full within 6, 12, 18 or 24 months on purchases of $200 or more, your patients and clients can feel empowered to make financial decisions with CareCredit.*
Benefits of CareCredit
CareCredit offers robust benefits for patients, clients and providers, including:
- Budget-friendly financing options with no annual fee or prepayment penalty
- Contactless applications and payments
- Custom training and support for you and your team
- Quick payment turnaround to help boost your cash flow and reduce your A/R
Did you know? Fifty-four percent of cardholders said they would postpone or decrease their procedure if CareCredit was not available.1 Let your patients know your accept CareCredit.
WATCH NOW: Learn how CareCredit works for providers in our informational video:
How Does CareCredit Work?
Step 1: Introductions are everything. Empower patients/clients to make informed financial decisions by discussing the benefits of the CareCredit credit card.
Step 2: Instant credit decisions can lead to instant gratification...and card usage. Once your patients or clients are interested in becoming CareCredit Cardholders, they can apply using your custom QR code, website link or by phone and receive a credit decision immediately.**
Step 3: Time is money. If approved, patients and clients can use CareCredit immediately to pay for treatment, deductibles, copays and coinsurance, as well as other costs not covered by standard insurance.
Step 4: Benefits for them = benefits for you. Encourage your CareCredit Cardholders to take advantage of Promotional Financing*** on purchases of $200 or more.
Step 5: Cha-ching! Your office gets paid within two business days of CareCredit processing. The best part? You don’t have to wait on the patient or worry about delayed or defaulted payments.† CareCredit dispenses payment quickly and easily.
Step 6: Use CareCredit, get care, repeat. Cardholders can use CareCredit to pay for repeat visits without reapplying — empowering them to make healthy and consistent decisions that may impact their long-term wellness.**
How to Apply: Custom QR Code
An easy way for patients or clients to apply for CareCredit is by scanning your custom QR code. Whether you add it to your bulletin board or patient statements, or display it proudly at your front desk, it’s as simple as scan and apply.
- Download and print your QR code.
- Order (a) free stand(s) in which to insert the printout.
- Display on counters, as well as waiting and consultation rooms.
Application decisions only take a few seconds. You can review application decisions in Provider Center, and help them with next steps.
WATCH NOW: See how it works:
How to Apply: Custom Link
A custom link is an easy digital way to share information about CareCredit and allows patients and clients to apply and pay you when it’s most convenient for them — 24/7.
Share your custom link through:
- Your website
- Emails
- Online statements
- Financial policy, and more
Empower your patients and clients today to take control of their financial goals with the CareCredit credit card. Copy, paste and share your custom link whenever you can!
Learn More: Get your custom link today.
How to Process a Transaction
With CareCredit, processing a transaction is as simple as 1, 2, 3. Follow these steps to run a transaction through the CareCredit Provider Center:
- Log in to Provider Center.
- Click on “Transactions” in the top navigation bar.
- Select “Process Transaction.”
CareCredit Resources
Whether you need a reminder on how to present the CareCredit credit card or simply need to order more supplies, our top four essential resources help you access what you need, whenever you need it.
- Operating Guide. See how to perform CareCredit tasks, including processing an application. Download Now.
- Conversation Guide. Learn how to bring up CareCredit in conversation effortlessly. View Now.
- Employee Training. Access useful information to help new employees get up to speed. Access Now.
- Order Materials. Order CareCredit materials free of charge. Order Now.
We’re Here to Help
We know that any new endeavor can come with questions. That’s why the CareCredit support team is here for you. If you have a question, comment or concern, simply contact us to get the help you need now.
- Call: (800) 859-9975 (option 1, then 6)
- General information
- Provider resources
CareCredit FAQs
-
Why do I need to accept CareCredit if I already accept general purpose credit cards?
CareCredit is not a typical credit card. It’s dedicated for health and wellness with patients and clients in mind—family and pets included! For purchases of $200 or more, cardholders can take advantage of special financing options and pay over time.*
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How do my patients or clients apply for a CareCredit credit card?
CareCredit offers several consumer application options referenced in the “How to Apply” sections above. At your patient’s or client’s request, you can also initiate applications on their behalf via Provider Center.^ No matter how they decide to apply, the credit decision is instant! If approved, you can process charges to the cardholder’s account immediately.
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Isn’t patient financing only for expenses exceeding $1,000?
No. CareCredit can be used for purchases of any amount, with special financing options available on purchases of $200 or more.
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How does my office get paid?
CareCredit pays your office within two business days via an electronic deposit into the preferred bank account on record, less a processing fee.
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What if my patients or clients don’t pay their CareCredit bills?
Regardless of whether a cardholder defaults, you receive payment within just two business days. CareCredit is a non-recourse program, so if cardholders delay payment or default, it’s not your responsibility.† The financial relationship is between CareCredit and the cardholder.
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What if their CareCredit credit card won’t go through on the terminal?
All CareCredit credit card transactions can be processed through Provider Center, using the transact section without the need to swipe a card. Patients or clients can also pay your invoices online using your custom link or QR code.
CareCredit at a Glance: The Ultimate Provider Cheat Sheet
What is CareCredit?
CareCredit is a health and wellness credit card that helps patients and clients get the care they want and need without delaying appointments or treatment due to cost. It can be used to pay for care for individuals, families and even family pets.
The benefits of healthcare financing
CareCredit gives patients or clients a convenient way to pay over time for treatment, deductibles, copays and coinsurance, as well as other costs not covered by insurance.
How CareCredit works
Patients can apply in office or at home 24 hours a day. If patients apply and are approved, they can use their CareCredit credit card immediately and take advantage of Promotional Financing* on purchases of $200 or more.
Presenting CareCredit
Now more than ever, patients or clients may be looking for financing to help pay for the care they want or need.
Make it personal — in the best way. Patients and clients want to know how certain benefits help them directly. When discussing the card with them, highlight the benefits of the card.
So, don’t forget to mention it to everyone, using the resources provided in Provider Center covering the many benefits of CareCredit for everyone.
Addressing hesitations
If your patient or client has concerns about applying for the CareCredit credit card, refer to the Conversation Guide to help facilitate your conversations.
Submitting applications
Patients or clients can apply using several options covered in this guide under the “How to Apply” sections.
Handling declines
Declines are never fun for anyone involved. Keep it light and professional.
If a patient or client is declined, ensure you treat the situation with discretion and respect and discuss other ways they can make the purchase, such as applying with a joint applicant.
Ready to help more patients and clients get the care they want and need?
Get StartedReady to help more patients and clients get the care they want and need?
Get Started*Subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payments required.
***Must be 21+ to apply; must be 18+ to apply by phone.
***Subject to credit approval.
†Subject to the representations and warranties in your Agreement with Synchrony.
^ Except for providers in California who are prohibited under state law from submitting applications on behalf of patients for certain healthcare loans or lines of credit, including the CareCredit credit card.
Source:
1 CareCredit Cardholder Satisfaction Tracker, August 2025.
This content is subject to change without notice and offered for informational use only. You are urged to consult with your individual business, financial, legal, tax and/or other advisors and/or medical providers with respect to any information presented. Synchrony and any of its affiliates, including CareCredit, (collectively, “Synchrony”) makes no representations or warranties regarding this content and accept no liability for any loss or harm arising from the use of the information provided. Your receipt of this material constitutes your acceptance of these terms and conditions.
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