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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Credit card writer Danyal Ahmed is an avid traveler, averaging about 100,000 aeronautical miles per year. He regularly applies that knowledge and his expertise in credit cards to his role as a credit card writer at TPG.
July 21, 2025 • 9 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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Quick summary
Unexpected medical expenses can quickly deplete savings, even for those with insurance, making financing options important to consider.
Some financial products designed for medical costs may carry high interest rates, especially if balances are not paid in full during introductory periods.
General-purpose credit cards can help finance large medical bills while offering the potential to earn rewards and access introductory interest-free periods.
There are also specialized cards focused on health-related purchases, which may provide bonus rewards for eligible medical spending and tailored financing options.
What to consider
Introductory interest-free periods on many cards are temporary; unpaid balances after this period can incur high interest charges from the original transaction date.
Some cards specifically reward spending at medical providers, while others offer flat rewards on all purchases, but medical bills are rarely a dedicated bonus category.
Deferred interest financing may apply with certain health-focused cards, meaning interest is charged retroactively if the balance is not paid in full by the end of the promotional period.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of general-purpose versus health-focused cards, including which types of medical expenses qualify for bonus rewards and how to avoid costly interest.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Sudden expenses are never a good thing, especially for those who map out their finances. But sometimes they're unavoidable, such as large medical expenses. Even if you have health insurance, expenses can arise from emergency room visits, medical copays, and dental and veterinary bills, which can cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.
The burden could be enough to wipe out any emergency funds and savings accounts. One way to tackle these expenses is through financing with a medical account. However, the interest rates of some of those financial products can be quite high, even more so than credit cards.
Even if there's a short introductory interest-free period, balances not paid in full are subject to high interest rates starting from the initial date of the charge.
To offset sudden medical bills, consider credit cards as a lifeline that can help you finance large charges and even earn rewards at the same time. Let's take a look at some options.
Pay medical bills to earn a welcome bonus
When applying for a new credit card, the biggest motivator can be earning a sizable welcome offer. Whether it's points, miles or cash back, the rewards you could earn are tied to a minimum spending requirement within a set period from account opening.
Minimum spending requirements can range from $1,000 to $30,000. If you're able to pay off the debt immediately, consider putting a large medical bill on a new credit card to help you fully or partially meet the minimum spending requirement.
If you're looking to pay your medical bills with a credit card and earn some rewards, it's possible, but don't expect medical bills to be a bonus category on the majority of cards.
Instead, you want to focus on credit cards that offer a 0% introductory annual percentage rate with the possibility to earn cash back, points or miles for your purchases. This way, borrowers feel confident they can pay off their balance within the promotional period and even come out on top with some credit card rewards.
The ideal card would be an everyday spending card that offers higher earning rates on all other purchases outside of the card's bonus categories.
In November 2024, I had to pay for an emergency room visit at an out-of-network hospital and received a hefty bill. Luckily, I had a 0% interest offer (no longer available) on my Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® (see ), which allowed me to pay off the balance over nine months. I earned 1 AAdvantage mile per dollar spent on the transaction.
Let's check out a few great options for 0% introductory APR cards.
New cardholders receive a 0% APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening, then a variable APR of 16.74%-27.49%. New cardholders also receive a 0% APR for 21 months from account opening on balance transfers; after the promotional period, they are subject to a variable interest rate between 16.74% and 27.49%.
If you're looking to pay a huge medical bill or save on interest if you need to transfer an existing balance, this card can provide you with financial relief. Be sure to plan out your payments so your balance is paid off before the introductory rate ends.
As a new cardholder, you'll also receive a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After the introductory period, a variable APR of 18.49%-27.99% applies.
Keep in mind that applicants for Chase cards are subject to the 5/24 rule, meaning you won't be approved if you have opened five or more personal credit cards across all banks in the last 24 months.
Welcome offer: Earn a one-time cash bonus of $200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
THE POINTS GUY
Rewards on medical bills: Earn 1.5% back on all nonbonus category purchases.
Why it's a good choice: You'll earn 1.5% cash back on medical bills, which can later be redeemed as a statement credit or through PayPal and amazon.com. As a new cardholder, you also receive a 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. A 18.74%-28.74% variable APR applies after the promotional period (balance transfer fee applies).
Welcome offer: Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases within the first six months from account opening.
THE POINTS GUY
Rewards on medical bills: 2% cash back (1% back when you buy and 1% when you pay for the purchases)
Why it's a good choice: In addition to earning 2% cash back on all purchases, Citi Double Cash® Card (see ) cardholders receive a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for 18 months, and then a variable APR of 18.49%-28.74% applies after the promotional period ends.
If you're a cardholder of a Citi travel credit card, such as the Citi Strata Premier® Card (see ) you can combine the rewards earned on the Citi Double Cash with those on the Citi Strata Premier and then transfer those points to Citi's airline and hotel partners.
There are some credit cards specifically catered to health-related purchases. You may earn rewards; however, these cards' best perk is the ability to finance large medical expenses.
Welcome offer: Earn a $100 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases within 90 days from account opening.
THE POINTS GUY
Rewards on medical bills: 2% cash back on eligible medical expenses
Why it's a good choice: This is one of the few credit cards that earn bonus cash back on medical expenses. Eligible purchases include:
Dentists
Orthodontists
Osteopathic physicians
Chiropractors
Optometrists
Ophthalmologists
Opticians
Optical goods and eyeglasses
Chiropodists
Podiatrists
Hospitals
Medical and dental laboratories
Hearing aids
Ambulance services
Orthopedic goods
Prosthetic devices
Nursing and personal care facilities
Medical services and health practitioners
The card also comes with a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on balance transfers made within 45 days after account opening. Afterward, a variable APR of 20.99%-29.99% applies.
The information for the AARP Essential Rewards Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
CareCredit Rewards Mastercard
Annual fee: $0
Welcome offer: No welcome offer
THE POINTS GUY
Rewards on medical bills: Earn 2 points per dollar spent on in-network purchases through July 31.
Why it's a good choice: The CareCredit Mastercard can be used to pay for out-of-pocket expenses at more than 270,000 medical, dental and veterinary providers across the U.S. You can use the card at any provider who accepts CareCredit.
The card offers several finance options. Cardholders won't pay any interest if they select the option to pay their account in full between six months and 24 months. For those looking to finance for longer terms of up to 60 months, expect to pay up to 20.90% APR on purchases for the duration of the financing term. For financing less than $1,000, you can pay over 24 months and not accrue interest if paid in full at the end of the term. Financing $1,000 or more opens up the ability to finance for more than 24 months with a reduced APR.
Note that the CareCredit Mastercard's regular purchase APR is 32.99%. Like medical lines of credit, CareCredit uses deferred interest financing, meaning interest is charged on full loan amounts from initial transaction dates on balances that aren’t paid in full when a financing promotion expires.
The information for the CareCredit Rewards Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Bottom line
Medical expenses may be necessary at times, but they don't have to be a burden and drain your savings account. Take advantage of 0% APR credit card offers to finance unexpected bills, while also having the possibility of earning credit card rewards.
Before applying for a new card, be sure to check if any existing card in your wallet has a 0% APR offer on purchases or balance transfers. Alternatively, consider other products such as CareCredit or other loan products and see which repayment plans and interest rates fit your budget and finances.
