CareCredit Deferred Interest, Explained

What CareCredit Is

CareCredit is a health and wellness credit card issued by Synchrony Bank. It's accepted at hundreds of thousands of providers — dentists, optometrists, veterinarians, dermatologists, audiologists, and many elective-procedure clinics. Its main draw is promotional financing: "No Interest if Paid in Full within 6, 12, 18, or 24 months" on qualifying purchases. That phrase is the heart of both its appeal and its risk.

How the Promotional Plans Work

CareCredit's deferred-interest promotions come in standard lengths tied to the purchase amount — commonly 6 months on smaller purchases and 12, 18, or 24 months on larger ones. During that window:

• Interest accrues monthly on your balance at the standard purchase APR — 26.99% for most accounts as of 2026.
• That accrued interest is tracked separately and held in reserve. Your statement shows only your purchase balance minus payments.
• If you reach $0 by the deadline, all the reserved interest is permanently waived.
• If any balance remains, the entire reserve of accrued interest is added to your account in a single charge.

CareCredit also offers genuine fixed-payment, reduced-APR plans on some longer-term purchases (24, 36, 48, or 60 months). Those are installment loans with real interest spread across equal payments — not deferred interest. Always confirm which type of plan your purchase used.

A Real Example

You finance a $3,000 dental crown on a 12-month CareCredit promotion at 26.99% APR and set autopay for the minimum.

To clear the $3,000 in 12 months you needed to pay about $250/month — not the $75 minimum. The minimum payment is engineered to keep the account current, not to beat the deadline.

How to Use CareCredit Safely

1. Find your exact promotion length and deadline. It's on your statement and in your online account. Write the date down.
2. Calculate the required payment: balance ÷ months in the promotion. Pay that, not the minimum. Our calculator does this instantly.
3. Set autopay for the required amount so a busy month can't blow the deadline.
4. Build in a buffer. Aim to hit $0 a full month early. Payments posting late or new small charges have ended promotions for people who thought they were safe.
5. If you're going to fall short, consider a true 0% APR balance-transfer card before the deadline — a 3–5% transfer fee is usually far cheaper than the deferred-interest penalty on a large balance.

Related: CareCredit Calculator · What Happens If You Miss the Deadline · Deferred Interest vs. 0% APR