Healthcare costs are ramping up with each passing day making it difficult for individuals who even have insurance to afford all the medical expenses. Moreover, as per the report of the Journal of American Medical Association, roughly 7 million people have medical debts. This means that a huge number of Americans are in crisis due to medical debt. As unexpected medical expenses can cause financial strain here, we present the best U.S credit cards for medical expenses in 2024.
It is generally not recommended to pay medical bills through credit cards but if you don’t have money in the Health savings account (HSA) you can opt for these options. The list of the best credit cards for medical expenses in 2024 includes the top cards that offer rewards and other potential benefits for medical-related purchases. Without further delay let’s dive into the basic details of the cards.
Table of Contents
 Summary – Best U.S Credit Cards for Medical Expenses in 2024
- AARP®Essential Rewards Mastercard ®From Barclays – Best for greater rewards on medical expenses
- KrowFit Wellness Rewards MasterCard – Best for a long list of health, wellness, and medical expenses
- Wells Fargo Health Advantage Credit Card– Best for low fees and 0% financing on medical bills
- The Ness Card – Best for wellness-focused credit and perks
- Care Credit – Best for low-rate interest on medical billing
- Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa® – Best card that is great for paying all the medical debt
Charting the Best U.S Credit Cards for Medical Expenses in 2024
Best U.S Credit Cards for Medical Expenses | Annual Fee | Health Benefits |
AARP®Essential Rewards Mastercard® from Barclays | $0 | Greater rewards on medical expenses |
KrowFit Wellness Rewards MasterCard | $0 | Long list of health, wellness, and medical expenses |
Wells Fargo Health Advantage Credit Card | $0 | Low fees and 0% financing on medical bills |
The Ness Card | $349 | Wellness-focused credit and perks |
CareCredit | $0 | Low-rate interest on medical billing |
Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa® | $0 | Great for paying all medical debt |
What to look for in a credit card to fulfill healthcare expenses?
There are several credit cards options for dining and travel but only a few credit cards can work well for medical expenses. In crafting the list of best U.S. credit cards for medical expenses, we have analyzed the following key metrics for each credit card
Medical needs and purchases
To find the appropriate card, first think about your specific medical needs. If you are planning to go for a different medical procedure that is not covered by your health insurance, try reading the details of each of the best U.S credit cards for medical expenses. Always go for the one that tick marks all your general needs.
Introductory APR
It is good to keep a check on whether the credit card provider offers an introductory 0% APR or not. The amount of interest you pay in each billing cycle can pile up the cost so the best U.S credit cards for medical expenses offer a mediocre regular APR. It is important to note that APR is dependent on multiple factors and among them, the important one is credit score.
Credit Score
The greater your credit score, the more beneficial it is for you. With an excellent credit score, you can pay medical expenses at lower interest. The cards that are included in the list of best U.S credit cards for medical expenses require good to excellent credit scores to avail a range of benefits.
Cashback and Rewards
 Some of the best U.S credit cards for medical expenses offer great introductory offers as a reward for signing up. The rewards can also be in the form of 0% introductory APR on balance transfer and purchases for an extended period of time.  Furthermore the cash back can be in the form of additional miles or surplus bonus in some cases.
AARP®Essential Rewards Mastercard ®From Barclays
Welcome Bonus: $100 Cashback
Annual Fee: $0
Credit Score: Good to Excellent
Regular APR: 21.99%, 25.99 %,29.99% (Variable APR)
The AARP®Essential Rewards Mastercard ®From Barclays is the top option among the best credit cards for medical expenses only in case you have the cash to pay for the medical fees. With this card, the new cardholders get $100 bonus after they spend $500 in the first 90 days of account opening. AARP®Essential Rewards Mastercard ® can get you 3% cashback on drug store purchases, and gas stations, 2% cashback on all other eligible medical services, and 1% on all the other eligible purchases.
As per the instructions of Barclays, medical purchases are classified as those that are with Dentists, Optometrists, and Medical and Dental Laboratories to name a few. The card comes with no annual fee and offers 0% introductory APR on balance transfers followed by variable APR of 21.99%, 25.99 %, and 29.99%. Moreover, a 5% balance transfer fee is applicable in case you want to consolidate debt.
Best for
- Individuals with ongoing medical expenses
- People who are able to pay their credit card balance each month
- Consolidating medical and other kinds of debt
KrowFit Wellness Rewards MasterCard
Welcome Bonus: $100 Cashback
Annual Fee: $0
Credit Score: Good to Excellent
Regular APR: 21.99%, 25.99 %,29.99% (Variable APR)
KrowFit Wellness Rewards MasterCard has a long list of uncapped cash back categories that make it a must-have card in your wallet. Being the superior option in best credit cards for medical expenses you can make qualifying health, wellness and lifestyle purchases through this card. As Krowdfit is a wellness platform that helps you keep track of your steps, sleep, and meals. This card can potentially improve your wellness and financial fitness when you spend on yourself.
Through this card , you can earn uncapped 4% cashback on wellness, health , medical and lifestyle partners that include Walmart and Target.  The benefits of this card do not stop here as it also offers 2% cashback on grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases.  Being the top choice among the Best U.S credit cards for medical expenses, the rewards are issued instantly and you don’t have to wait for the end of each billing cycle.
Best for
- Individuals who are conscious about spending on themselves
- People who make various medical purchases
Wells Fargo Health Advantage Credit Card
Annual Fee: $0
Credit Score: Good to Excellent
Regular APR: 28.99% (Variable APR)
The Wells Fargo Health Advantage Credit Card is a distinct card in the list of best U.S credit cards for medical expenses. The card provides pet owners with an alternative route to pay for the wellness and care of their pets. With this card, you get access to a comprehensive range of financing options for medical expenses that include dental appointments, vision, and audiology. Customers can easily get this card through the official site of Wells Fargo with an easy application process.
This card offers special financing on various purchases of $1500 and more that are not covered by insurance including hearing aids. For new card variable APR of 28.99% Â is charged during the promotional period and otherwise, you have to pay a greater fee.
Best for
- Cover care for your families, friends, and pets
- Easy acceptance of cards at various hearing, veterinary, and vision offices
The Ness Card
Welcome Bonus: 50,000 points
Annual Fee: $349
Credit Score: Good
Regular APR: Not applicable
This is one of the Best U.S. credit cards for medical expenses for all those who can afford its hefty annual fees. The card is geared towards individuals who prioritize healthcare purchases irrespective to the price tag. Through Ness Card, you can earn greater reward points by making eligible healthcare and wellness purchases and also through physical activity. If you spend bucks on self-care including fitness clothing, food, gear, and more, this card perfectly suits you.
The good aspect of one of the best U.S. credit cards for medical expenses is you can earn 56 points per day through physical activity including exercise, sleep, and mindfulness activities. The mandatory condition is that you must connect to Apple Health to the Ness card application. Moreover, the card is in the public beta which means that it is available to anyone who qualifies. And to potentially qualify you should have a credit score of at least 680.
In brief, being on the list of the best U.S. credit cards for medical expenses it is charge card which means that you carry a balance from one month to the next. Therefore you pay the entire balance every month with no interest charges at all.
Best for
- Earning greater rewards for health care and wellness purchases
- Reward individuals for living a healthy life
Care CreditÂ
Welcome Bonus: Not Applicable
Annual Fee: $0
Credit Score: Good
Regular APR: 26.99 % after the promotional period ends
If you are looking for the best U.S credit cards for medical expenses that are handled within your doctor and dentist’s office, then check the CareCredit. This is a line of credit that is offered by medical professionals in case the customers need aid with medical billing. Once the request is approved by your dentist or doctor, this card lets you pay the medical expenses over time.
 As per your credit score, you are able to qualify for financing for 6- 24 months to pay your total medical bill interest-free. The financing period can be further increased to a duration of 24-60 months but a greatest interest fee is applicable. This is the greatest downside of the card as in order to stay safe from interest charges you have to pay the medical expenses in the introductory period. If you are the one that has lots of medical dues pending, we suggest that you go for other options in the list of best U.S credit cards for medical expenses.
In a nutshell, this credit card is a viable option for all those who want to consolidate a small amount of debt within a short duration of time.
Best for
- 0% interest promotional offers
- Individual who want to pay off medical debt quickly
- Zero-fraud liability for inhouse -financing
Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®
Welcome Bonus: $200
Annual Fee: $0
Credit Score: Good
Regular APR: 14.99%-29.99% (Variable APR)
This card comes with unlimited cash back on payments on 3% cashback on health categories, home, auto . This card being on the list of the best U.S. credit cards for medical expenses comes with the flexibility of credit card with the predictability of a personal loan. With the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa® you make no-touch payments with its contactless built-in technology .
As medical-related expenses can be a strain on the wallet, this card is great for large purchases with predictable payments you can budget for. Additionally, the card offers unique perks and if you end up carrying a balance on the card, you will be able to pay it down with a specific interest rate within the set repayment period. This can potentially lessen your financial strain and can help you pay the debt faster.
Best for
- Paying medical debt with no incurring charges in the introductory period
- Earn greater cashback of 3% on medical and dental laboratories, health practitioners and more
Best 0% APR Credit Cards of October 2023
If you are of the looking for cards to pay off medical debt , then you can keep a check on the cards offering 0% introductory period for an extended period of time. This way you can save huge sum of money with no interest charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which card is best for medical billing?
Although not on the list of the Best U.S Credit Cards for Medical Expenses in 2024, the American Express True Cashback card is the viable option to get unlimited cashback.
Which card among the best U.s credit cards for medical expenses is right for you?
The best credit card for medical expenses depends on your individual needs and spending habits. If you have a lot of medical expenses, you may want to consider a card that offers specific rewards for healthcare spending, such as the AARP®Essential Rewards Mastercard® from Barclays or the KrowFit Wellness Rewards MasterCard. But if you are looking for a card with a 0% introductory APR, the Wells Fargo Health Advantage Credit Card is a good option.