Kait ScirriCareCredit approval largely depends on your existing credit, though there is no exact minimum score for qualification. Your approval odds will be higher if you have low balances on existing accounts, no unpaid or delinquent accounts, and a solid payment history. Your odds of being approved for CareCredit will decrease if you have outstanding balances on existing credit cards, a history of late payments, or several recent credit inquiries.
CareCredit Approval Factors
We contacted the CareCredit and Synchrony Bank customer service departments; representatives from neither department would disclose a minimum approval score. However, previous applicants reported being approved with scores around 620. Your credit history is important as representatives confirmed that they do review the credit history of each applicant, which includes conducting a hard credit check.
Before you apply for CareCredit, it’s a good idea to review your credit report and credit score. You can view your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus for free every 12 months at AnnualCreditReport.com. The following elements may hurt your credit and decrease your odds of CareCredit approval:
- Outstanding balances on existing credit cards
- Unpaid or delinquent accounts
- Several recent credit inquiries
A good credit report that may help increase your odds of getting approved will reflect things like low balances on existing accounts and a history of on-time payments.
Options for Applying With Bad Credit
If you find yourself questioning whether or not CareCredit will approve you, you do have the option of applying with a joint applicant. A joint applicant should be someone who has a strong credit report to help offset any of the negative things that may appear on yours. For example, if you’ve missed a few credit card payments in the past, a joint applicant with a solid payment history on his or her own credit report may help increase your odds of approval.
If you and your joint applicant receive approval, both of your names will appear on the CareCredit account. You will each receive a credit card and be able to place charges on the card. You will also both be responsible for making payments, including any late fees or interest. If the joint account goes delinquent, the delinquency will reflect on both of your credit reports. You should only apply for a joint account with someone who has a demonstrated history of timely payments and who you trust not to abuse the credit card.
About CareCredit and How to Apply
CareCredit is a credit card issued by Synchrony Bank that is specifically intended for out-of-pocket medical expenses for you, your family, and your pets. CareCredit is accepted at over 200,000 providers, such as medical and dental offices, 1-800-Contacts, select retail stores like Walmart, and veterinary facilities.
You can apply for CareCredit by phone at (800) 677-0718 or through the online application. You must be at least 18 years old to apply for CareCredit online and at least 21 years old to apply by phone. If you choose to apply by phone, you will also need to download a written copy of the credit card agreement from its website.
You might also be interested in our comparison of CareCredit, Alphaeon Credit, and United Medical Credit.
Maria R. Riegger, Esq.
Loren Eaton
Lindsey Desmet
Caitlin Troutt
Jennifer Kostuch
Kathrina Bognot
Erika Crawford
Cathy Desmet
William Lipovsky
Joseph Cho
