Comparing health care credit options

Credit issuer (type)

Treatment covered

Terms, restrictions

Interest rate

Credit limit, fees

CareCredit from GE Money
(credit card)

Dental, vision, cosmetic, hearing, veterinary from approved provider list

3 to 18 months with 3 percent minimum payment each month or fixed rate installment loan for up to 60 months; only accepted by GE Money medical providers

Zero percent if paid in full at end of term or 11.9 percent for fixed rate installment plan

Credit limit: $4,000 average

Late fee: $15 to $39

ChaseHealthAdvance
(installment loan)

Dental, orthodontic, vision, cosmetic, hair restoration from approved provider list

Three, 6, 12, 18 or 24 months; fixed rate installment loans for patients with good and excellent credit

Zero percent to 11.99 percent

Credit limit: $5,000 to $20,000

Citi Health Card
(credit card)

Dental, vision, hearing, veterinary from approved provider list

Three different plans: Zero interest for 3 to 18 months; Budget plan for 48 months at 12.96 percent; Regular revolving credit at 21.98 percent variable interest; only accepted by Citi medical providers

Zero percent to 21.98 percent, depending on plan

Default APR: 25.98 percent

Credit limit: varies by account

Late fee: $29 to $35

HumanaAdvance Visa Card
(credit card)

Any health-related products or services

Zero interest; balances repaid within 6 months from payroll deductions. Must sign up through employer

Zero percent

Credit limit: $500 to $5,000 depending on salary

Annual fee: $96 paid by employer and/or employee

Prepaid Healthcare Card
(debit card)

Approved health-related products and services

Available through employers’ Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs)

Allows employers to give employees tax-free reimbursements of qualified health expenses

Load amounts from $25 to $5,000 Fees: $4.95 per card, plus $2.95 to reload and $12.95 to replace lost or stolen cards

Wells Fargo Visa 
(debit card)

Anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted

Available only to employees enrolled in high-deductible health insurance plans using health savings accounts (HSAs)

Employees use their own money or contributions from employers; HSA earns tax-deferred interest

Credit limit: Based on account balance

Maintenance fee: $4.25/month for individual accounts