CareCredit bills go to Synchrony Bank, and you can pay them online, by phone, or by mail
CareCredit is a credit card issued by Synchrony Bank. When you use it to pay for medical, dental, or veterinary care, your bill comes from Synchrony. You can make payments through Synchrony's website, by calling their customer service line, by setting up automatic payments, or by mailing a check. The method you choose affects how quickly the payment posts and whether you can set it and forget it.
Synchrony does not charge a fee to pay your bill, regardless of which method you use. However, if you pay late — after your due date — Synchrony will report the late payment to credit bureaus and may charge a late fee. The amount of the late fee depends on your cardholder agreement, but it is typically between $25 and $39 for the first late payment.
Key Takeaways
- You can pay your CareCredit bill online through Synchrony's website or mobile app without a fee, and the payment usually posts the same day.
- Automatic payments set up through Synchrony will deduct money from your bank account on a date you choose each month, reducing the risk of missing a due date.
- Paying by phone takes about five minutes and requires your account number and bank details, but you should confirm the payment posted before assuming it went through.
- Mailed checks take seven to ten business days to arrive and post, so send them at least two weeks before your due date to avoid a late payment.
- If you miss a payment, Synchrony charges a late fee and reports it to credit bureaus, which can lower your credit score and affect future borrowing.
Paying online through Synchrony's website or app
Log in to your CareCredit account at synchronybank.com or through the Synchrony mobile app. Click "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now" and enter the amount you want to pay. You can pay your full balance, the minimum payment, or any amount in between. Synchrony will ask you to confirm the payment method — either a bank account (for an electronic transfer) or a debit card.
Online payments typically post the same business day if you submit them before 8 p.m. Eastern Time on a weekday. If you pay on a weekend or holiday, the payment posts on the next business day. You will receive a confirmation number immediately after submitting the payment; save this in case you need to dispute the transaction later.
The Synchrony app also shows your current balance, due date, interest rate, and recent transactions. You can set up a one-time payment or schedule recurring payments directly from the app.
Setting up automatic payments to avoid missed due dates
Automatic payments deduct money from your bank account on a date you choose each month. To set this up, log into your Synchrony account, go to "Manage Auto Pay," and select the amount and date. You can choose to pay the full balance, the minimum payment, or a fixed dollar amount. Synchrony will send you a confirmation email after you set it up.
Automatic payments remove the risk of forgetting a due date, but they only work if your bank account has enough money on the scheduled date. If the account is empty, the payment will fail, and Synchrony will charge a late fee. Check your account balance a few days before the scheduled payment to make sure the funds are there.
You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime through your Synchrony account. If you cancel, you will need to make manual payments going forward.
Paying by phone with Synchrony customer service
Call Synchrony's customer service number on the back of your CareCredit card. A representative will ask for your account number, the amount you want to pay, and your bank account or debit card information. The call usually takes five to ten minutes. You will receive a confirmation number at the end of the call.
Phone payments post within one business day. However, you should not assume the payment went through just because you received a confirmation number — log into your account the next day to verify that the balance decreased. If the payment did not post, call back immediately to report it.
Synchrony's customer service is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Hours may vary on holidays.
Mailing a check or money order
Write a check or money order payable to Synchrony Bank. Include your account number on the check. Mail it to the address listed on your CareCredit statement or on the back of your card. Do not send cash through the mail.
Mailed payments take seven to ten business days to arrive and post. To avoid a late payment, mail your check at least two weeks before your due date. If you are close to the due date, use online or phone payment instead.
Keep a copy of the check or a photo of the front and back for your records. If Synchrony claims they never received it, you will have proof that you sent it.
What happens if you miss a payment
If your payment does not arrive by the due date, Synchrony will charge a late fee (typically $25 to $39 for the first late payment) and report the late payment to the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. A late payment stays on your credit report for seven years and can lower your credit score by 100 points or more, depending on your current score.
If you are more than 30 days late, Synchrony may increase your interest rate to the penalty rate listed in your cardholder agreement. This rate is often 29.99% or higher. You will also start accruing interest on any unpaid balance at this higher rate.
If you miss a payment, contact Synchrony as soon as possible. Some customers have been able to negotiate with Synchrony to remove a late fee if they have a good payment history and the late payment was a one-time mistake. There is no may provide this will work, but it is worth asking.
Understanding CareCredit interest and promotional periods
CareCredit often offers promotional periods with zero percent interest if you pay off the balance within a set timeframe — commonly 6, 12, 18, or 24 months depending on the purchase amount. During this period, you only owe the principal amount you charged. Once the promotional period ends, any remaining balance accrues interest at your regular rate, which can be 27.99% or higher.
To keep a promotional rate, you must make at least the minimum payment each month. If you miss a payment or pay late, Synchrony may end the promotional period immediately and charge you interest retroactively on the entire original balance, even if you have paid most of it off. This can result in a bill that is hundreds of dollars higher than expected.
Check your CareCredit statement each month to see when your promotional period ends. Set a reminder to pay off the balance before that date, or make sure you can afford the higher interest rate afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my CareCredit bill with a credit card?
No. Synchrony does not allow you to pay your CareCredit bill with another credit card. You can only pay with a bank account (electronic transfer), debit card, check, or money order. Paying with a debit card is treated the same as paying with a bank account — no fee, and the payment posts within one business day.
What if I want to pay more than the minimum?
You can pay any amount up to your full balance. Paying more than the minimum reduces the amount of interest you owe and helps you pay off the card faster. If you are in a promotional zero-percent period, paying extra helps you avoid interest charges after the period ends.
Does Synchrony accept partial payments?
Yes. You can pay any amount between the minimum payment and your full balance. However, if you pay less than the minimum, Synchrony will report it as a missed payment and charge a late fee.
How do I know if my payment posted?
Log into your Synchrony account and check your balance and recent transactions. You can also call customer service to confirm. Do not rely on a confirmation number alone — always verify that the balance decreased.
What if I need to dispute a payment?
Contact Synchrony within 60 days of the payment if you believe it was processed incorrectly or charged twice. Have your confirmation number and bank statement ready. Synchrony will investigate and either reverse the charge or explain why it was correct.