{"id":182053,"date":"2025-07-21T18:00:14","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T18:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/21\/best-credit-cards-for-paying-your-medical-bills-the-points-guy\/"},"modified":"2025-07-21T18:00:14","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T18:00:14","slug":"best-credit-cards-for-paying-your-medical-bills-the-points-guy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/21\/best-credit-cards-for-paying-your-medical-bills-the-points-guy\/","title":{"rendered":"Best credit cards for paying your medical bills – The Points Guy"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Sudden expenses are never a good thing, especially for those who map out their finances. But sometimes they’re unavoidable, such as large medical expenses. Even if you have health insurance, expenses can arise from emergency room visits, medical copays, and dental and veterinary bills, which can cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.<\/p>\n

The burden could be enough to wipe out any emergency funds and savings accounts. One way to tackle these expenses is through financing with a medical account. However, the interest rates of some of those financial products can be quite high, even more so than credit cards<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Even if there’s a short introductory interest-free period, balances not paid in full are subject to high interest rates starting from the initial date of the charge.<\/p>\n

To offset sudden medical bills, consider credit cards as a lifeline that can help you finance large charges and even earn rewards at the same time. Let’s take a look at some options.<\/p>\n

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Pay medical bills to earn a welcome bonus<\/h2>\n

When applying for a new credit card, the biggest motivator can be earning a sizable welcome offer. Whether it’s points, miles or cash back, the rewards you could earn are tied to a minimum spending requirement within a set period from account opening.<\/p>\n

Minimum spending requirements<\/a> can range from $1,000 to $30,000. If you’re able to pay off the debt immediately, consider putting a large medical bill on a new credit card to help you fully or partially meet the minimum spending requirement.<\/p>\n

Related: Best credit card welcome offers this month<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Consider a 0% introductory APR card<\/h2>\n

If you’re looking to pay your medical bills with a credit card and earn some rewards, it’s possible, but don’t expect medical bills to be a bonus category on the majority of cards.<\/p>\n

Instead, you want to focus on credit cards that offer a 0% introductory annual percentage rate<\/a> with the possibility to earn cash back, points or miles for your purchases. This way, borrowers feel confident they can pay off their balance within the promotional period and even come out on top with some credit card rewards.<\/p>\n

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The ideal card would be an everyday spending card<\/a> that offers higher earning rates on all other purchases outside of the card’s bonus categories.<\/p>\n

In November 2024, I had to pay for an emergency room visit at an out-of-network hospital and received a hefty bill. Luckily, I had a 0% interest offer on my Citi\u00ae \/ AAdvantage\u00ae Platinum Select\u00ae World Elite Mastercard\u00ae<\/a> (see rates and fees<\/a>), which allowed me to pay off the balance over nine months. I earned 1 AAdvantage mile per dollar spent on the transaction.<\/p>\n

Let’s check out a few great options for 0% introductory APR cards.<\/p>\n

Citi Diamond Preferred Card<\/h3>\n

Annual fee: <\/strong>No annual fee<\/p>\n

Welcome offer: <\/strong>No welcome offer<\/p>\n

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Rewards on medical bills: <\/strong>No rewards<\/p>\n

Why it’s a good choice: <\/strong>The main perk of the Citi\u00ae Diamond Preferred\u00ae Card<\/a> (see rates and fees<\/a>) is the introductory APR.<\/p>\n

New cardholders receive a 0% APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening, then a variable APR of 17.24%-27.99%. New cardholders also receive a 0% APR for 21 months from account opening on balance transfers; after the promotional period, they are subject to a variable interest rate between 17.24% and 27.99%.<\/p>\n

If you’re looking to pay a huge medical bill or save on interest if you need to transfer an existing balance, this card can provide you with financial relief. Be sure to plan out your payments so your balance is paid off before the introductory rate ends.<\/p>\n

To learn more, read our full review of the Citi Diamond Preferred<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Apply here: Citi Diamond Preferred Card<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Chase Freedom Unlimited<\/h3>\n

Annual fee:<\/strong> $0<\/p>\n

Welcome offer: <\/strong>New cardholders can earn $200 cash back after spending $500 within three months from account opening.<\/p>\n

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\"Chase<\/div>
THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rewards on medical bills:<\/strong> Earn 1.5% back on all nonbonus category purchases.<\/p>\n

Why it’s a good choice:<\/strong> The Chase Freedom Unlimited\u00ae<\/a> (see rates and fees<\/a>) will let you earn 1.5% cash back on your medical bills, easing the sting a little bit.<\/p>\n

If you also hold a premium Chase card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred\u00ae Card<\/a> (see rates and fees<\/a>), you can combine your rewards<\/a> and transfer them<\/a> to Chase’s 11 airline and three hotel partners for great redemption options.<\/p>\n

As a new cardholder, you’ll also receive a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After the introductory period, a variable APR of 18.99%-28.49% applies.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind that applicants for Chase cards are subject to the 5\/24 rule<\/a>, meaning you won’t be approved if you have opened five or more personal credit cards across all banks in the last 24 months.<\/p>\n

To learn more, read our full review of the Freedom Unlimited<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Apply here: Chase Freedom Unlimited<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card<\/h3>\n

Annual fee:<\/strong> No annual fee<\/p>\n

Welcome offer: <\/strong>Earn a one-time cash bonus of $200 after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening.<\/p>\n

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THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rewards on medical bills:<\/strong> Earn 1.5% back on all nonbonus category purchases.<\/p>\n

Why it’s a good choice: <\/strong>You’ll earn 1.5% cash back on medical bills, which can later be redeemed as a statement credit or through PayPal and amazon.com. As a new cardholder, you also receive a 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. A 19.24%-29.24% variable APR applies after the promotional period.<\/p>\n

To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Learn more: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Citi Double Cash Card<\/h3>\n

Annual fee: <\/strong>No annual fee<\/p>\n

Welcome offer<\/strong>: Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases within the first six months from account opening.<\/p>\n

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\"Citi<\/div>
THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rewards on medical bills: <\/strong>2% cash back (1% back when you buy and 1% when you pay for the purchases)<\/p>\n

Why it’s a good choice: <\/strong>In addition to earning 2% cash back on all purchases, Citi Double Cash\u00ae Card<\/a> (see rates and fees<\/a>) cardholders receive a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for 18 months, and then a variable APR of 18.24%-28.24% applies after the promotional period ends.<\/p>\n

If you’re a cardholder of a Citi travel credit card, such as the Citi Strata Premier\u00ae Card<\/a> (see rates and fees<\/a>) you can combine the rewards<\/a> earned on the Citi Double Cash with those on the Citi Strata Premier and then transfer those points to Citi’s airline and hotel partners.<\/p>\n

To learn more, read our full review of the Citi Double Cash<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Apply here: Citi Double Cash Card<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Health-related cards<\/h2>\n

There are some credit cards specifically catered to health-related purchases. You may earn rewards; however, these cards’ best perk is the ability to finance large medical expenses.<\/p>\n

Related: Use these cards to maximize large purchases<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

AARP Essential Rewards Mastercard from Barclays<\/h3>\n

Annual fee:<\/strong> $0<\/p>\n

Welcome offer:<\/strong> Earn a $100 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases within 90 days from account opening.<\/p>\n

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\"AARP<\/div>
THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rewards on medical bills: <\/strong>2% cash back on eligible medical expenses<\/p>\n

Why it’s a good choice: <\/strong>This is one of the few credit cards that earn bonus cash back on medical expenses. Eligible purchases include:<\/p>\n