Top Credit Cards to Maximize Your Medical Expenses in 2025!
Even with top-notch health insurance, medical bills can hit your wallet hard. If you find yourself strapped for cash and can’t use a health savings account, it might be tempting to whip out that credit card. After all, who wouldn’t want to snag some rewards or a shiny welcome bonus? But before you swipe, think twice—carrying a balance can lead to high-interest charges that can send your finances spiraling.
In case you’re considering using a credit card for your medical expenses, we’ve got the lowdown on the best options to help you navigate this tricky terrain. (For the nitty-gritty on how we curated this list, check out our methodology.)
Top Credit Cards for Medical Expenses
Best for 0% APR
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
Securely access through Wells Fargo’s site
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Rewards
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Welcome Bonus
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Annual Fee
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Intro APR
Enjoy a 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers.
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Regular APR
Variable APR ranging from 17.24% to 28.99%.
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Balance Transfer Fee
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Foreign Transaction Fee
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Credit Needed
Pros
- Exceptional intro-APR for purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee
- Cell phone insurance included
Cons
- No rewards program available
- No welcome bonus
- High balance transfer fee
Best for Drugstores
Pros
- Lucrative welcome bonus with high cash-back rates
- Long intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee
Cons
- Foreign transaction fee applies
- Limited ongoing benefits
Highlights
- Earn an extra 1.5% cash back on all purchases for the first year (up to $20,000 spent)—that’s up to $300 cash back!
- 6.5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases; 3% on all other purchases.
- No minimum redemption for cash back.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months, then a variable APR of 19.74% – 28.49%.
- No annual fee—enjoy all these perks without added costs.
- Monitor your credit health with Chase Credit Journey.
Best for Walgreens
Bilt Mastercard®
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Rewards
Earn 1x points on rent payments, 3x on dining, 2x on travel, and 1x on other purchases.
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Welcome Bonus
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Annual Fee
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Intro APR
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Regular APR
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Balance Transfer Fee
Up to 5% per transfer, minimum of $5.
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Foreign Transaction Fee
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Credit Needed
Pros
- No annual fee
- Solid rewards across a broad range of categories
- Ability to pay rent without extra fees
- Transfer points to popular travel programs
Cons
- Limited acceptance compared to other cards
- Requires five transactions each billing cycle to earn points
Best for Cash Back
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Access securely through Wells Fargo’s site
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Rewards
Unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases.
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Welcome Bonus
Get a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months.
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Annual Fee
$0
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Intro APR
0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers.
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Regular APR
19.24% to 29.24% variable APR.
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Balance Transfer Fee
Introductory fee of 3%, then up to 5% after.
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Foreign Transaction Fee
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Credit Needed
Pros
- High flat-rate cash back on all purchases
- Introductory APR for a year
- No annual fee
- Includes cell phone insurance
Cons
- Foreign transaction fees apply
- Limited redemption options without pairing with another Wells Fargo card
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is exceptional for those who want the ease of flat-rate rewards on all purchases without annual fees.
Best for Medical Expenses
The AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® from Barclays
Information provided independently—issuer not involved in the creation of this content.
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Rewards
3% cash back on gas and drugstore purchases, 2% on eligible medical expenses, 1% on all other purchases.
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Welcome Bonus
Earn a $200 cash-back bonus after spending $1,000 within the first 90 days.
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Annual Fee
$0
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Intro APR
0% for the first 15 billing cycles for balance transfers made within 45 days of opening.
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Regular APR
21.24% to 29.99% variable.
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Balance Transfer Fee
Introductory fee of $5 or 5%, whichever is greater.
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Foreign Transaction Fee
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Credit Needed
Pros
- Long intro APR for balance transfers
- No annual fee
- High cash back for gas, drugstore, and medical expenses
Cons
- Foreign transaction fee applies
- Intro APR does not cover purchases
More on Our Top Credit Cards for Medical Expenses
Best Credit Cards for Medical Expenses Comparison
| Credit Card | Best for | Rewards | Welcome Bonus | Intro APR | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wells Fargo Reflect® Card | 0% APR | None | None | Yes | $0 |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | Drugstores | Yes | Yes | Yes | $0 |
| Bilt Mastercard® | Walgreens | Yes | None | No | $0 |
| Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card | Cash Back | Yes | Yes | Yes | $0 |
| AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® from Barclays | Medical Expenses | Yes | Yes | Yes | $0 |
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
Best for 0% APR
Rewards: None
Welcome Bonus: None
Annual Fee: $0
Notable Perks: The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card includes protections like roadside dispatch, rental car collision coverage, and cell phone protection that can reimburse you up to $600 against damage or theft.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Best for Drugstores
Rewards:
- 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠
- 3% cash back at drugstores
- 3% cash back on dining (including takeout)
- 1.5% on all other purchases.
Welcome Bonus: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (up to $20,000 in the first year).
Annual Fee: $0
Notable Perks: With the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, enjoy three free months of DoorDash DashPass, which reduces delivery fees. Plus, the card boasts various insurance benefits, including purchase protection and rental car coverage.
Bilt Mastercard®
Best for Walgreens
Rewards:
- 1X points on rent payments without transaction fees (up to 100,000 points annually)
- 3X points on dining
- 2X points on travel
- 1X point on all other purchases.
Welcome Bonus: None
Annual Fee: $0
Notable Perks: The rewards you earn can be redeemed for travel or towards a home down payment, with access to top travel partners.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Best for Cash Back
Rewards: 2% cash back on all purchases.
Welcome Bonus: $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in the first three months.
Annual Fee: $0
Notable Perks: The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card provides cell phone insurance, travel assistance, and rental car insurance, all with no annual fee.
AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® from Barclays
Best for Medical Expenses
Rewards:
- 3% cash back at drugstores (excluding Walmart/Target)
- 3% cash back on gas
- 2% on medical expenses
- 1% on all other purchases.
Welcome Bonus: $200 cash back when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days.
Annual Fee: $0
Notable Perks: Use your rewards for AARP memberships or support the AARP Foundation with your purchases.
Pros and Cons of Credit Cards for Medical Expenses
Pros
- No-interest offers: Many credit cards feature 0% intro APR periods, which can ease the burden of medical bills.
- Rewards: Earning rewards can provide a small rebate on necessary expenses.
Cons
- High APRs: Credit cards typically have higher rates compared to other unsecured debts.
- Credit impact: Increasing your credit card balances can negatively affect your credit score.
FAQs
Can I put medical expenses on a credit card?
Yes, you can use a credit card for medical expenses, but be cautious of the potential for high-interest charges if not paid in full.
Are medical credit cards a good idea?
Usually, medical credit cards should be avoided unless absolutely necessary due to their high rates and deferred interest.
Does my FSA cover medical expenses on a credit card?
If eligible, yes! Just keep your receipt for reimbursement.
Why Trust Us?
Our commitment at CNBC Select is to deliver top-notch service journalism and thorough consumer advice, helping you make savvy financial decisions. Our credit card articles are crafted through rigorous research by experts with extensive knowledge in the field. While we may earn a commission from partners, our editorial team ensures all content remains independent and impartial. For details on our selection process, refer to our methodology.
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Our Methodology
To find the best credit cards for medical expenses, we evaluated over 250 major credit cards issued by FDIC-insured banks in the U.S. We compared features such as rewards, fees, APR, and additional perks, including cardholder protections and redemption options. Our analysis considers where consumers typically spend, ensuring the recommendations are relevant and beneficial.
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