Concerns About CareCredit for Dental Expenses
Dental treatments can add up, both for people and their pets, leading many to seek out flexible payment options like credit cards. It’s a common scenario as folks try to manage these unexpected expenses.
At a recent Wink Listens event in Collier County, Wink News Anchor Corey Lazar spoke with Chris Overcache, who had a cautionary tale regarding CareCredit cards.
Two years ago, Overcache opted to get dentures, aiming to enhance her smile. Rather than paying upfront, she applied for a CareCredit card at her dentist’s office.
“I went for it because they told me about a promotion,” Overcache recalled. “I had two years to pay it off, right there at the dentist’s.”
Though she made timely payments, 2024 brought some unexpected health complications.
“I found out I needed a triple bypass,” she shared. “Just four months later, I collapsed and broke my hips; I was hospitalized for three weeks.”
These health setbacks made her forget the promotional period for her credit card payments.
“They call it promotion, flashy words,” Overcache commented. “And they entice you with two years to pay.”
Overcache admitted she didn’t fully review her paper statements, leading to an unpaid balance. On August 1, CareCredit hit her account with $9,500 in deferred interest.
“Before that, they reduced my credit limit from $17,000 to $12,000,” she explained. “Their reasoning was that I had too many open accounts.”
This change pushed her over her credit limit.
“Now I’m in a tough spot; they loaded on $9,500 and I exceeded my limit by nearly $9,000,” Overcache said. “By lowering my credit limit, they’ve really put me in a bind.”
Wink News reached out to CareCredit on her behalf for clarification.
A spokesperson for CareCredit explained, “We offer consumers access to a variety of health and wellness services. This includes dental care and pet expenses among others. Our goal is to provide options for financing while ensuring consumers understand their agreements.”
The spokesperson also highlighted that their website states, “If a promotional purchase isn’t repaid in full during the promotional period, interest will be charged from the date of purchase.”
Overcache feels her experience highlights the necessity of carefully reading the statements associated with CareCredit.
“I really want people to be aware of these so-called promotions,” she stated. “They can end up costing you dearly. I’m still trying to resolve this.”
After the contact from Wink News, a CareCredit representative reached out to Overcache, and they are currently working towards a resolution.
