CareCredit offers a variety of benefits for consumers. From special financing plans to covering prescriptions, it’s a great card to have in your wallet.
But is it accepted everywhere? Can you use CareCredit at Rite Aid? We looked into it and this is what we found…
Does Rite Aid Accept CareCredit?
You can use a CareCredit card at nearly all Rite Aid stores in the US, and your card will cover prescriptions, over the counter medicines, and personal care services and products.
This article takes look at CareCredit cards and how you can use them at Rite Aid, how they work and what to look out for.
What Is CareCredit?
CareCredit is a line of credit provided to consumers whose medical bills and expenses are not covered by insurance. The credit is provided by Synchrony, a financial services company headquartered in Connecticut, United States.
You can use a CareCredit card at health care and wellness providers, like Rite Aid, who have enrolled in the program, and care credit is one of a number of ways to cover your medical expenses immediately.
What is Rite Aid
Rite Aid, founded in 1962, is an American drug store chain which provides customers with everyday pharmacy services, support, and pharmacy products. They now have over 2500 stores across America.
Rite Aid believe in total health and wellness approach and they are continually investing in resources and research for ways to improve produces and services and to better meet customer needs.
What Does Rite Aid Sell?
Rite Aid have both online shopping and street stores. As well as medicine and health lines, Rite Aid also offer beauty products, vitamins and supplements, diet and fitness products, and personal care products.
It is important to remember that your CareCredit will not cover every purchase made at Rite Aid. The following things are not purchasable at Rite Aid with a CareCredit card:
- Gift vouchers
- Lottery tickets
- Alcohol (not purchasable anywhere with a CareCredit card)
- Tobacco (not purchasable anywhere with a CareCredit card)
When Did Rite Aid Start Accepting CareCredit?
Rite Aid and CareCredit partnered up in 2016 with a shared objective of making CareCredit more accessible and convenient to the CareCredit cardholder community.
The card was accepted immediately for all prescriptions and general merchandise purchases, health screenings and vaccinations, andfor all expenses incurred at RediClinics, which are located in certain Rite Aid stores.
The Acceptance Locator at CareCredit.com can be accessed online or via a mobile device to find where the card can be used.
What Are RediClinics?
RediClinics are retail based convenient care clinics located in (and owned by) Rite Aid stores. They are staffed by qualified nurses and physician assistants who diagnose and assist with common ailments and health concerns.
The Redi Clinics provide health screenings, immunizations, medical tests, and physical exams, and you can make appointments online.
You can use your CareCredit card at all RediClinic locations.
What Does My CareCredit Card Cover?
A CareCredit card covers a range of treatments and procedures not covered by insurance so that customers can purchase or pay for necessities immediately. Services covered include:
- Pet care
- Dentistry
- Cosmetic
- Dermatology
- Chiropractic
- Fitness
- Hearing
- Medical equipment and supplies
- Surgery and hospital treatment
- Pharmacy needs (Rite Aid)
- Weight loss
- Vision
- Sleep
- Health specialists
Where Can I Use My CareCredit Card?
First of all, you can’t just use a CareCredit card for any items. They are only eligible for approved healthcare purchases and costs, and you can only use one at providers who have registered with the scheme.
There are currently over 22500 providers across the country who are registered in the scheme.
Enrolled providers can include:
- Medical specialists, such as eye doctors, dentists, cosmetic surgeons, and dermatologists
- Hospitals, surgical centres, medical imaging services, laboratories
- Pharmacies and medical equipment suppliers (such as Rite Aid)
- Fitness and rehab equipment suppliers
- Spas centres
- Vets and pet care providers
You may not necessarily be covered for services from you preferred doctor or your local chemist. Always check first.
How Does The CareCredit Card Work?
The CareCredit card is a deferred interest rate, which means the interest on your purchase is put away for later. You won’t pay any interest on the card so long as you pay the balance within the offer period.
However, if you don’t or can’t manage to pay by the end of the specified time, and the offer period runs out with money still owed on the card, you’ll pay interest on the entire original amount that you borrowed, not just on what’s left (even if what’s left is just $2.00).
The interest on CareCredit cards is very high. Although the offer seems great at first, to be stung with a 26.00% annual percentage rate for your original debt some time down the track is a disheartening finale to your finance plan.
CareCredit cards also have a lower interest option for larger medical expenses, which qualify for a longer term loan. The interest rates depend on the amount you borrow and the loan term of the contract.
If you need to borrow $1000, for example, the following options are available:
- 14.9% APR for 24 months
- 15.9% APR for 36 months
- 16.9% APR for 48 months
Purchases of $2500 or more qualify for a 5 year loan at 17.9%. However, you may be able to match (or better) this with a personal loan.
Always investigate options before committing to any credit card plan because these are best suited to last resort circumstances.
How Soon Can I Use My CareCredit Card At Rite Aid?
You can use your CareCredit as soon as you’ve been approved. The application process involves an online application, an approval from the company, and the receipt of a credit card in the mail.
The online (or phone) application process is simple and quick, but to be approved, you’ll need a credit rating of around 600 points. Once approved, you’ll receive a CareCredit card in the mail, which takes around 14 days.
However, you don’t need to wait for your card to get started. CareCredit clients can use their card at Rite Aid (or any other approved provider) even before the physical card arrives in the mail.
Conclusion…
Working out which companies accept CareCredit cards and which ones don’t is perplexing, and working out exactly what CareCredit covers is even more confusing, especially when you’re also navigating your way through extensive and ongoing medical bills.