G.E. Care Credit - Never Applied for Credit. How Could I When I Wasn't There?

Posted by trmn8r on 2012-07-17:

Here are some details about what GE CareCredit *is*:

"CareCredit is a healthcare credit card that can be used as a payment option for certain expenses not covered by insurance or to bridge situations when desired care exceeds insurance coverage."

The terms are as follows:
"CareCredit offers two basic payment options to meet an individual’s financial needs:

■No Interest if paid in full within the promotional period* on qualifying purchases made with your CareCredit credit card account. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date if the promotional purchase is not paid in full within the promotional period. Not all promotional plans are available at all Participating Professionals. Minimum Monthly Payments Required and may pay off purchase before end of promotional period. Each month you only need to pay the required minimum monthly payment and pay off the remaining balance within the promotional period to avoid interest and pay only the amount financed. Future minimum payments will vary based on amount and timing of payments, interest rate and other charges added to the account.
■14.90% APR and Fixed Monthly Payments Required Until Paid in Full** on qualifying purchases made with your CareCredit credit card account. Not all promotional plans are available at all Participating Professionals. Fixed monthly payment amount based on repayment over 24, 36, 48 or 60 month period. Purchases of $1000 or more are eligible for a 24, 36 or 48 month offer and purchases of $2500 or more are eligible for a 60 month offer."

OK, so one can understand how the bill can blossom if not paid. One can also understand your son fit the profile of a potential client of CareCredit given the bill exceeded insurance coverage. The real question is how you were signed up for this program in the first place. The people who would know would likely be those in the dentist's office. Did your wife sign any form that stated how charges that were not covered by insurance would be handled?

Have you contacted the dental office for an explanation? What was their response?

Posted by trmn8r on 2012-07-17:

As implied in my reply above, the root of this issue to me lies at the dental office. I assume the dentist offers CareCredit on behalf of the issuer. When I received that packet, I would have immediately called the dentist. At this point I don't know what to do since it is in collections.

Posted by JISCal2 on 2012-07-18:

Ten years ago, my dentist office signed me up/ran my credit for this Care Credit program as well and I was NOT happy! We hadn't discussed payment. I simply agreed to the charge and the work began. When I was ready to leave they only wanted to sign me out and send me on my way. I asked about paying and their only reply was oh... you didn't want the Care Credit program? I didn't even know what the heck it was. I paid with my debit card and then called Care Credit and told them I had not authorized running my credit, did not authorize opening the account, no payments to the dentist should be made and the account was to be closed immediately.

I think the dentist office must get some kind of a kick-back from the credit company.

Posted by jonthethird on 2012-07-18:

The dentist is not in the business of extending credit and Care Credit is the solution. Care Credit buys the debt (at a discount) which means the dentists cash flow is maintained.

The fault is the dentist in not making clear the relationship