 TITLE: What Is a Medical Credit Card? CONTENT: Pros and Cons of Medical Credit Cards\n-------------------------------------\nAre medical credit cards a good deal? Here's a quick breakdown of the pros and cons:\n**The Pros**\n*   Quick access to available credit if your current credit options won't cover your medical bills.\n*   Zero-interest financing, if you can pay off your balance within the introductory period.\n*   Medical debt is isolated to a specific account, making it easier for you to track your medical expenses and pay off your bills in a targeted manner.\n**The Cons**\n*   It might be difficult to pay off your balance by the time a deferred-interest period ends. When this happens, you may be charged interest retroactively for the deferral period. Late payment penalties can also be high—and a late payment may cause your introductory period to end early.\n*   You may be worse off with a medical credit card than a general-purpose credit card. If you're eligible, you can find traditional credit cards with perks including:\n    *   An introductory 0% rate that doesn't charge retroactive interest if you have a remaining balance when the period ends.\n    *   A lower overall interest rate.\n    *   Rewards or cash back.\n    *   Greater versatility.\n*   You may be tempted to apply for and accept this financing without reading the fine print because it's recommended by your provider. There's nothing inherently wrong with medical credit cards but, as with any credit, you should weigh all the facts and make a careful decision. END