 TITLE: What Is a Medical Credit Card? CONTENT: How Medical Credit Cards Affect Your Credit\n-------------------------------------------\nBefore you apply for a medical credit card and put your balance on it, take a moment to understand how medical debt affects your credit. Medical debt doesn't appear on your credit report like other types of debt do. That is, unless, you become significantly past due on your medical debt payment and your account is transferred to a debt collector. Once you put medical expenses on a medical credit card, however, it's likely to become regular credit card debt, at least from the perspective of your credit report.\nAlso, different cards impact your credit differently. Some card programs say they accept all patients, regardless of credit, and never report to credit bureaus. Others operate more like regular credit cards: They require a credit application and credit check. Once approved, your credit line becomes part of your available revolving credit and any charges you make on your card count toward your credit utilization ratio. On-time payments, as well as late payments and defaults are reported, just as they would be on any other credit card accounts.\nIn every case, it's important to understand the following: What does the credit application process require? How will your credit score and report affect your offer? How will information about your account be reported to credit bureaus? END