Can you get a loan to pay for a surgery?

Asked by: Angelita Homenick  |  Last update: July 23, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (54 votes)

Yes! You can get a loan to help pay for a surgery. The loan will typically be an unsecured personal loan that you pay back in monthly installments. Some lenders may specify that the loan be used for medical expenses only while others describe medical expenses as one possible use for the funds.

Can you get a loan for a surgery?

A medical loan is a kind of personal loan that you can use for medical expenses. They are also commonly known as healthcare loans, surgery loans, or copay loans. Typically available through banks and online platforms, medical loans are often unsecured loans, meaning you aren't required to back them up with collateral.

What happens if you get surgery but can't afford it?

Contact the hospital's billing office and ask who administrates its financial assistance programs. Be open about your struggle to afford the procedure and see what options might be available to you. Even if the hospital can't help, it may be able to refer you to a local nonprofit that can.

Can you make payments for surgery?

Financing Options: Many hospitals and clinics offer financing options, such as payment plans, to help you cover the cost of surgery over time. You can also consider taking out a personal loan or using a credit card to pay for the surgery.

How do I get money for surgery?

How to Pay For Surgery Costs That Insurance Won't Pay
  1. Review Costs.
  2. Talk to Billing.
  3. Lower Fees.
  4. Ask Questions.
  5. Borrow From Retirement.
  6. Use Your Savings.
  7. Use Home Equity.
  8. Take Out Unsecured Loans.

Paying for Plastic Surgery

21 related questions found

How much does surgery cost without insurance?

The average hospital stay is 4.6 days, at an average cost of $13,262. If surgery is involved, hospital costs soar through the roof. Some of the most common surgeries have price tags that top $100,000. Those are alarming figures, especially for families with limited budgets or no insurance.

What do you do when patients cannot pay?

9 ways to help patients when they can't afford care
  1. Have the money conversation.
  2. Get creative with your scheduling.
  3. Offer a payment plan.
  4. Create a sliding fee scale.
  5. Accept what they can offer.
  6. See them pro bono.
  7. Refer them or help them find assistance.
  8. Barter.

Do some surgeons offer payment plans?

Your plastic surgeon may offer in-house financing, whether in the form of a payment plan or a loan brokered through a lender. A payment plan could be a good way to pay over time, potentially with little to no interest.

Will hospitals do payment plans?

Yes, many U.S. hospitals now offer flexible payment plans to help patients who can't cover their bills upfront. These plans typically spread the cost over several months, often interest-free, which can be very effective for managing healthcare expenses without the financial strain.

Does surgery have to be paid upfront?

In other situations, including a pre-scheduled surgery, the hospital or other providers can ask for at least some payment upfront. But in most cases, a health plan's network contract with the hospital or other medical provider will allow them to request upfront payment of deductibles, but not to require it.

How to get help to pay for surgery?

Charity care - If you still need help with medical bills after health insurance or Medicaid payments have been applied, a charity care program may assist you with the remaining costs. In most cases, you can apply for charity care through a doctor or hospital where you are seeking medical treatment.

What surgeries are not covered by insurance?

Cosmetic procedures such as plastic surgery or vein removal are nearly always considered elective and so are not covered. Fertility treatments are only covered in certain states, and even then, there are loopholes that allow insurers to deny coverage.

What happens if you get surgery and can't pay?

You can take steps to make sure that the medical bill is correctly calculated and that you get any available financial or necessary legal help. If you do nothing and don't pay, you could be facing late fees and interest, debt collection, lawsuits, garnishments, and lower credit scores.

What credit score do you need to finance surgery?

– What You Need: Generally, a credit score of 660 or above is considered “good” and can help you qualify for more favorable financing options. However, there are options available for a wide range of scores.

What is an alternative to CareCredit?

Credee is one of the best alternatives to CareCredit and all other medical credit cards for bad credit. It is an automated payment plan platform that allows medical practices to provide their services to patients with easy payment plans. Patients don't need a credit card or a loan for medical treatments.

Do hospitals make you pay right away?

Some hospitals require you to pay what you owe when you are discharged. They know about what your insurance will pay and how much you owe. Most hospitals will wait a month and send you a bill. If you haven't got the money they will set up a payment plan for you to pay monthly.

What is the lowest payment you can make on a medical bill?

But there is no law for a minimum monthly payment on medical bills. If that were true, hardly anyone would need to file bankruptcy for medical debts. The truth is that the medical provider can sue or turn you over to collections if they are not satisfied with the amount that you are sending in.

How to negotiate a payment plan with a hospital?

How to negotiate and pay medical bills
  1. Review your bill for accuracy. ...
  2. Ask to lower the bill. ...
  3. Look for outside assistance. ...
  4. Request a medical bill payment plan. ...
  5. Work with a patient advocate. ...
  6. Consider a medical credit card. ...
  7. Settle with debt collectors. ...
  8. Think carefully before taking out a personal loan.

How do you get surgery when you can't afford it?

4 Helpful Ways to Get Surgery Assistance
  1. Payment plans. If you need help paying for surgery without insurance. ...
  2. Temporary disability. ...
  3. Government programs that help pay for surgery. ...
  4. Turn to online fundraising for medical expenses.

Can you set up a payment plan for surgery?

Elective or Semi-Elective Procedures

Health care providers typically don't offer these upfront payment plans, however. Instead, you may need to apply for financing through a third-party provider, such as CareCredit. These payment plans generally aren't interest-free, but they're often cheaper than using a credit card.

Do you pay for surgery before or after?

For years, hospitals sent out an invoice after a patient undergoes treatment. Now, patients are likely to hear from the hospital that they have to pay before the procedure even starts. Melanie Evans: It costs them time and money to collect after the fact. So if they can get it upfront, they will.

What if I need surgery but can't afford my deductible?

Be open about your struggle to afford the procedure and see what options might be available to you. Even if the hospital can't help, it may be able to refer you to a local nonprofit that can. Negotiate medical bills after the surgery. Most billing offices are willing to set up payment arrangements with patients.

What happens if you don't pay medical bills under $500?

Waiting to pay can be beneficial

That means if the card becomes delinquent, even debts under $500 can appear on your credit report and hurt your score. Despite the potential consequences of ignoring a medical debt, there are some advantages to letting the bill go unpaid.

How to get a grant for medical bills?

Check into grants and financial assistance programs through hospitals or organizations such as the Patient Access Network Foundation, HealthWell Foundation, or Samaritan Health Services. Medical care often includes medications, and luckily there are several ways to save on prescriptions.