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Medical debt remains an aching problem in the U.S. In fact, it's the most common cause of personal bankruptcy. If you're having trouble paying medical expenses, a medical loan may be the answer. If the idea of taking on new debt to rid yourself of old debt strikes you as picking your poison, that's natural. Here, we'll break down how a medical loan can help you get out from under the pressure of collection calls. We'll also outline when a medical loan is a good idea and when it's a bad idea.
Lending Partner | Min. Credit Score | Loan Amounts | Apr Range | Next Steps |
---|---|---|---|---|
LightStream
Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars.
4.0/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Min. Credit Score: 660 | Loan Amounts: $5,000 - $100,000 | APR Range: 9.49% – 25.49% (w/ AutoPay)* | |
2024 Award Winner
SoFi Personal Loans
Rating image, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
5.0/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Min. Credit Score: 680 | Loan Amounts: $5,000 - $100,000 | APR Range: Fixed: 8.99%-29.99% APR (with all discounts) | |
Discover Personal Loan
Rating image, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
5.0/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Min. Credit Score: 660 | Loan Amounts: $2,500 - $40,000 | APR Range: 7.99% - 24.99% |
Check Rates for Discover Personal Loan
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2024 Award Winner
Upstart
Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars.
4.0/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Min. Credit Score: None | Loan Amounts: $1,000 - $50,000 | APR Range: 7.80% - 35.99% |
Rates quoted are with AutoPay. Your loan terms are not guaranteed and may vary based on loan purpose, length of loan, loan amount, credit history and payment method (AutoPay or Invoice). AutoPay discount is only available when selected prior to loan funding. Rates without AutoPay are 0.50% points higher. To obtain a loan, you must complete an application on LightStream.com which may affect your credit score. You may be required to verify income, identity and other stated application information. Payment example: Monthly payments for a $10,000 loan at 8.49% APR with a term of 5 years would result in 60 monthly payments of $205.12. Some additional conditions and limitations apply. Advertised rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Truist Bank is an Equal Housing Lender. © 2024 Truist Financial Corporation. Truist, LightStream, and the LightStream logo are service marks of Truist Financial Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Lending services provided by Truist Bank.
*Upstart Loan Disclaimer
The full range of available rates varies by state. The average 3-year loan offered across all lenders using the Upstart platform will have an APR of 21.97% and 36 monthly payments of $35 per $1,000 borrowed. For example, the total cost of a $10,000 loan would be $12,646 including a $626 origination fee. APR is calculated based on 3-year rates offered in the last 1 month. There is no down payment and no prepayment penalty. Your APR will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application.
*SoFi Personal Loan Disclaimer
Fixed rates from 8.99% APR to 29.99% APR reflect the 0.25% autopay interest rate discount and a 0.25% direct deposit interest rate discount. SoFi rate ranges are current as of 02/06/2024 and are subject to change without notice. The average of SoFi Personal Loans funded in 2022 was around $30K. Not all applicants qualify for the lowest rate. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. Your actual rate will be within the range of rates listed and will depend on the term you select, evaluation of your creditworthiness, income, and a variety of other factors.
Loan amounts range from $5,000–$100,000. The APR is the cost of credit as a yearly rate and reflects both your interest rate and an origination fee of 0%-7%, which will be deducted from any loan proceeds you receive.
Autopay: The SoFi 0.25% autopay interest rate reduction requires you to agree to make monthly principal and interest payments by an automatic monthly deduction from a savings or checking account. The benefit will discontinue and be lost for periods in which you do not pay by automatic deduction from a savings or checking account. Autopay is not required to receive a loan from SoFi.
Direct Deposit Discount: To be eligible to potentially receive an additional (0.25%) interest rate reduction for setting up direct deposit with a SoFi Checking and Savings account offered by SoFi Bank, N.A. or eligible cash management account offered by SoFi Securities, LLC (“Direct Deposit Account”), you must have an open Direct Deposit Account within 30 days of the funding of your Loan. Once eligible, you will receive this discount during periods in which you have enabled payroll direct deposits of at least $1,000/month to a Direct Deposit Account in accordance with SoFi’s reasonable procedures and requirements to be determined at SoFi’s sole discretion. This discount will be lost during periods in which SoFi determines you have turned off direct deposits to your Direct Deposit Account. You are not required to enroll in direct deposits to receive a Loan.
Impact to credit score: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.
LightStream was chosen as a best medical loan lender for several reasons. The first is that LightStream rates tend to be lower than its competitors, no matter what's going on with the Federal Reserve and the prime rate. LightStream also offers high loan limits, charges no fees, and provides a longer loan term (up to 12 years on larger loans). In addition, LightStream prioritizes customer satisfaction and is ranked very highly in independent surveys.
SoFi makes our best medical loans shortlist because of the potential to borrow a fixed amount with no fees required. SoFi members also get access to valuable perks like financial planning.
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Powered by Credible
We chose Discover as a best medical loans lender because it's a lender we've come to trust. Qualified applicants can score a great interest rate on a loan up to $40,000. If you're approved for a debt consolidation loan, Discover will pay your creditors for you. Repayment terms are up to seven years, which can help make the payments affordable.
No cosigners accepted
Upstart was selected as a best medical loans lender because highly qualified applicants can get a very low interest rate, and most loan funds in one business day. We also like that the minimum loan amount is just $1,000, which means you don't need to borrow more than you truly need.
A medical loan is a personal loan that you choose to use to cover medical expenses. The same personal loan used for debt consolidation or to remodel a kitchen can be used to cover medical costs. Medical loans can (usually) pay for anything, from medical treatment to equipment financing. They are typically unsecured loans, meaning no collateral is required to secure the loan. You receive the loan as a lump sum and pay it off in monthly installments.
People with the best credit scores qualify for the best loan terms. But even if you have an average or poor credit score, there are medical and surgery loans available. Borrowers with excellent credit scores are offered the lowest interest rates. If your credit score is lower, you may pay more in interest. Nevertheless, if a loan allows you to pay off medical bills and you can afford the monthly payment, these loans are worth considering.
One thing to keep in mind if your credit score is currently low: Making each loan payment in full and on time each month is an excellent way to raise your score.
Since each borrower has a different set of needs, there is no one-size-fits-all medical loan. Still, there are characteristics that all good loans share.
The best medical loans have:
Medical loans are a good idea when:
Medical loans are a bad idea when:
Taking out a personal loan to pay medical expenses may be the right move for some. However, there are alternatives, including the following options.
Many Americans who can't pay their out-of-pocket expenses sign up for a medical credit card instead. Most of these cards offer 0% or a very low interest rate for a promotional period. Medical credit cards can be useful if you pay them off before the promotional rate expires. Be aware that some medical credit cards offer deferred interest, which is different from a 0% introductory APR period. If the interest is deferred and you do not pay off the debt before the end of the promotional period, you may be required to pay interest going back to the date of your original charge.
There are few deals better than a 0% introductory APR. If your credit score is strong enough, apply for a credit card with a 0% intro APR offer, use it to pay off medical debt, and repay the balance before the promotional rate expires. When the promotional period is over, your credit card interest reverts back to its "regular" rate. Promotional rates normally last from 12 to 18 months.
It is no secret to medical providers that their patients frequently have trouble paying bills. Medical care is expensive, and insurance is often lacking. Fortunately, you should be able to negotiate a medical bill. Call the billing office that sent you the bill and explain your situation. Ask them if they can reduce the total due. Also, find out if they have a forgiveness program. At the very least, come up with an amount you can afford to pay toward the bill each month and let them know that you would like to enter into a repayment plan. Once they agree, keep up your end of the bargain by making each monthly payment as promised.
A medical loan is right for you if you need help paying off medical debt and can find terms that work with your budget. If so, medical loans offer a way to pay off medical debt, control how much that debt costs each month, and know when it will be paid off.
It's tough to find anything positive about medical bills or the need to take out medical loans. Still, it is good to know that you have options to finance medical expenses.
Lending Partner | Min. Credit Score | Loan Amounts | APR Range | Best For |
---|---|---|---|---|
LightStream | 660 | $5,000 - $100,000 | 9.49% – 25.49% (w/ AutoPay)* | Borrowers with good credit |
SoFi Personal Loans | 680 | $5,000 - $100,000 | Fixed: 8.99%-29.99% APR (with all discounts) | Low APR for borrowers with high income |
Discover Personal Loan | 660 | $2,500 - $40,000 | 7.99% - 24.99% | Debt consolidation |
Upstart | None | $1,000 - $50,000 | 7.80% - 35.99% | Reducing high interest debt |
A medical loan only makes sense once you've exhausted other avenues (like negotiating your medical bills with providers) to pay for medical care. Once you've done all you can do, only consider a medical loan if you have enough income to cover the monthly payment.
How much you'll pay for a loan depends primarily on your credit score. The higher the risk you present to lenders, the more they charge in interest and other fees.
If you make your monthly payments in full and on time, a loan can improve your credit score. If the loan pushes your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio too high, or you miss payments or default on the loan, your credit score can drop. Lenders prefer a DTI ratio lower than 36%. To calculate your DTI, add up your fixed monthly bills (like rent, mortgage, car payment, credit cards, and personal loan). Divide that number by your gross monthly income. For example, if your monthly bills amount to $2,500 and you earn $7,500 each month, your DTI is 33% ($2,500 ÷ $7,500 = 0.3333, or 33%).
Our Loans Experts
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
Rates quoted are with AutoPay. Your loan terms are not guaranteed and may vary based on loan purpose, length of loan, loan amount, credit history and payment method (AutoPay or Invoice). AutoPay discount is only available when selected prior to loan funding. Rates without AutoPay are 0.50% points higher. To obtain a loan, you must complete an application on LightStream.com which may affect your credit score. You may be required to verify income, identity and other stated application information. Payment example: Monthly payments for a $10,000 loan at 8.49% APR with a term of 5 years would result in 60 monthly payments of $205.12. Some additional conditions and limitations apply. Advertised rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Truist Bank is an Equal Housing Lender. © 2024 Truist Financial Corporation. Truist, LightStream, and the LightStream logo are service marks of Truist Financial Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Lending services provided by Truist Bank.
*Upstart Loan Disclaimer
The full range of available rates varies by state. The average 3-year loan offered across all lenders using the Upstart platform will have an APR of 21.97% and 36 monthly payments of $35 per $1,000 borrowed. For example, the total cost of a $10,000 loan would be $12,646 including a $626 origination fee. APR is calculated based on 3-year rates offered in the last 1 month. There is no down payment and no prepayment penalty. Your APR will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application.
*SoFi Personal Loan Disclaimer
Fixed rates from 8.99% APR to 29.99% APR reflect the 0.25% autopay interest rate discount and a 0.25% direct deposit interest rate discount. SoFi rate ranges are current as of 02/06/2024 and are subject to change without notice. The average of SoFi Personal Loans funded in 2022 was around $30K. Not all applicants qualify for the lowest rate. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. Your actual rate will be within the range of rates listed and will depend on the term you select, evaluation of your creditworthiness, income, and a variety of other factors.
Loan amounts range from $5,000–$100,000. The APR is the cost of credit as a yearly rate and reflects both your interest rate and an origination fee of 0%-7%, which will be deducted from any loan proceeds you receive.
Autopay: The SoFi 0.25% autopay interest rate reduction requires you to agree to make monthly principal and interest payments by an automatic monthly deduction from a savings or checking account. The benefit will discontinue and be lost for periods in which you do not pay by automatic deduction from a savings or checking account. Autopay is not required to receive a loan from SoFi.
Direct Deposit Discount: To be eligible to potentially receive an additional (0.25%) interest rate reduction for setting up direct deposit with a SoFi Checking and Savings account offered by SoFi Bank, N.A. or eligible cash management account offered by SoFi Securities, LLC (“Direct Deposit Account”), you must have an open Direct Deposit Account within 30 days of the funding of your Loan. Once eligible, you will receive this discount during periods in which you have enabled payroll direct deposits of at least $1,000/month to a Direct Deposit Account in accordance with SoFi’s reasonable procedures and requirements to be determined at SoFi’s sole discretion. This discount will be lost during periods in which SoFi determines you have turned off direct deposits to your Direct Deposit Account. You are not required to enroll in direct deposits to receive a Loan.
Impact to credit score: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.