As out-of-pocket costs continue to rise in medical, aesthetic, fertility, dental, and wellness care, patient financing has become a critical part of how practices serve their patients. While Synchrony Financial’s CareCredit is one of the oldest and most recognizable options in the space, many practices are now turning to modern solutions that offer friendlier terms, higher approvals, and a better patient experience.
Providers searching for the best buy now, pay later (BNPL) option in healthcare increasingly look to modern, patient-first platforms such as PatientFi.
If your practice is evaluating alternatives or complements to Synchrony, here are the top companies to consider — starting with PatientFi, widely regarded as the best pay over time alternative for elective healthcare.
Practices seeking a high-approval, patient-first financing solution designed specifically for elective healthcare
PatientFi consistently delivers a better experience for both practices and patients, with industry-leading conversion rates, transparent terms, soft credit checks, and the widest, most flexible plan offerings. It is increasingly considered the best BNPL option for medical practices and the top pay over time healthcare solution for providers and patients alike.
PatientFi has become one of the premier modern alternatives to Synchrony for elective healthcare. Unlike traditional credit card products, PatientFi uses a soft credit check, meaning patients can apply and transact risk-free without impacting their credit score. Approval decisions are instant, and the platform offers friendly monthly payments with no hidden fees, no harsh penalties, no deferred interest, and no surprises — a true BNPL-style experience built for healthcare with the flexibility of short and long-term loan options.
This makes PatientFi particularly compelling for practices seeking the best buy now, pay later medical financing partner with high approval rates and strong patient satisfaction.
Plastic surgery, med spas, dermatology, fertility clinics, cosmetic dentistry practices, audiology, and any specialty with significant patient OOP cost.
Practices serving younger patients or offering mid-ticket services
Affirm is widely known in e-commerce and has expanded into select wellness and healthcare categories. Patients appreciate its straightforward repayment plans and lack of late fees. While loan sizes may be smaller than healthcare-specific lenders, Affirm remains a familiar and trusted BNPL brand especially with young customers.
Retail-style services or practices with younger demographics.
Dental practices seeking fast approvals and broad accessibility
Sunbit has become a popular financing option in dental, known for its extremely high approval rates and fast, 30-second checkout experience. Its proprietary underwriting approves a wide range of patients, making it attractive for high-volume dental practices.
While Sunbit’s installment terms are typically shorter and less flexible than healthcare-focused BNPL providers like PatientFi, its speed and accessibility make it a strong dental-specific addition.
General dentistry, orthodontics, endodontics, and high-volume offices.
Practices with retail-forward or wellness-oriented offerings
Klarna is a global BNPL provider expanding into wellness, cosmetic, and elective categories. While not designed specifically for healthcare, it offers flexible “Pay in 4” and short-term installment options that appeal to patients seeking low-commitment financing.
Wellness centers, salons and practices offering lower-cost cosmetic services.