Medical Emergency Loans
| Best loan type | Personal / installment loan |
|---|---|
| Amounts via our network | $100–$5,000, by state and lender |
| Sample payment | $1,500 over 12 months at 36% APR: about $150.69/month |
| Credit | All credit types considered |
| Funding | Often next business day |
| Cost to use our form | Free, no obligation |
Focus on your health. We'll help with the bill
A health scare is stressful enough without worrying about how to pay for it. Whether it's an ER visit, a dental emergency, a deductible, a prescription or a procedure your insurance won't fully cover, a medical loan lets you handle the cost now and pay it back in predictable monthly payments.
If you're facing a true emergency, get care first and sort out payment afterward. Hospitals with emergency departments that participate in Medicare must screen and stabilize patients regardless of ability to pay, and the bill can be handled afterward. When you're ready to deal with the cost, our free form takes about 3 minutes. See if you qualify — it takes about 3 minutes.
What a medical loan can cover
- Emergency room and urgent care bills
- Hospital stays and surgery deductibles or coinsurance
- Dental emergencies, crowns, root canals and implants
- Prescriptions, medical equipment and hearing aids
- Vision care and procedures
- Veterinary emergencies for your pets
- Travel and lodging for treatment away from home
- Physical therapy, mental health care and follow-up visits
Personal loans can generally be used for any legal purpose, so you can pay one provider or several. Many people also use a single loan to combine several medical bills, from the hospital, the lab and the specialist, into one predictable monthly payment instead of juggling multiple due dates.
Which loan fits a medical bill
A personal installment loan is the usual choice. You get a lump sum, pay the provider, and repay in fixed monthly payments over a set term. For a smaller cost, like a prescription or co-pay of a few hundred dollars, a payday loan repaid on your next payday can be a quick option. A sample $300 payday loan at $15 per $100 has a $45 fee, so you repay $345.
Enter the amount you need on our form, and lenders in your state will show what they can offer.
Sample monthly payments
| Bill amount | Term | Sample APR | Monthly payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| $800 | 6 months | 36% | $147.68 |
| $1,500 | 12 months | 36% | $150.69 |
| $3,000 | 24 months | 36% | $177.14 |
| $5,000 | 36 months | 36% | $229.02 |
These are examples, not offers. Your lender shows the exact APR and terms before you sign. Run your own numbers:
Personal / installment loan calculator
Estimate only. Your rate depends on your credit, income and state; your lender shows the exact terms before you sign.
Know your exact amount first
Medical bills can change after insurance processes them, so a few quick checks help you request the right amount:
- Ask for an itemized bill listing every charge, and compare it with your insurer's explanation of benefits.
- Ask about discounts. Some providers reduce the bill if you pay in full, which a loan makes possible.
- Ask about financial assistance. Nonprofit hospitals must have a written financial assistance policy under Section 501(r) of the tax code; ask the billing office whether you qualify.
- Confirm the balance due and the date the provider needs payment.
Then request the final amount, so your loan and your payment stay as small as possible. If the provider needs a deposit before scheduling a procedure, ask for the deposit amount and the deadline in writing.
Requirements
- Be at least 18 (19 in a few states) and a U.S. resident
- A valid government-issued photo ID
- Regular income from a job, benefits, self-employment or gig work
- An active checking account for the deposit and repayment
- A working phone number and email address
Many lenders start with a soft credit inquiry that doesn't affect your score. Income from a job, benefits, disability or self-employment can count if it's regular. See loans on disability income.
Medical loans with bad credit
Medical bills are one of the most common reasons people's credit takes a hit, so many lenders in our network are used to working with less-than-perfect credit. They focus on whether your current income supports the payment. Your credit may affect the rate and term you're offered, but it doesn't stop you from applying. Many lenders also use alternative credit data rather than relying only on a traditional score. Tips: show steady deposits, list every regular income source, and choose a payment that fits comfortably. More in loans for bad credit.
How fast you can get funds
- Form: about 3 minutes, any time of day.
- Decision: often within minutes of submitting.
- Funding: often the next business day by direct deposit, and sometimes the same day if you're approved early on a business day.
Banks don't post deposits on weekends or federal holidays, so a Saturday request usually funds on the next business day. To move fastest, apply early on a weekday, use the checking account where your income lands, and answer any verification call or email right away. Once funds arrive, pay the provider directly and keep the receipt.
How to apply through us
- Fill out the form. Enter the amount, your contact details, income and bank information. It takes about 3 minutes.
- Get matched. We send your request to lenders in our network that serve your state.
- Review your offer. If a lender approves you, you see the amount, APR, payment schedule and total to repay before you sign.
- Get your money. Accept, e-sign, and funds are often deposited the next business day.
Zebra Finance is a free loan-matching service, not a lender. Whether you get an offer, and for how much, is up to the lender and your state's rules. You are never obligated to accept.
Related: emergency loans. Request your medical loan — it takes about 3 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a loan for a medical emergency?
Yes. A personal installment loan is a common way to pay medical, dental and hospital bills, and lenders generally allow any legal purpose. Through our network you can request $100 to $5,000. Our form takes about 3 minutes, and approved funds are often deposited the next business day.
Can I get a medical loan with bad credit?
Often, yes. Many lenders in our network consider all credit types and focus on your income and ability to make the payment. Your credit may affect the rate and term offered. No lender can promise approval before reviewing your application, but bad credit doesn't stop you from applying.
Is a personal loan or a payment plan better for medical bills?
It depends on the terms. A provider payment plan may have low or no interest but a short schedule or limited amount, while a personal loan lets you pay the bill in full, sometimes for a discount, and repay in fixed monthly payments. Compare the total cost and monthly payment of each.
How fast can I get a medical loan?
Our form takes about 3 minutes, many lenders decide within minutes, and approved funds are often deposited the next business day. Apply early on a weekday, and have your ID, proof of income and checking account details ready to keep verification quick.
Do hospitals have to offer financial assistance?
Nonprofit hospitals must have a written financial assistance policy under Section 501(r) of the tax code, and eligible patients can't be charged more than amounts generally billed to insured patients for emergency or medically necessary care. Ask the billing office for the policy before you finalize the amount you need.
Sources
- IRS — Financial assistance policy and emergency medical care policy, Section 501(r)(4)
- CFPB — What is a personal installment loan?
- CFPB — What is a soft inquiry?