How to Pay for Plastic Surgery in Miami

How people pay for plastic surgery: CareCredit, financing and payment plans

Most cosmetic surgery isn't covered by insurance, so patients pay with savings, medical credit cards, personal loans or a practice's own plan. Here is how each works, and the trap to avoid.

By the MiamiSurgeryGuide editorsReviewed by D&D PharmacyUpdated October 11, 20262 min read

At a glance

Patients usually pay for cosmetic surgery with savings, a medical credit card such as CareCredit, a personal or medical loan, or a payment plan offered by the practice. Many medical credit cards use deferred interest: if any balance is left when the promotion ends, interest is charged back to the purchase date. The CFPB found patients paid about $1 billion in deferred interest from 2018 to 2020. Compare the total you'll repay, and pay deposits by credit card to a verified business.

The main ways patients pay

Common ways to pay for elective cosmetic surgery.
Option	How it works	Watch for
Savings	Pay from money you've set aside	Keep a reserve for extra nights, rides and supplies
Medical credit card (for example, CareCredit)	A credit card for health costs, often with a promotional period	Deferred interest; a high rate after the promotion
Personal or medical loan	A fixed amount repaid in fixed monthly payments	The interest rate, fees and total repayment
Practice payment plan	Pay the practice in installments before surgery	Refund terms if your date or surgeon changes

The deferred-interest trap

Many medical credit cards advertise "no interest if paid in full" within 6, 12 or 24 months. Interest still builds up in the background. If even a small balance remains when the period ends, all of it is charged, back to the original purchase date.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reported that patients paid about $1 billion in deferred interest on medical credit cards and loans from 2018 to 2020.
In 2013, the CFPB ordered CareCredit's issuer to refund up to $34.1 million to consumers who were enrolled in deferred-interest plans in medical offices without understanding the terms.

A simple rule

Divide the balance by the number of promotional months, and pay at least that much every month. Set a reminder a month before the promotion ends.

Comparing financing offers

Write down the total you'll repay, including all interest and fees.
Note the interest rate (APR) after any promotional period.
Ask whether interest is deferred or truly waived.
Don't sign up on the spot in a consultation. You can apply later, once you've read the terms.

Several patients in surgery groups describe pushing their date back to pay in cash. Ask how long your quote stays valid. What surgery in Miami really costs · Total trip budget

Protecting your deposit

Pay deposits to a verified business by credit card when you can, not by Zelle or Cash App to a person. Get the refund terms in writing, including what happens if your labs, BMI or surgeon changes. Deposits, refunds and scams · BMI limits

Insurance

Most health insurance doesn't cover cosmetic surgery, and many plans don't cover its complications either. Ask your insurer in writing before surgery.

This page is general information, not financial advice. Sources: CFPB, Medical Credit Cards and Financing Plans (2023); CFPB, order requiring GE CareCredit to refund $34.1 million (2013).

Common questions

Does CareCredit cover plastic surgery?

Many plastic surgery practices accept CareCredit, a medical credit card. Check with the practice, and read the promotional terms before you apply, especially whether interest is deferred.

What is deferred interest?

With a 'no interest if paid in full' promotion, interest builds up in the background. If you haven't paid the whole balance by the end of the promotional period, all of that interest is added, back to the date of purchase.

Is a personal loan better than a medical credit card?

It can be, if the loan's interest rate is fixed and lower than the card's rate after the promotion. Compare the total amount you'll repay, not the monthly payment.

Do Miami practices offer payment plans?

Some do, often requiring the balance to be paid in full before surgery day. Get the schedule, refund terms and what happens if your surgery date moves in writing.

Does insurance pay for cosmetic surgery complications?

Often not. Many health plans exclude cosmetic procedures and may exclude their complications. Ask your insurer in writing, and ask the practice who pays if you need more treatment.