Best Medical Loans for Bad Credit in 2026
It’s possible to get a medical loan with bad credit, but expect higher rates. Check your estimated rates and compare real offers.
- Medical loans are personal loans used for health care expenses.
- It’s possible to qualify with bad credit.
- Bad credit loans are usually more expensive because they come with high rates.
- You can boost your odds of qualifying by adding a co-borrower or collateral.
What to know about medical loans for bad credit
Medical loans are just personal loans for medical costs. You may still get a medical loan with bad credit, but it will likely come with high rates. Here’s what to expect:
- Higher interest rates and fees: Bad credit loans tend to come with higher APRs — typically above 30%, according to LendingTree research. This makes them more expensive than loans for people with better credit.
- Longer wait to get approved: It can take longer to get approved for a personal loan if you have bad credit, since lenders will take a closer look at your credit report and history. Look into quick loans from reputable lenders if you need money right away.
- Small loans: Personal loan lenders usually offer up to $50,000 or more, but large loans tend to come with strict eligibility criteria. You’re more likely to qualify for a small personal loan if you have bad credit.
Half of Americans who have medical debt have had that debt sent to collections, and 64% say it’s keeping them from their other financial goals. Learn more about the cost of medical debt.
Other ways to pay for medical costs
A medical loan isn’t always the best choice when you have bad credit, but it’s likely better than using a credit card. Consider medical loan alternatives before moving forward.
Provider payment plan
Some doctors and hospitals offer low- or no-interest payment plans to help patients spread out the cost of medical care. Ask your doctor about payment plans and whether they charge interest or fees.
Financial assistance
Nonprofit hospitals offer financial assistance (also called “charity care”) to eligible patients. You’ll usually need to have a low income, but each hospital sets its own rules. It’s worth talking to your provider or the hospital’s social worker to see what financial assistance options they have.
Credit cards
You can charge medical expenses to a credit card, but carrying a balance can get expensive, especially with the high APRs that come with bad credit. A personal loan is likely a better option if you need time to pay it off, since loans come with predictable payments and a set repayment term.
How to boost your chances of getting a medical loan
Bad credit personal loans for medical expenses can be hard to get. Here’s how to boost your chances of qualifying:
- Improve your credit. It will take time and patience to improve your credit score, but doing so will give you better odds of approval and lower rates. Even raising your credit score from “fair” to “very good” could save you an average of $1,804 on a personal loan.
- Dispute credit report errors. It’s possible for errors like a missed payment to appear on your credit reports and hurt your score. Check your credit reports and dispute any errors to give your score a boost.
- Consider offering collateral. Most personal loans don’t require collateral, but you’ll likely have better odds if you put up a valuable asset like a savings account or car. Secured loans are risky, though — your lender will take your collateral if you can’t pay.
- Find a cosigner or co-borrower. Getting a loan with a cosigner who has good credit can significantly boost your odds of getting a loan. If you miss payments, your cosigner’s credit will also take a hit.
- Prequalify with multiple lenders. Getting a few personal loan denials doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road. Check your rates with several lenders and look for lenders that offer prequalification, which doesn’t impact your credit score.
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How to compare medical loans for bad credit
Shopping for medical loans with bad credit can be challenging since you likely won’t qualify for low rates. When comparing lenders, keep the following in mind:
- Rates: A loan’s APR is the cost of borrowing. It includes interest and fees. The higher your rate, the more you’ll pay for your loan. If you have multiple offers, consider the loans with the lowest APRs.
- Monthly payments and repayment terms. The shorter your loan term, the higher your monthly payments — but the less you’ll pay in interest. Choose the shortest loan term with monthly payments you can afford. This will help you save money on interest.
- Lender reputation: See if a lender is legit by looking for regulatory actions from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). You can also check the CFPB complaint database.
- Discounts: Some lenders offer interest rate discounts for things like enrolling in autopay. This can help you cut down the costs of higher interest rates.
- Customer support: Do a web search for the lender’s customer service reviews and check its website for customer service hours. Reconsider the offer if the lender has bad reviews or limited customer service.
- Funding speed: When you need urgent treatment, your lender’s funding timeline is important. While some lenders can take up to five business days to send you money, others offer next-day or same-day funding. That said, lenders can take longer to approve bad credit loans, so start the process as soon as possible.
Best medical loans for bad credit
| Lender | APR | Term | Amount | Min. credit score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5.99% – 29.99% | 36 to 84 months |
$5k – $50k |
620 | |
|
11.99% – 35.99% | 24 to 60 months |
$1.5k – $30k |
None | |
|
8.99% – 35.99% | 24 to 60 months |
$2k – $50k |
560 | |
|
7.74% – 35.99% (with discounts) | 24 to 84 months |
$1k – $50k |
580 | |
|
6.20% – 35.99% | 36 to 60 months |
$1k – $75k |
None |
Read more about how we made our picks for best medical loans for bad credit.
Best for: Better approval odds with collateral — Best Egg
- APR
- 5.99% – 29.99%
- Boost your odds of approval by using your home’s fixtures or your car as collateral
- Get money in as little as 24 hours
- Can change your due date twice (many lenders allow only one extension, or none at all)
- Can’t add a second person to your loan
- Lender keeps 1.49% – 8.99% out of every loan as an origination fee
- Risk losing collateral if you can’t pay
Collateral can make it easier to qualify for a loan, and Best Egg accepts two different types. You can use your home’s permanent fixtures, like built-in cabinets, as collateral for Best Egg’s lowest rates. If you’re not a homeowner, you can use your car as collateral with an auto equity loan.
Secured loans are less risky for the lender, which is why they’re easier to get. However, if you can’t make payments on time, you could lose your collateral.
The rates and terms highlighted above apply to Best Egg’s Secured Loan + Homeowner Discount. Visit the Best Egg website for more information about getting a car equity loan.
Best Egg uses your home’s permanent fixtures as collateral, but no appraisal is needed. Instead, Best Egg will review your credit history and home equity to see if you qualify.
You must also meet the requirements below to qualify for a Best Egg loan:
- Citizenship: Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident living in the U.S.
- Administrative: Have a personal checking account, email address and physical address
- Residency: Not live in Iowa, Vermont, Washington, D.C., West Virginia or in U.S. territories
- Credit score: 620+
Best for: Quick, bad credit medical loans — OneMain Financial
- APR
- 11.99% – 35.99%
California residents must borrow at least $3,000
- Can get your money in as soon as an hour
- No minimum credit requirement
- Can use your car as collateral
- Can borrow only up to $30,000
- Making extra payments might not save you interest
- Lender keeps $25 to $500, or 1.00% – 10.00% out of every loan as an origination fee
It can take longer for a lender to review your application when you have bad credit, but OneMain Financial is an exception. OneMain specializes in bad credit loans, and it’s possible to get your money the same day using your debit card.
It’s also the only lender on this list with brick-and-mortar branches. Getting in-person help could speed along the process if you’re having trouble with your online application.
Unlike most other lenders, OneMain may use precomputed interest. Why is this important? Paying off your loan early might not reduce your interest, since it’s already “baked” into your loan (but you could get a rebate or refund for what you overpaid).
OneMain Financial isn’t transparent about its personal loan eligibility requirements, but it’s possible to qualify even with a credit score as low as . Before closing on a loan, you may need to provide:
- Government-issued ID (such as a driver’s license or passport)
- Proof of residence (such as a rental agreement or utility bill)
- Proof of income (such as pay stubs or tax returns)
OneMain loans are not available in Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, D.C., or in U.S. territories.
Best for: Mobile app features — Prosper
- APR
- 8.99% – 35.99%
- Can prequalify for a loan on the mobile app without giving out your phone number or email address
- Free monthly credit score available on the mobile app
- Getting loans from peers can be easier than from a bank or lender
- In rare cases, it can take up to 14 days to find out if your loan will be funded
- Prosper keeps 1.00% – 9.99% out of every loan as an origination fee
- No customer service on weekends
Loans from peer-to-peer lenders like Prosper are typically easier to qualify for than bank loans — note Prosper’s low minimum credit score. You can use Prosper’s highly rated mobile app to apply without sharing your contact info. Once you’ve finalized your loan, you’ll get free monthly FICO Scores on the mobile app, too.
After Prosper approves you, investors have 14 days to fund at least 70% of your loan. If they don’t, your loan listing will expire and you’ll have to try again.
To get a loan with Prosper, you must meet the following requirements:
- Age: Be 18 or older
- Administrative: Have a U.S. bank account and Social Security number
- Residency: Must live in an eligible U.S. state (Prosper operates in most states, with only a small number of states excluded)
- Credit score: 560+
Best for: Discount opportunities — Upgrade
- APR
- 7.74% – 35.99%
- Rate discount for autopay
- Rate discount for using your car or your home’s fixtures as collateral
- Customer service available seven days a week
- Lender keeps 1.85% – 9.99% out of every loan as an origination fee
Like Best Egg, Upgrade offers APR discounts for using your car or your home’s fixtures as collateral for your medical loan. You can also stack savings by using autopay, which will get you an additional discount on your rate.
Like many other loans for bad credit, Upgrade loans come with a mandatory origination fee that will be reflected in your APR.
To qualify for a loan through Upgrade, you must meet the requirements below:
- Age: Be at least 18 (19 in some states)
- Citizenship: Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or live in the U.S. with a valid visa
- Administrative: Have a valid bank account and email address
- Credit score: 580+
Best for: People new to credit — Upstart
- APR
- 6.20% – 35.99%
- Accepts thin or no credit
- Can still qualify with a lower score
- Most people don’t have to upload documents as part of the loan process
- Can’t add a second person to your loan to help boost your approval odds
- Only two repayment terms to choose from: 36 or 60 months
Upstart is a lending platform that uses AI to determine your creditworthiness. It looks beyond your credit score and considers other factors like your employment and education. This helps it approve people that other lenders would deny.
You’ll have to qualify on your own merit, since Upstart doesn’t let you add a co-borrower to your loan.
Upstart has transparent eligibility requirements, including:
- Age: Be 18 or older
- Administrative: Have a U.S. address, personal banking account, email address and Social Security number
- Income: Have a valid source of income, including a job, job offer or other regular income source
- Credit-related factors: No bankruptcies within the last three years, fewer than six inquiries on your credit report in the last six months, and no current delinquencies
- Credit score: No formal minimum requirement
Before you pay: What to do when you get a medical bill you can’t afford
Before you take out a loan or open a new credit card, it’s important to know that medical bills aren’t like other debts. You can often negotiate medical bills, and they may not affect your credit right away. Try these steps first.
- Confirm the amount with your insurance. If you have insurance, compare the medical bill with your insurance’s explanation of benefits (EOB) to confirm the amount you owe. If you think you owe less, send the EOB to your provider and ask them to fix the amount.
- Check your insurance manual. Go to the glossary or table of contents to find the type of care your bill falls under, then read that section to see how much your insurance company covers. If you believe your insurance provider owes more than they paid, call them and refer to the relevant section of your insurance manual.
- Ask for an itemized bill. Have your doctor send an itemized bill for everything you were charged, and check each line, calling the provider if there are charges you don’t understand. Politely and calmly push back against paying for services you didn’t get or fees and services that appear overpriced.
- Negotiate. Don’t be afraid to be direct: Saying “I can’t afford this bill” will let your provider know where you stand. Ask if there’s anything the provider can do to help, and then be quiet. Your provider may offer a discount, set up a payment plan or refer you to financial assistance. They also may say there’s nothing they can do.
- Seek advice online. Consider asking about your particular bill on Reddit’s r/HealthInsurance page. Although the people responding might not be experts, they could help you think of questions to ask your provider or insurance company, or maybe lead you to a nonprofit specializing in helping those with your medical condition.
- Enroll in credit counseling. A credit counselor can help you understand your options and create a debt management plan to tackle your debt over several years.
- Consider GoFundMe, your family or your community. People may be more willing to help than you think. If you can’t afford your medical bills, consider posting on GoFundMe or asking community organizations for help.
Many people look at medical bills like they’re set in stone, but they’re often not. My family member has complex medical conditions and new medical bills every month. When insurance doesn’t make payments, the provider charges more than expected, or I just don’t understand why I’m being billed, I call the provider and my insurance.
Asking for an itemized bill, pushing back politely with evidence, explaining my situation and asking for options has often resulted in the provider offering discounts and payment plans, or my insurance covering the bill. Providers and insurance companies make mistakes, and it’s often up to the patient or their family to follow up.
How we chose the best medical loans for bad credit
We reviewed more than 40 lenders that offer medical loans for bad credit to determine the overall best five lenders. To make our list, lenders must accept credit scores at or below 600 and offer competitive APRs.
From there, we assessed each lender or marketplace across four categories: eligibility and access; cost to borrow; loan terms and options; repayment support and tools.
According to our standardized rating system, the best medical loans for bad credit come from Best Egg, OneMain Financial, Prosper, Upgrade and Upstart.
Our categories
We assess how easy it is for people to qualify and apply. This includes state availability, soft-credit prequalification, membership requirements, funding speed, and whether borrowers with less-than-excellent credit can get a loan.
We evaluate how affordable the loans are based on minimum and maximum APRs, loan fees and rate discounts. Lenders with unclear or potentially predatory costs receive lower scores.
We consider repayment term flexibility, loan amount ranges, and whether options like secured loans, joint loans or direct-to-creditor payments are offered — plus whether the lender clearly communicates these options.
We evaluate borrower experience after funding: customer service access, hardship or forbearance programs, payment flexibility, and digital tools like mobile apps or credit monitoring.
Our process
We gather data directly from companies through their websites, disclosures and direct communication with company representatives. Our editorial team verifies and updates information regularly. We value transparency and award less favorable scores when lenders obscure or omit details.
Our editorial team applies the same scoring model and standards to every lender. Lenders cannot pay to influence our ratings.
Why trust our methodology?
Our writers and editors dig through the facts, contact lenders directly and even go through the application process ourselves if it helps better explain what you can expect. As a Certified Financial Education Instructor℠, I’m committed to breaking down complex financial details so people can make confident, informed decisions with their money.
Jessica’s experience in editing and financial education helps shape LendingTree articles that are clear, accurate and truly useful to readers. Her certification means our recommendations are built on a foundation of consumer-first financial knowledge — not just numbers.
Frequently asked questions
It’s worth considering a medical loan if you need treatment as soon as possible, if you don’t have insurance, or if your insurance won’t cover your medical expenses. But before you get a medical loan, consider alternatives like provider payment plans and financial assistance.
The credit score you need for a medical loan (or any other personal loan) depends on the lender, but some lenders accept scores below 580 (the threshold for bad credit). You can check your credit score for free at LendingTree Spring.
Each credit card company has its own requirements, so there’s no single credit score needed to get a medical credit card. That said, people with scores as low as 540 have qualified.