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The truth about PatientFi’s 0% promo plans

They really can cost nothing. But only if you clear the full balance before the promo ends. Here’s how that works, what missing it costs, and how to finish at $0.

Check my promoSee an example
Fact-checked Oct 11, 2026 10 min read Sources listed

“Interest is charged during the Promotional Period, but will be waived if the purchase balance is paid in full before the end of the Promotional Period.”

PatientFi Disclosures, promo plan terms

What that means in plain English

  1. The clock starts when your clinic is paid, not on your treatment date.
  2. Interest builds up in the background the whole time, even though you aren’t paying it yet.
  3. Pay every dollar by the deadline and that interest disappears. You paid 0%.
  4. Leave any balance, and the built-up interest stays. The rest becomes a fixed-rate loan; PatientFi’s examples use 32.99% APR.

Two patients. Same $6,000. Same 12-month promo.

The only difference is the monthly payment they picked. Figures come from PatientFi’s own $6,000 disclosure example.

MayaPicks the suggested payment
$500/mo
Month 1Promo ends
Balance $0 at month 12

Interest waived. Total paid: $6,000

SamPays only the minimum
$135/mo
Month 1Promo ends
$4,380 left at month 12

Then 48 payments of $216.51 at 32.99% APR. Total paid: about $12,012

Illustrative names. Sam’s post-promo schedule is PatientFi’s disclosure estimate for a $6,000, 12-month promo; your own terms may differ.

Every promo length tells the same story

PatientFi publishes minimum-payment schedules for each promo length. Paying only the minimum roughly doubles the cost of a $6,000 treatment on most of them.

$6,000if paid in full on time, for every promo length
Total paid on a $6,000 treatment when only the minimum is paid, by promo length Using PatientFi disclosure examples at 32.99% APR after the promo. Paying only the minimum costs between about $9,683 and $12,327 in total, versus $6,000 if paid in full before the promo ends. $6,000 treatment: total paid with minimum payments only Paid in full before the promo ends, every option costs $6,000 Treatment Interest if the promo deadline is missed $0 $3k $6k $9k $12k 3 months $9,683 6 months $12,327 9 months $12,189 12 months $12,012 18 months $11,023 24 months $10,388 Source: PatientFi Disclosures, $6,000 example; totals = promo minimums + post-promo payments at 32.99% APR.
Promo lengthPay this to finish at 0%Minimum during promoPayments after promoTotal if minimum onlyExtra cost
3 months$2,000.00$135.0033 × $281.16$9,683.28+$3,683.28
6 months$1,000.00$135.0054 × $213.27$12,326.58+$6,326.58
9 months$666.67$135.0051 × $215.18$12,189.18+$6,189.18
12 months$500.00$135.0048 × $216.51$12,012.48+$6,012.48
18 months$333.33$165.0042 × $191.73$11,022.66+$5,022.66
24 months$250.00$165.0036 × $178.56$10,388.16+$4,388.16

“Payments after promo” are PatientFi’s disclosure estimates at 32.99% APR. Totals calculated by us.

Your promo, checked

Enter your balance and slide your monthly payment.

$135
LowSuggested $500
$4,380 still owed at the deadlineInterest that built up during the promo would not be waived, and the rest becomes a fixed-APR loan.

Seven habits of people who finish at 0%

  1. Pick “Suggested,” not “Minimum.”When you accept, the minimum is built not to clear the balance in time.
  2. Write down the end date.The promo starts when your clinic is funded. Put the deadline in your calendar the day you accept.
  3. Turn on autopay.No missed months, and a 0.25% APR discount if a balance ever remains.
  4. Choose a length you can finish.$250 a month for 24 months beats $500 a month you can’t keep up.
  5. Pay the last bit early.Clear the final balance a few weeks before the deadline so a slow transfer can’t push you past it.
  6. Track each loan on its own.Every treatment is a separate loan with its own promo clock; PatientFi doesn’t merge loans.
  7. Ask for help before you’re behind.Promo due dates can’t be moved, so talk to PatientFi’s billing team early.

What the CFPB found across medical deferred-interest financing, 2015–2020

20%of purchases ended up charged interest
34%for credit scores below 619
+23%average extra paid when interest hit
FAQ

Promo plans: FAQ

Is a PatientFi promo plan really 0% interest?

Only if you pay the full purchase balance before the promotional period ends. PatientFi's disclosures say interest is charged during the promo and waived if paid in full; otherwise the accrued interest is not waived.

What happens if I don't pay off my PatientFi promo in time?

The interest charged during the promo is not waived, and the remaining balance is amortized at the fixed APR in your loan agreement. PatientFi's disclosure examples use a 32.99% APR.

Will paying the minimum clear my PatientFi promo balance?

No. PatientFi states that making minimum monthly payments will not pay off the entire purchase balance before the end of the promotional period.

When does a PatientFi promo period start?

When your provider is funded, according to PatientFi's disclosures.

How much should I pay each month to stay at 0%?

At least your balance divided by the number of promo months. For a $6,000 treatment on a 12-month promo, that's $500 a month. PatientFi's suggested payment is designed to do this.

Can I change the due date on a PatientFi promo plan?

No. PatientFi says due dates on 0% if paid in full promotional loans are set by the original contract and can't be changed.

Does the autopay discount apply to promo plans?

Yes. PatientFi says its 0.25% autopay APR discount applies to fixed-rate terms and to promotional terms with deferred interest.

Keep reading

Payment calculatorEstimate promo and fixed-rate payments.How to make a paymentPortal, autopay and mail, plus what isn’t accepted.PatientFi vs. CareCredit vs. CherryInstallment loans and medical credit cards, side by side.

Sources

Every figure links to where it came from. Fact-checked October 11, 2026.

Independent guide, not affiliated with PatientFi, Inc. Not financial or legal advice; your loan agreement is the final word.

  1. Official PatientFi pages
  2. 1PatientFi, Disclosures: promo terms and APR examplespatientfi.com/disclosures
  3. 2PatientFi, How It Workspatientfi.com/how-it-works
  4. 3Accepting your PatientFi Transactionsupport.patientfi.com
  5. 4Can I change my payment due date?support.patientfi.com
  6. 5Are there any discounts for setting up Autopay?support.patientfi.com
  7. Consumer research
  8. 6Beware medical credit cards and loans (CFPB findings)aarp.org
  9. 7CFPB report highlighting risks of medical financinggoodwinlaw.com
  10. 8CFPB report identifies pitfalls of medical credit cards and loansrevcycleintelligence.com