Does Amazon Accept Care Credit in 2022? (What Sellers Should Consider Instead)

As an established ecommerce seller specializing in health and personal care products, I often get questions from new sellers wondering – can you use CareCredit on Amazon?

Unfortunately, the short answer is no – Amazon does not currently accept CareCredit as a payment method, whether you‘re shopping on Amazon.com or in physical Amazon Go and Whole Foods stores.

But why doesn‘t a retail giant like Amazon take CareCredit when it‘s such a popular payment option for healthcare spending? And what alternatives should health-focused sellers consider instead to capture key demographics?

As a seasoned seller with deep expertise in account management, listings optimization, and ecommerce data analysis, I‘ll share my insights below into Amazon‘s CareCredit policy, where you can use CareCredit, what it covers, and smart payment strategies sellers should think about accepting.

Let‘s dive in!

Why Amazon Doesn‘t Take CareCredit

To understand why Amazon isn‘t prioritizing CareCredit integration, you have to consider that the healthcare market represented just 2.5% of Amazon‘s total retail sales last year – a relatively tiny sliver of their business.

And though U.S. healthcare spending hit $4.3 trillion in 2021, Amazon held just 1-2% of that market share. Their health-related offerings still have huge room for growth.

Compare that to Walmart, where over 20% of sales come from healthcare categories. No wonder CareCredit is accepted there!

For now, Amazon is focused more heavily on their core retail staples in other categories beyond health: consumer electronics, home goods, pantry items, clothes, and more.

So from a business perspective, implementing CareCredit sits lower on their priority list until health products make up a larger share of sales. Though that landscape could certainly shift in coming years as Amazon expands their pharmacy services and telehealth offerings.

Alternatives Sellers Should Consider Instead

As an established seller, I always stress the importance of accepting diverse payment forms to open up your target customer base.

While Amazon may not take CareCredit yet, there are other health-focused payment options savvy sellers should be aware of.

SNAP EBT

EBT/SNAP benefits can be used to cover grocery purchases including pantry staples, fresh produce, baby formula and most food items.

Pros:

• Available in 48 participating states currently on Amazon
• Covers formula, nutrition supplements, vitamins, medications, and certain grocery items

Cons:

• Restrictions on prepared foods, hot foods, alcohol, medicine, household supplies
• Purchase limits based on monthly allotted SNAP amount

For sellers, optimizing listings for SNAP eligibility is key. I recommend:

• Checking Amazon‘s EBT eligibility requirements
• Calling out EBT eligibility prominently in product titles, bullets, and descriptions
• Tagging listings accurately with "EBT" keywords

Driving organic search visibility for EBT shoppers can significantly boost health grocery sales. This allows you to cater to cost-conscious shoppers who need essentials covered under SNAP.

FSA/HSA Accounts

Many health product buyers also have Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) or Health Savings Accounts (HSA) to cover medical costs.

Pros

• Used by ~30 million Americans currently
• Covers prescriptions, OTC medications, medical supplies, vision, dental
• Pre-tax savings so buyers seek to maximize value

Cons

• Require prescriptions for certain purchases
• Annual contribution limits ($2750 average for FSA)

As a seller, make sure to highlight FSA/HSA eligibility for relevant healthcare products. Educational content marketing around spending accounts can also attract valuable health-savvy buyers.

PayPal Credit

Though not health-specific, PayPal Credit is accepted by Amazon and offers 6 months special financing on purchases over $99. This flexible "buy now pay later" option appeals to many online shoppers.

The Bottom Line

CareCredit may not be an option on Amazon yet, but as a strategic seller you have an opportunity to get ahead by catering to other forms of healthcare spending.

Make it easy for buyers to pay how they want and watch your health sales grow.

Where Shoppers Can Use CareCredit Instead

Because Amazon doesn‘t accept CareCredit currently, many buyers look to other major retailers that do offer CareCredit as a payment method.

Here are some top national merchants that accept CareCredit both online and in stores:

• Walgreens
• CVS
• Walmart
• Sam‘s Club
• Rite Aid
• Target
• Costco

The key for these retailers is that they offer comprehensive pharmacy services and healthcare product selections in areas like:

• Prescription medications
• Vision centers
• Hearing centers
• Clinic/vaccination services

This depth of health services makes CareCredit a logical payment option for their business model and product mix.

My advice is always to call ahead to your local store and verify CareCredit acceptance before shopping. Retailers‘ participation can vary by location and region.

As an established ecommerce seller, I‘ve learned over the years that accepting diverse healthcare payment forms tailored to your products and customers is essential to capturing key demographics and maximizing sales.

CareCredit acceptance may make sense down the line as Amazon expands further into healthcare offerings. But for now, savvy sellers should focus on alternate options.

What Purchases Are Eligible With CareCredit?

Since CareCredit is designed solely for healthcare expenses, it‘s important to understand what types of purchases are allowed – and not allowed.

Here‘s a quick overview of products and services that buyers can use their CareCredit card for:

Prescriptions

• Prescription eyeglasses
• Prescription medications
• Prescription contacts and supplies

Medical Supplies

• Bandages, gauze, tape, antiseptics
• Thermometers, blood pressure monitors
• Supports, braces, mobility aids
• Diabetes testing supplies

Dental

• Dental checkups, X-rays, cleanings
• Tooth extractions and fillings
• Dentures, bite splints, mouthguards
• Teeth whitening

Vision

• Eye exams
• Eyeglasses
• Contact lenses and solutions
• Corrective eye surgeries
• Vision therapy and training

Hearing

• Hearing tests and evaluations
• Hearing aids and batteries
• Cochlear implants

Wellness

• Chiropractic care
• Massage therapy
• Acupuncture
• Nutrition counseling

Mental Health

• Psychiatrist and psychologist visits
• Therapy and counseling
• Addiction treatment
• Psychiatric hospital stays

And CareCredit can also be used to cover:

• Health insurance copays, deductibles, and coinsurance
• Pediatric care like formula, diapers, wipes, feeding supplies
• Feminine hygiene, incontinence, and personal hygiene products

Purchases NOT allowed include tobacco, alcohol, groceries, gas, general retail, bills, car expenses, or household items outside of health needs.

I recommend sellers reference CareCredit‘s website for full official details on what‘s covered. But this overview hits many of the most common eligible categories.

Key Considerations For Health Product Sellers

As an established ecommerce seller specialized in health and personal care products, I‘ve learned the importance of payment flexibility to win new buyers and increase average order value.

Here are a few tips I recommend for new sellers getting started:

Understand Your Target Customer

• What health conditions or needs do they have?
• What payment options may they already be using? (FSA, HSA, EBT, etc.)
• What buyer demographics want to use credit? Look for options like PayPal Credit that appeal to credit-based shoppers.

Structure Accounts For Healthcare Payments

• Optimize listings for EBT eligibility right away if selling grocery and essentials.
• Activate PayPal Credit if selling higher-ticket healthcare items.
• Set up to accept FSA/HSA payments through seller tools like PayFlex.

Promote Payment Methods

• Call out EBT, FSA/HSA, senior discounts, and major credit card eligibility.
• Share payment methods prominently on product pages, in cart, and at checkout.
• Create blog content and email promotions around payment options.

The time sellers put into understanding payment preferences pays off in loyal, high value customers. Don‘t wait until you‘re at Amazon-size scale to offer diverse payment methods – start from day one!

Should You Accept CareCredit As A Seller?

While CareCredit isn‘t usable directly on Amazon today, some sellers may still benefit from accepting it independently on their own websites or in-store.

Here are a few factors to consider:

Product Mix

CareCredit makes the most sense if you sell deeper healthcare product lines around vision, dental, prescriptions, or medical supplies. Have a wide selection relevant to CareCredit.

High AOV

CareCredit appeals to buyers making larger health purchases between $200-$500+. Ensure your average order value aligns.

Established Brand

Newer sellers likely won‘t get approved. You‘ll need to demonstrate years in business and strong revenue.

Dedicated Base

An existing base of health-focused buyers who already know and trust your brand.

CareCredit integration involves an application process and transaction fees, so weigh costs vs. benefits. But offering diverse payment can significantly expand your buyer reach and order values. Consider your business goals, customers, and products to decide if accepting CareCredit is right for your health brand.

The Bottom Line

Amazon may eventually expand their healthcare selection wide enough to warrant accepting CareCredit. But for now, sellers have alternate options like EBT, FSA/HSA accounts, and major credit cards to capture health-focused shoppers on Amazon.

Major national retailers with comprehensive pharmacy and health services continue to be the best places for shoppers to maximize their CareCredit benefits.

As a seller, the most important thing is understanding your target audience. Adapt your payment methods early on to attract buyers, increase conversions, gain loyal customers, and boost order values.

Payment flexibility is key in health ecommerce. Meet buyers how they want to shop and watch your business thrive.