Despite poor financial circumstances, your health cannot be ignored. Preventive care and emergency treatments are crucial, but sometimes, you struggle to cover those expenses from your budget. Thankfully, help is not further afield. Medical loans can come in handy. The good thing about these loans is that money is immediately accessible, but they come with certain drawbacks, too.
A medical loan is none other than a personal loan aimed to help you cover medical expenses. They are unsecured, so you do not have to put down your house as collateral. However, you must have a good credit score. Lenders will not repudiate you if your credit history is not up to scratch, but the deals offered will be expensive.
Secured medical loans are also available on the market, but they are aimed to fund larger medical expenses. Medical loans work the same as personal loans. You will be responsible for making fixed monthly instalments over a period of time.
It is always suggested that you carefully obtain a prequalifying letter, especially if you are seeking medical loans for bad credit on guaranteed approval. It would be better to approach a professional loan broker so that you can have genuine loan deal from responsible creditor. It is also importantto minimise your risk of being rejected at the time of applying for the loan. Prequalifying letters could be obtained without hurting your credit score.
Advantages and drawbacks of medical loans
Here are the upsides and downsides of medical loans:
Pros | Cons |
They charge fixed interest rates, so payments are predictable. You can budget around them. | You will have to pay high interest rates. They are more expensive than credit cards if you need a small sum of money. |
You will access money as fast as possible. It normally takes a couple of days. | Bad credit borrowers will find themselves paying a lot more money. There is always a risk of falling into an abyss of debt. |
They are less expensive as compared to other alternatives such as credit cards and a line of credit. | You can borrow up to £50,000, but it depends on the lender how much they feel inclined to lend you after perusing your repaying capacity. |
A lender does not impose restrictions related to treatments you can fund using these loans. | Missed and non-payments could exacerbate your credit report. |
For whom are medical loans ideal?
As medical loans can be expensive and the default on them could have far-reaching effects, it is vital to understand when they are ideal to apply for. You may choose these loans when you meet the following conditions:
- Your credit score is good. Some lenders would want your score to be at least 700. A score below 700 does not preclude you from being accepted, but interest rates will be high.
- These loans are recommended when you need treatment immediately and do not have insurance or enough cash to cover the cost of your treatment.
The maximum borrowing amount you can qualify for
The minimum amount you can borrow through these loans is £500, and the maximum is up to £50,000. Be informed that your credit score and current financial condition are determinants of how much you would be able to borrow. Every lender has its own policy, so it is hard to say what parameters they would follow to approbate your application. Prequalifying letters could potentially give you an idea of how much you would most likely obtain.
What is the repayment term for medical loans?
The repayment term varies between six months and five years, depending on the borrowing amount. However, if the borrowing sum is less than £1,000, the whole debt is supposed to be discharged in full on the due date, which is typically not more than a month.
If you need money only to fund the gap in your savings, you can consider personal loans from direct lenders with no credit check. These alternatives are easier to access when your credit report is not stellar.
Not all expenses could be funded by medical loans
Bear in mind that medical loans cannot be employed to meet all types of medical expenses. They generally aim to meet the cost of important treatments and surgeries, without which a life-threatening situation could arise.
A lender would ask you to know what kinds of treatments you need money for. It is always admonished that you be honest and transparent because the money will be paid directly to the hospital where you are getting treatment. Here are the expenses not covered by medical loans:
- Botox, face-uplifting surgeries
- Dermal fillers
- Hair growth treatments
- Skin rejuvenation treatments
- Collagen injections and cosmetic treatments
- Genital modification
It depends on a lender’s policy on what expenses they cover and what they do not. The aforementioned are the most common expenses for which hardly any lender approves the loan. You should always try to know beforehand so you do not face rejection only because of this reason.
Alternatives to medical loans
Getting the nod for a medical loan is not easy, especially if you need a large amount of money. You should explore other options as well. Chances are they prove to be more affordable.
- If you need a small amount of money, credit cards could be fruitful. They do not charge interest rates if the balance is paid in fell one swoop within the grace period.
- Some hospitals provide financial assistance. Ask your treatment provider if you are eligible for any facility like this.
- Crowdfunding is another method. It can help you avail yourself of deals at lower interest rates.
The final word
When you come across a medical emergency, and you do not have enough money to cover them, medical loans can help you. However, remember that you will need to have a good credit rating. Explore other alternatives because chances are you get a more affordable deal. Research is the key to opting for a better loan to meet your medical expenses.

For over 5 years, Alex Thomas has been working as a noteworthy content writer at Zeolitefunds. After graduating in Economics, he started working in the finance sector. His interest in loans has encouraged him to explore extensively. His write-ups in the form of blogs and articles have shown his exceptional knowledge. Alex’s work is a product of his hard-core research and writing expertise.